‘The Voice’ Recap: Riley Green Is Torn Between 2 Country Acts as the Battles Begin

The October 6 episode of The Voice officially marked the end of the Season 30 Blind Auditions. Adam Levine, Riley Green, Queen Latifah, and Kelly Clarkson filled up all 12 spots on their teams and then the Battle Rounds began.

Going into the episode, Green, Levine, and Clarkson all had two spots left on their teams, while Latifah had just one coveted spot left. The First-In buttons were all used up, so it was up to the coaches to really sell themselves to the artists they wanted to nab.

Scroll down for a recap of the night’s performances and to find out where the teams stand.

Lillie Kolich

Kicking off the night’s performances was Lillie Kolich with a “more emotional” rendition of Sombr’s “Back to Friends.” Levine and Clarkson had their hands hovering over their buttons, but it was a quick push from Green that got them to also turn around. Latifah also eventually joined in on the fun, making this a four-chair turn.

Green immediately connected with Lillie when she revealed that she lives in Nashville and frequents his bar often. “I heard a storyteller and all I want to do is help you tell that story,” he told her.

Clarkson told Lillie she’s “rad” and raved over her tone. “That song, I never even thought about being turned into that vibe,” she admitted. “I loved your choices. You made it your own. That was vey smart, very strategic, and going to serve you well in this competition.”

Levine was ready to give his pitch, though. “I love that you chose that song. The coolest thing about your voice is that in the beginning, it had more of a softer presence and I loved that, but then I heard you open up more and realized, oh wow, there’s a lot more dynamic in your voice,” he said, while also promising Lillie that he “knows how to do this show” and would be an “amazing coach” for her.

Finally, Latifah praised Lillie for making the song her own. “You designed a smash hit Sombr record for Lillie, and for me, if you’re able to do that, you’re able to do anything,” she raved. In the end, it was Lillie’s decision, and she surprisingly picked Latifah, despite seemingly leaning towards Clarkson or Green.

Brendan Coulter

Brendan Coulter previously came to audition in Season 25 of The Voice, but the teams filled up before he could take the stage. He came back and sang “Liar” by Jelly Roll, hoping for a chair turn from Clarkson or Green. He got his wish, with Green turning first, then Clarkson sweeping in at the end.

Green noted that he would be a “great fit” for Brendan, but Levine pointed out that Clarkson would probably be a better fit since she is a crossover pop/country artist like Brendan wants to be.

“I like people who care about what they’re singing. The song was very smart,” Clarkson said, and Green made sure to jump in to let Brendan know that he can also sing other genres. Brendan admitted he was “dead set for a while” on picking Clarkson, but he ended up going with Green after the country singer’s pitch.

Jalissa

Jalissa, a music teacher, took the stage next to sing. Her rendition of “Sweet Thing” by Rufus and Chaka Khan unfortunately did not score her any chair turns.

“You have a badass voice. Your voice is so cool. That would’ve been a great song for you to do during the competition, but in a Blind Audition, I like a song that creates a little bit of space,” Clarkson said, adding, “You have a really cool voice and the high notes were so good.”

Kavi Nyx

From the moment 17-year-old Kavi Nyx let out the first note of Billie Eilish‘s “Wildflower,” Clarkson and Levine pushed their buttons. Green followed shortly afterwards as well.

“You did a really cool thing,” Clarkson told the teenager. “It was purposeful and so beautiful. I actually think you should hold onto that because it separates you from the pack.” She also told her how she could help her with “breath control” moving forward.

“I loved that performance,” Levine said. “You throwing things in there from other scales…” He also praised her when she revealed how she brought her Indian culture into the performance.

“That was the most personality that I’ve heard in a vocal since we’ve been here. Your smallest moments were still as big as your biggest moments in that song,” Green added. Kavi went with Clarkson as her coach, admitting, “I think it was decided before I came on here for a while.”

Isabella Juliet

Isabella Juliet, who has been missing one of her hands since she was a child, still managed to impressively play guitar while singing “Things a Man Oughta Know” by Lainey Wilson.

Unfortunately, with the teams filling up, the coaches were being pickier than usual, and no one turned around. “You’ve got an awesome voice, it was very believable. It was really close for me. It was tough. I hope you keep doing it,” Green told Isabella.

“The nerves to me, I think, is what got it,” Levine admitted. “I make the most mistakes up there of almost anybody, but you gotta not worry about making them. But you do have a beautiful voice.” Before she left the stage, Green got up there with her so they could duet.

Evan James

Evan James performed Morgan Wallen‘s “Wasted on You,” noting that he hopes to have a career that takes off like Wallen’s did after being on The Voice. When Clarkson pushed her button, the guys quickly followed, leaving Evan with three coaches to choose from.

Clarkson applauded the way Evan put his own take on the song. “I turned around because you deserve to be on the show and I’d love to have you on my team,” she added.

Green said, “For me, it started out a little slow. You’re probably a little nervous. This is a strange setting, it’s not like playing back home. But you cranked it up, man, which is a hard thing to do in a short amount of time.” And Levine added, “Here I am again turning around for a country artist. It’s sad for me. I never get any country artists on my team.”

