The Voice returned for its 15th season on NBC tonight, with Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson settling into the coach seats for the Blind Auditions. Coaches have one block this spherical, which they’ll use to disqualify one other coach from the working.
First up was 15-year-old singer Sarah Grace, singing “Ball and Chain” by Janis Joplin. She has expertise enjoying piano in a band together with her household and gravitates towards the blues. Clarkson turned first, adopted by Shelton and Hudson. Clarkson praised her “stank face” whereas performing, and Hudson equally mentioned she might sense her sturdy stage presence with out even seeing her. Grace joined Team Kelly.
Tyshawn Colquitt, who has a cake enterprise along with his mom, was up subsequent. He sang “Like I Can” by Sam Smith, turning the chairs of Hudson and Shelton along with his clean voice and heat tone. Colquitt appeared to have his thoughts made up earlier than the coaches even made their pitches: He joined Team Jennifer. “Your voice is limitless,” Hudson mentioned.
The 17-year-old artist Tyke James gave a folky efficiency of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran subsequent, accompanying himself on the guitar. Levine was the one coach to show, so he joined Team Adam by default.
Ayanna Joni, who has labored professionally as an actor and singer, got here to The Voice hoping to take her profession to the subsequent degree. She sang “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato and had some pitch points, so she didn’t flip any chairs. However, she was chosen as a comeback artist, which suggests she is going to compete towards different Blind Auditions rejects in The Voice’s on-line sequence The Comeback Stage and presumably rejoin the principle competitors later within the season.
After failing to show a chair final season, Mercedes Ferreira-Dias got here again to sing Sara Bareilles, vowing to not maintain again this time. Sure sufficient, she snagged two turns on the final second this time round, with Shelton and Clarkson going head-to-head for the artist. She stunned by becoming a member of Team Blake regardless of being a greater style match for Clarkson’s staff.
The subsequent artist, 19-year-old Radha, cited her father as considered one of her musical inspirations. She sang “Mama Knows Best” by Jessie J and impressed Levine, Hudson and Shelton. Levine selected to dam Hudson, which labored in his favor, as a result of Radha joined Team Adam. “I think you could win, and I think it’s with me,” Levine mentioned.
Kameron Marlowe sang “One Number Away” by Luke Combs. He was a simple, radio-ready nation artist, so Shelton clearly turned. But Clarkson via her hat within the ring, too. A giant Shelton fan, Marlowe unsurprisingly joined Team Blake.
Clarkson obtained one other likelihood to go for a rustic artist when Mikele Buck took the stage along with his efficiency of “She Used To Be Mine” by Brooks & Dunn. Clarkson and Shelton each turned once more, however this time Team Kelly landed the nation artist, with some backup help from Levine.
Sam Hastings’ efficiency of “Angela” by The Lumineers didn’t flip any chairs.
Patrique Fortson was the second-to-last artist of the evening. He gave a soulful efficiency of “Get Here” by Oleta Adams. Fortson recorded a gospel album when he was simply 7-years-old, and his expertise got here via in his audition. Levine and Hudson each turned.
As is The Voice custom, the primary evening of the Blind Auditions ended with a four-chair flip. It went to 13-year-old artist Kennedy Holmes, who sang “Turning Tables” by Adele. “I think you’re the best vocalist that has auditioned this year,” Shelton mentioned. “You sound so beautiful,” Clarkson added. Hudson pulled out the transfer the place she will get on stage and sings with the artist, and it did the trick: After their temporary duet of Hudson’s personal “I Am Changing,” Holmes joined Team Jennifer.
The Blind Auditions proceed tomorrow evening on NBC.
This article initially appeared in THR.com.
