‘The Voice’ recap: Sting joins 1st live episode of the season as contestants’ fate is in America’s hands

The Voice is officially live!

The Top 8 contestants took the stage for the first live episode of Season 26, where each hopeful sang twice: a solo performance and a special duet covering a Sting classic. For the first time this season, it’s up to America to decide which five singers they want to advance to the Finals.

If that wasn’t enough pressure for the remaining Voice contenders, Sting — who served as a mega-mentor during the Knockout round — accompanied the duet performances on the bass. And this won’t be the last time Sting will be on The Voice either. He teased a special collaboration stage with Snoop Dogg next week.

Find out which singers from the Top 8 rose to the challenge on their first taste of The Voice live shows.

Christina Eagle (Team Snoop)

Performance: “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain

The last country singer in the competition and Snoop’s “shining star” performed a lively rendition of the Shania Twain classic to open the live episode.

Reba McEntire praised Eagle’s cover, which was a strong opener but certainly left us wanting more, as a “great representation of what this show is all about — energy, fun and great talent.”

Her coach, Snoop, lauded her “great stage presence [and] vocal control,” even saying she was “Reba incarnated.”

Jan Dan (Team Gwen)

Performance: “Open Arms” by Journey

Dan did his best with Journey’s power ballad for his individual number, but the soul singer failed to make a lasting impression. Even so, the coaches were congratulatory.

“That’s a Steve Perry song and the fact that you could make it yours,” Michael Bublé said, adding that he was a fan of his vocal runs.

Gwen Stefani was more affected by Dan’s overall growth, telling her protégé, “We’re on live TV and you’re able to be so composed and so yourself. Every single note was perfect.”

Adam Bohanan (Team Reba)

Performance: “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

Dubbed the “one-chair wonder,” Bonahan showed off his vocal skills with a relaxed cover of the iconic Marvin Gaye song and showcased his ability to work the crowd.

Stefani liked Bonahan’s “smooth” voice, giving him kudos for pulling off a performance that seemed “so natural.” Meanwhile, McEntire said he was “infectious” and it was his “happiness [and] joyfulness” that moved her.

Sydney Sterlace (Team Gwen)

Performance: “When the Party’s Over“ by Billie Eilish

Is Sterlace one of the frontrunners? Even after turning 16 during the season, she proved once again that, in her case, age really is just a number. Her entire performance was perfect, from the song choice to the background ballet dancers to her high notes.

It was clear Snoop felt the same way, telling her he always “shed[s] a tear” when she sings; Bublé complimented her on expertly navigating the song’s tricky low notes. Stefani, Sterlace’s coach, was floored by her performance.: “I’m blown away…You make us all feel something and that’s what’s so special about you. Vote for her!” she said.

Shye (Team Bublé)

Performance: “The Joke“ by Brandi Carlile

Is Shye another Voice favorite? If it were up to the coaches, she may have sung her way to the Finals with her beautiful take on the Brandi Carlile ballad. Her unique vocal tone has always been her secret weapon and it paid off in her powerful, emotional cover.

McEntire applauded her “round-bodied voice,” while Bublé — who has been vocal about Shye’s talents since the very beginning — simply described her as “the truth,” comparing her to vocal powerhouses Adele, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion.

Jeremy Beloate (Team Snoop)

Performance: “I (Who Have Nothing)“ by Tom Jones

More naturally attuned to theatrical songs, Beloate chose a different path with his Tom Jones cover. Though his performance had some misses, he was still able to remind the coaches (and viewers) just how powerful his voice can be when given the right opportunity.

Stefani rightly told Beloate, “There’s nobody like you,” while Snoop pushed America to vote for Beloate: “Push those numbers… quit playin’!”

Danny Joseph (Team Reba)

Performance: “I Was Wrong” by Chris Stapleton

Joseph was on a mission to prove he was more than a rock singer who belts. He accomplished his goal by performing a country song with his own verifiable twist, adding an interesting guitar solo in the middle that even surprised McEntire.

“You looked great, you sounded great,” she said. “I loved the things you selected to play on the guitar — it was different from rehearsals but I loved it.”

Sofronio Vasquez (Team Bublé)

Performance: “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley

The Voice saved Vasquez to close out the live Semifinals episode and the “Filipino phenom,” as Bublé called him, did not disappoint. Covering an Elvis song can be daunting, but Vasquez aced his version of “If I Can Dream” with his smooth voice and strong technique. s. Bublé remarked on Vasquez’s strength, alluding to some adversity in his life, saying, : “You walk out here and you take the brass ring.”

Best Sting-themed tribute

There were four special duet performances of classics by Sting or The Police, but only one stood out: Sydney Sterlace and Shye’s exquisite duet of “Fields of Gold.”

The Voice’s youngest competitors’ voices blended seamlessly together, giving the audience a feast for the senses.

A look ahead to the next episode

Only five singers will advance to next week’s Finals. The viewers control the singers’ fates, with the results unveiled during Tuesday’s episode. Who will be one step closer to being crowned the newest Voice champion?

The Voice returns Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel