It’s arguably one of the biggest nights of The Voice season. After getting down to a Top 12, the show has slowed the chopping block a bit recently allowing audiences to fully get behind their remaining favorites. But all that goes out the window tonight as the field is cut from eight to four, with the final four getting a chance to battle it out for The Voice crown next week. So who will move on? Let’s revisit Monday’s performances:
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Sundance Head (Team Blake)
Sundance Head has continually gotten stronger throughout the competition and has the power of Blake’s voting base behind him, but that should not discount the fact that Sundance sealed his spot in the Top Four with a move-the-needle performance of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Perfectly in the pocket and a performance that got stronger with the late addition of a choir, Sundance should be one of the final four with ease.
https://youtu.be/VF3sebS9UWI
We McDonald (Team Alicia)
We McDonald has been a favorite throughout the season and has seemed like Alicia Keys‘ best shot at securing her first victory on the show. That being said, We’s penultimate performance was not exactly her best, but still solid enough that she should advance. Taking on the relatively new song “Scars to Your Beautiful” from Alessia Cara, she captured the more intimate moments of the song with grace before ramping up the beat with a crew of drummers and unleashing the power of her vocal. And props to the wardrobe department with what appeared to be a Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation throwback look. Though not the night’s best performance, We should be in no danger of missing the finals.
https://youtu.be/r_iMkuYXVdg
Billy Gilman (Team Adam)
Much like We, Billy Gilman has been built up so much through the season that it’s hard to image him missing the finals. Choosing Celine Dion’s “I Surrender” may not have been the most inspired choice, but with a show closing spot and a backing orchestra accentuating the powerful and intimate moments, it was still one of the night’s better performances, and when his voice takes off at the end, that seals the deal. Look for Billy to be Adam Levine‘s representative in the finals.
https://youtu.be/WFGmAyGBid4
The Likely Nots
Aaron Gibson (Team Miley)
Aaron Gibson has been on the verge of elimination each of the last three weeks, and even though he aced his collaborative performance with We on “FourFive Seconds,” his solo performance was not the breakthrough moment he needed. Aaron performed the Bryan Adams song “Everything I Do (I Do It For You),” which at times felt like a perfect fit, but other times felt like a strain. There are no saves this time and Aaron’s run will likely end.
https://youtu.be/LhwWTadg1bc
Josh Gallagher (Team Adam)
Adam Levine has long wished for a country singer on his team and he’s gotten Josh Gallagher this far, but after a steady stream of country songs that didn’t really push the boundaries too far, the vocalist chose the ’70s ballad “Danny’s Song” from Loggins & Messina for the Top 8 performance. Gallagher’s twang didn’t work for this reviewer, but it’s a matter of personal taste. There was nothing particularly wrong with Josh’s performance, but it wasn’t the dynamic moment needed to likely push him into the final four.
https://youtu.be/d4QlBFjUINg
The Final Spot Battle (in no particular order)
Ali Caldwell (Team Miley)
Ali Caldwell has gotten stronger by the week and her performance of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” captivated everyone in the house. The red headed vocalist was elegant in a red dress and backed with a full-on color coordinate crew of violin players and her voice was near flawless. Both Alicia and Miley referred to it as a “perfect” performance.
https://youtu.be/hEfM7sz9g6g
Christian Cuevas (Team Alicia)
Christian Cuevas has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, closing the gap on the front-runners and for his Top 8 performance, he decided to explore his Worship Leader background, performing the Israel and New Breed gospel song “To Worship You I Live.” If there was one performer you knew was feeling every word tonight, it was Christian whose voice wavered a bit with the emotion of the track and he was visibly in tears by the end of the performance. With a white-robed choir helping out, it was a moving performance that will make things interesting.
https://youtu.be/YMKs5VPb0Qs
Brendan Fletcher (Team Adam)
Rough voiced vocalist Brendan Fletcher has started picking up steam of late, really finding his way with songs that connect with the listener. So he and Coach Adam pick Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” for his Top 8 track. In one of the most impressive solo performances of the night in terms of production value, Brendan stands alone at the mic surrounded by candles for the intimate performance as a smoke machine creates clouds around his feet. It’s a strong performance, especially backed by the unseen vocalists.
https://youtu.be/84H_dzkTwh4
So where does that leave us? With an excruciating decision to make, of course, and a wish that the final night would be five instead of four.
Predictions for the Final Four:
We McDonald
Billy Gilman
Sundance Head
Ali Caldwell
Predictions for Final Cuts:
Brendan Fletcher
Christian Cuevas
Josh Gallagher
Aaron Gibson
Tune in Tuesday night at 8PM ET/PT on NBC for The Voice results show to see who advances to the finale next week. Who are your picks? Tell us in the Comments section.
