Chance Pena sings ‘Barton Hollow’ on The Voice Live Playoffs

It’s in America’s hands now.

With the live shows underway, the many talented performers on “The Voice” are at the mercy of the nation’s voters.

Things were a little different on Monday night’s episode. Coach Adam brought back Chance Pena and Gwen Stefani welcomed Ellie Lawrence in her team once again.

“Halo” also means the show has had two consecutive weeks with a Beyonce cover, as last week in the final knockouts Team Pharrell’s Riley Biederer sung “XO”.

Team Gwen’s Jefferey Austin is up next and he’s doing Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware. The Maroon 5 singer told him to try and add a little dramatic flare to his performance, and Mitchell took things to the next level. They were Team Blake’s Emily Ann Roberts and Zach Seabaugh, Team Pharrell’s Evan McKeel and Mark Hood, and Team Adam’s Shelby Brown.

She is going way modern with this song, as she is taking on the Adele song that is so popular right now.

While it may not have been quite the same incredible performance Regina gave in the knockouts, she certainly gave this tough Adele number everything she had. It ended up being flawless for her tone and range. Keith said this song is a ballad for the ages.

There were no ringing endorsements from the coaches for Keith, but he clearly has a natural talent. Blake said this wasn’t the over-top performance we are used to seeing, but he is consistent.

For such a young vocalist who was discovered while singing in a bowling alley, Shelby certainly looked comfortable on the biggest stage of her life. Before she took the stage, her coach opted to bring in her personal stylist team to give her a stage-ready look. He sang “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt. Old grudges never die. Adam says he was the only chair that turned for him and then Blake got him and he got him back with the save. Yep, doesn’t that make it just that much harder for a female coach to win, when her artists aren’t given the “featured” treatment as much?

The signature thick-framed glasses and long braided hair were both gone, and Korin graced the stage with elegance in a flowing red dress. She sang “Adia” by Sarah McLachlan. Gwen says she knew she had it in her. The previously eliminated contestant was brought back by her coach this season and she didn’t waste the opportunity. Gwen is on her feet as is the audience.

Sam Smith, watch your back. Great job connecting with that song.

The coaches heaped praise upon Jeffery. He performed “To Be Me With You” by Mr. Big. Gwen says she feels protective of him and says his voice is tender and beautiful and loved that he got wild at the end and says he looks so cute. Right now, without him, the show has no one to fill that specific style – which might just be enough to keep him around for a long time in the early rounds.

Gwen fawned over him with her usual motherliness, saying that Braiden looked “so, so cute tonight”. We’d say so. This was a competent performance, but the show did him ultimately zero favors here by forcing him to go at the very start of the show. She kills this really challenging song.

COACHES’ THOUGHTS – Blake told her to please do a Christmas album someday and she was on-point tonight.

What did you think of Viktor Kiraly, “All Around the World”?

He certainly challenged himself with runs that reached sky-high registers, and he was able to mix in a few suave dance moves at the same time.

Next up is a brand new change for this season – the comeback artist. “Team Gwen, overall, is whipping the crap out of Team Adam tonight”.

The reason was ultimately predictable. He sang “Barton Hollow” by The Civil Wars.

Chance Pena was a one-chair turn who has hung on by a thread.

Team Adam’s stolen artist Amy Vachal is up next. He was hitting high notes that could have made Adam Levine blush (though he didn’t) and demonstrated his ability to dance and get the crowd excited.

Chance’s bumpy road to the live shows is an inspiring one, and so far he’s had luck on his side.

The last performance on Live Playoffs Part 1 was delivered by Jordan Smith from Team Adam.