Ashley here to live blog The Voice as Season 27 kicks off the first night of Knockouts!
This round of competition will feature two constants from each team – Team John Legend, Team Kelsea Ballerini, Team Michael Buble, and Team Adam Levine – going head to head. Each contestant will perform a solo song and their coach will choose a winner to move on to the Playoffs. There will be no saves, and each coach gets to steal one losing contestant.
BD.ii vs Kolby Cordell – Team Legend
BD performs “Back To One” by Brian McKnight and sounds a bit shaky but nails the falsetto.
Kolby takes on a ballad with “Lately” by Stevie Wonder and remains strong throughout the entire song.
Adam says he was transfixed by BD and wonders if there was strain in Kolby’s voice. Kelsea compliments BD’s song choice and says Kolby reminds her of Legend. Michael says BD’s song choice was emotional and compliments Kolby’s rasp. John says Kolby has a soulful, raspy voice, while he was concerned about BD’s song choice at first but wound up being fantastic.
John chooses BD.
Adam and Michael immediately steal Kolby. Kolby chooses Team Adam.
Grace-Miller Moody vs Lucia Flores-Wiseman – Team Adam
Grace-Miller nails the song choice with “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac and lends her raspy twang to each note. And sidenote, I love her outfit!
Lucia sings “Slow It Down” by Benson Boone has a gorgeous Adele meets Meghan Trainor vibe going on.
John gives them a standing ovation. Kelsea says Lucia is a modern day Amy Whitehouse and Grace-Miller offered the perfect amount of female rage. Michael says he enjoyed Grace-Miller the more she got into the song and then compliments Lucia’s vibrato. John compliments the clarity in Grace-Miller’s voice, but admits he would choose Lucia. Adam says Grace-Miller has a way that her voice cuts that is special, while Lucia embodies all the best things about what a singer should be.
Adam chooses Lucia.
Dan Kiernan vs Tinika Wyatt – Team Kelsea
Tinika sings “Best of My Love” by The Emotions and equally sounds and looks stunning, but didn’t fully prove herself until the second half of the song.
Dan sings a beautiful rendition of “Impossible” by Shontelle. I’m getting Scott Hoying of Pentatonix vibes with him! That moment of breathless lyrics followed by rocking out was unforgettable!
Michael says Dan was entertaining and felt the Holy Spirit ripping through him during Tinika’s performance. John compliments Dan’s intention behind each note while Tinika sang her face off. Adam says Dan’s voice fills the whole room and Tinika’s vocal lit up the room. Kelsea says she feels a connection to Dan, but thinks it’s a joy as a coach to be in Tinika’s presence.
Kelsea chooses Tinika.
Barry Jean Fontenot vs Simone Marijic – Team Buble
Simone sings “She Used To Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles and adds a beautiful amount of emotion to her voice like she’s right there singing it on Broadway!
Barry sings “Haven’t Met You Yet” by his coach and brings such a fun vibe to the stage of Simone’s emotional performance while putting a spin on Michael’s hit.
Kelsea calls Barry magnetic and Simone has a musical theater quality to her voice. John suggests Barry add artistry and flavor going forward and compliments Simone’s cracks. Adam tells Barry to let go and say Simone was connected. Michael compliments Simone’s effortless falsetto and says Barry is loveable and did a great job.
Michael chooses Barry.
Ethan Eckenroad vs Trevon Dawson – Team Adam
Ethan sings a slowed down version of “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty and is as if Noah Kahan was a balladeer. Such a beautiful tone.
Trevon sings “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks and Dunn and has this silky smooth country voice that you can’t help but enjoy.
Chelsea calls Trevon’s runs “yummy country” and compliments Ethan’s imperfections. Michael says Ethan’s interpretation was beautiful and Trevon reminds him of himself. John compliments the crackle in Trevon’s voice and calls Ethan a male songbird. Adam loved Trevon’s youthfulness and the way Ethan captures people.
Adam chooses Ethan.
Angie Rey vs Iris Herrera – Team Kelsea
Iris sings “Jolene” by Ray LaMontagne and holds perfect raspy notes throughout it. That felt like a classic reality singing competition performance, in the best way.
Angie performs a beautiful rendition of “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson and kills the ending!
Michael says Angie has a rich, soulful depth and Iris has a unique voice. John says Iris is a compelling singer and Angie’s felt centered and spiritual. Adam says he’s seen the most growth from Angie and they all liked Iris from the beginning. Kelsea says they both have a firecracker quality, Iris’s voice is a storyteller voice and Angie is amazing.
Kelsea chooses Iris.
Michael steals Angie.
