Heading in to the second night of battles on The Voice Season 30, Riley Green and Kelly Clarkson were on the edge of their chairs awaiting a decision from Team Queen’s Kayleigh Mathews on which team she’d join.
Queen Latifah chose Kayleigh’s opponent as the winner of the battle on Oct. 12, but both Riley and Kelly went in for the Steal. Hoping to tap into Riley’s “great traditional country catalogue” of songs, Kayleigh decided to join Team Riley at the top of Tuesday night’s episode.
In the Battles Round, each team presents six head-to-head duets with the coaches selecting one winner to advance to the all new Cut Week round. There are four Steals on the table, giving each coach a single chance to save an eliminated artist from one team and bring them over to their own. Serving as guest advisors throughout the round are Carly Pearce for Team Riley, Ariana DeBose for Team Kelly, Patti LaBelle for Team Queen, and Alex Warren for Team Adam.
Read on for our recap of the six battles from The Voice’s “The Battles, Part 2,” which aired Oct. 13 on NBC.
BigCountry vs. Luke Cope
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Luke Cope and BigcountryTrae Patton/NBC
Team Queen
Song: “Tennessee Whiskey”
Patti’s advice: Patti called Luke out for being “a little afraid” in rehearsals so she urged him to use the power that she can tell he has. After some more practice, Patti was happy enough with the product that she threw a highlighter at them to convey that they were attacking the song to her liking.
Coaches’ comments: Riley found what Luke did on the song to be unique, but Adam preferred BigCountry because he thinks “the other elements” like his big personality will play into the show better. Queen said they “sound amazing together,” highlighting Luke’s ability to get through the emotion that was present during rehearsal and BigCountry’s commitment to the performance.
Result: BigCountry wins
Anna McElroy vs. Johnnie Kapua
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Johnnie Kapua and Anna McElroy Griffin Nagel/NBC
Team Kelly
Song: “Some Things I’ll Never Know”
Ariana’s advice: Ariana had “no notes” except to offer that they only riff if it’s what is naturally coming out of them because “less is always more.”
Coaches’ comments: Adam and Riley thought that Anna was the better performer in this battle and all of the coaches noted Johnnie’s nerves playing a role in his part. Kelly told them that they both made her want to get on stage to perform with them, noting Johnnie’s “special tone” and the rasp in Anna’s voice that is “so attractive.”
Result: Anna McElroy wins
Brendan Coulter vs. Keiyana Osmond
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Brendan Coulter and Keiyanna Osmond Cory Osborne/NBC
Team Riley
Song: “She Will Be Loved”
Carly’s advice: Carly appreciated the “dance” that Brendan and Keiyana achieved in switching the high harmonies between the two of them.
Coaches’ comments: Kelly is “craving to see” more of Brendan in future rounds, but Adam was unwilling to choose a winner on his own song. Riley told Brendan that his “vocal talent can rival anyone on the show” and Keiyana has “something about [her] that is so interesting.”
Result: Keiyana Osmond wins
Evan James vs. Luke Curran
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Evan James and Luke CurranGriffin Nagel/NBC
Team Adam
Song: “Wind Up Missin’ You”
Alex’s advice: Alex told the guys that they “both have unique strong choices” which presents them the challenge of having to tighten up their harmonies. He said that they’re “both gonna have to do a little bit of giving to make it work.”
Coaches’ comments: Riley thought Evan was more suited to the song and so he thought Adam should choose him as the winner, but Kelly was in to Luke’s “storyteller vibe.” Adam admitted to going back and forth between the two, hearing “pitch things on both sides.”
Result: Evan James wins
Hazel Gerson vs. Nina Howland
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Hazel Gerson and Nina Howland Griffin Nagel/NBC
Team Kelly
Song: “Breathe Me”
Ariana’s advice: Ariana was complimentary about Nina’s vibrato, but pinpointed her choice on the word “ouch” to see if there was something else she could do there.
Coaches’ comments: Adam favored Nina while Riley was intimidated by Hazel’s mom staring him down from the audience. Kelly called Hazel “more outward” and Nina “more introverted” in the way that they perform. Stuck between the two, Kelly went with the artist that she thought would do better in the “gauntlet” of the lives.
Result: Nina Howland wins
Chari vs. Marcus Ladden Jr.
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Marcus Ladden Jr. and Chari Trae Patton/NBC
Team Queen
Song: “On My Own”
Patti’s advice: Patti was impressed by their first pass through her own song, noting only that they can “find that one person” in the audience to connect with so that they deliver an authentic vocal.
Coaches’ comments: Both Kelly and Adam would have selected Chari as the winner, but made sure to give Marcus credit for stepping up and executing on her level. Queen complimented them both for rising to the occasion of making the song their own. She called Chari “extraordinary” in finding her way through the song that she actually thought was more comfortable for Marcus.
Result: Chari wins; Kelly steals Marcus Ladden Jr.
The updated teams (Battle winners/steals are italicized):
TEAM KELLY: Anna McElroy, Brianna Cameron, Brooklyn Marie, Kavi Nyx, Koumba Diallo, Kyle Davis, Marcus Ladden Jr., Matthew Chiu, Nina Howland, Saade
TEAM RILEY: Allie Rae, Brayden Howell, Cade Mower, Everett Bounds, Ferryn & Brinkley, Harmony McKee, Joe Henley, Kayleigh Mathews, Keiyana Osmond
TEAM QUEEN: Alt Bloom, BigCountry, Brandon Diaz, Bryan Jaymes, Chari, Lillie Kolich, Mia Knight, Sophia Liano
TEAM ADAM: Amanda Mikkel, Connor Closs, Dakota Cohen, Destinee Monroe, Evan James, Julia Clark, Lexi Stephens, Marilyn Hucek, Owen Uffens, Wade Turner