The Maroon 5 singer reminded Evan that Clarkson and Green both have country artists on their teams, so he’ll be able to stand out more as the sole country singer on his team. Evan decided to “take a leap of faith” and go with Levine as his coach.

Lance Tenazas

Hip-hop dancer Lance Tenazas came to The Voice to put his singing at the forefront. His performance of “Risk It All” by Bruno Mars earned chair turns from Clarkson, then Green later on.

“I love the urgency in your voice. That little rasp, it’s right there at the top of your range at moments, and the verses … that breathy work you’re doing,” Clarkson gushed. “You have, like, two sets of lungs. That was really killer and different. We haven’t heard anybody like you yet.”

Clarkson also said she was looking for someone to fill the last spot on her team who is “special” and “unique,” and noted that Lance could be that person. Green told Lance, “I love that you came out with the guitar and played. You made that your own, which is always a great thing here. But you also have a tone that’s recognizable and that’s something that’s invaluable.”

The decision was in Lance’s hand. He decided to pick Clarkson as his coach, filling up her team.

Bela Pierce

Rock singer Bela Pierce auditioned with “Just a Girl” by No Doubt. But with just two spots left, the guys had to be extra picky, and neither coach turned for Bela.

“It started off really good, but I think as it went on, there were all these long extended notes and if you don’t nail every single one of those, it’s noticeable. It was good. I think it’s largely a matter of song choice,” Levine confirmed.

Wade Turner

For his Blind Audition, Wade Turner performed “This Town” by Niall Horan and he caught the attention of both Green and Levine, who pushed their buttons for Wade.

“Everything about that was perfect and then you cranked it up. I might have been a millisecond before Adam…” Green pointed out. “You went in a direction with a note that was unique and that’s what we’re looking for on this show, something that’s unique and has their own sound.”

Green also told Wade that he has no one like him on his team and said he wants to add that vibe.

“I loved how you made me feel when I was watching you sing,” Levine gushed. “You really did a great job of us bringing everybody into it and engaging with us. I’m a fan of yours.” Wade picked Levine as his coach.

Brayden Howell

The final audition of the night was from Brayden Howell, who sang “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks. This, of course, was the perfect pairing for Green, who pressed his button and added Brayden to his team.

“I got great news, my team is not full. You already turned this place into a honky tonk one time, but let’s get together on something!” Green assured his newest team member.

Here’s where the teams stand after the Blind Auditions! Scroll down to see all the teams and to find out how the Battle Rounds began.

Team Queen Latifah
BigCountry
Marcus Ladden Jr.
Mia Knight (First-In button)
Alt Bloom
Morgan Lett
Bryan James
Sophia Liano
Chari
Brandon Diaz
Luke Cope
Kayleigh Mathews
Lillie Kolich

Team Riley Green
Joe Henley
Ferryn & Brinkley
Caroline Alexis
Harmony McKee
Kenna Elpers
Cade Mower
Allie Rae (First-In button)
Everett Bounds
Keiyana Osmond
Brandy Neelly
Brendan Coulter
Brayden Howell

Team Kelly Clarkson
Hazel Gerson
Brianna Cameron
Koumba Diallo
Johnnie Kapua (First-In button)
Kyle Davis
Brooklyn Marie
Saade
Anna McElroy
Nina Howland
Matthew Chiu
Kavi Nyx
Lance Tenazas

Team Adam Levine
Destinee Monroe
Owen Uffens
Lexi Stephens
Amanda Mikkel (First-In button)
Connor Closs
Julia Clark
Cal Cook
Marilyn Hucek
Dakota Cohen
Luke Curran
Evan James
Wade Turner

Ferryn & Brinkley vs. Brandy Neelly

For the first Battle, duo Ferryn and Brinkley took on Brandy Neelly. They were tasked with singing “Mama’s Broken Heart” by Miranda Lambert, and Green could only pick one to move on.

“Well done,” Clarkson said. “It was a little rock and roll, a little soulful, a little country. It was very good. Brandy, it’s hard to compete when you got harmony, but you shined through. You did a really great job. Ferryn and Brinkley, y’all are so tight. It’s beautiful and cool and special.” She said she would “lean a little towards” the duo, but assured Green Brandy would be a force, as well.

Levine noted how much he loved the three-part harmony and said Brandy did a “great job” going against the sisters. Latifah and Levine decided not to give Green any input on what decision to make.

“The performance was great and I was so glad I got to be part of it,” Green told his contestants. “I knew it was going to be really good. You all are performers and there was so much energy. It was great and a really great version of that song.”

Green decided to pick Ferryn and Brinkley to move on, noting that he thinks they have a “really good chance” of making it past Cut Week. Unfortunately, that meant Brandy was eliminated. The Battles continue on November 12.

The Voice, Season 30, Mondays and Tuesdays, 8/7c, NBC and Streaming Next Day on Peacock