The live playoffs are officially underway on The Voice and for the remaining singers of Teams Gwen and Adam, that meant do-or-die time.
After The Voice results of Monday night put three members of Team Alicia and Team Blake through to the top 12, who would join them?
The performances kicked off Tuesday night with Gwen Stefani’s team and her comeback artist (each coach gets one) Johnny Gates.
He sang “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez, after which Alicia Keys called him the male version of Stefani.
That would make him the real deal, but would voters agree? Or prefer Troy Ramey, who performed Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”?
Gwen felt that Ramey produced an effort from a different zone, and a deeper place within himself, than she had seen before.
Quizz Swanigan, the youngest artist in a competition full of them, took the stage next for a rendition of the all-time classic “My Girl.”
He loves Motown and has a crush on someone, making it a great song choice – and he turned in a performance beyond his years.
Brennley Brown, another youngster, took on “Fly” by Maddie & Tae, accompanying herself on the guitar and making Blake regret cutting her.
JChosen then honored Prince with the Purple One’s hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” an emotionally and technically difficult task he was up to.
Team Gwen’s final artist was Hunter Plake, whose version of “Elastic Heart” by Sia was equally ambitious, but one of the night’s best.
Clearly, voters – and Gwen – had tough decisions ahead.
It was a tough act to follow for Team Adam, whose ranks included Johnny Hayes, the comeback artist, on “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”
The Temptations’ hit proved a great choice; Hanna Eyre, who picked “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato, was also a powerhouse on Tuesday.
Josh West was up next, taking on Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” at Levine’s suggestion, and Adam felt he did a “kick ass” job of it.
Levine had Mark Isaiah sing “All Time Low,” but the performance was anything but, showing that he has the chops to be a pop performer.
With the kind of diverse rosters we’re seeing from each team these days, it’s going to come down to stage presence and fan support.
Next up, Lilli Passero sang “It’s Too Late” by Carole King, and what resulted was an authentic, emotional effort that kept fans riveted.
Jesse Larson, who sang “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, showed off his musicality with his voice and guitar, blowing the coach’s mind.
Would it be enough to survive The Voice results, though?
For Team Gwen: America cast its votes for Brown and Plake; Stefani chose Ramey, based on the progress she’s seen in recent weeks.
Swanigan, Gates and JChosen are going home.
For Team Adam: America voted for Larson and Passero; Levine chose to bring Isaiah to complete the Top 12 for Season 12 on NBC.
Hayes, Eyre and West are going home.
Next week, the final dozen sing for America’s votes once again. Do you agree with The Voice results from the Live Playoffs?