The voice is officially live!

The Top 8 contestants took the stage for the first live episode of Season 26, where each contestant sang twice: a solo performance and a special duet on a Sting classic. For the first time this season, it’s up to America to decide which five singers they want to make it to the finals.

If that wasn’t enough pressure for the rest Agree Sting, who served as a mega-mentor during the Knockout Round, accompanied the duet performances on bass. And this won’t be the last time Sting is there The voice either. He announced a special collaboration period with Snoop Dogg next week.

Find out which Top 8 singers took on the challenge in their first taste The voice Live shows.

Christina Eagle (Team Snoop)

Perfomance: “Man! I feel like a woman!” by Shania Twain

The final country singer in the competition and Snoop’s “shining star” performed a lively rendition of the Shania Twain classic to open the live episode.

Reba McEntire praised Eagle’s cover, which was a strong start but certainly left us wanting more, as a “great representation of what this show is about – energy, fun and great talent.”

Her coach Snoop praised her “great stage presence (and) vocal control” and even said she was “the incarnation of Reba.”

Jan Dan (Team Gwen)

Perfomance: “Open Arms” by Journey

Dan did his best with Journey’s powerful ballad for his individual number, but the soul singer failed to make a lasting impression. Nevertheless, the coaches congratulated.

“It’s a Steve Perry song and the fact that you can make it your own,” said Michael Bublé, adding that he was a fan of his vocals.

Gwen Stefani was more affected by Dan’s overall growth, telling her protégé, “We’re on live TV and you can be so relaxed and so yourself.” Every single note was perfect.”

Adam Bohanan (Team Reba)

Perfomance: “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

Dubbed the “one-chair wonder,” Bohanan showcased his vocal prowess with a laid-back cover of the iconic Marvin Gaye song, showcasing his ability to captivate the audience.

Stefani liked Bohanan’s “soft” voice and praised him for the performance, which seemed “so natural.” Meanwhile, McEntire said he was “infectious” and it was his “happiness (and) joy” that moved her.

Sydney Sterlace (Team Gwen)

Perfomance: “When the Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish

Is Sterlace one of the front runners? Even after turning 16 during the season, she once again proved that age really is just a number in her case. Her entire performance was perfect, from her song selection to the background ballet dancers to her high notes.

It was clear that Snoop felt the same way when he told her that he always “sheds a tear” when she sings; Bublé praised her for her skillful handling of the song’s difficult low notes. Stefani, Sterlace’s coach, was overwhelmed by her performance. “I am overwhelmed. …You make us all feel something, and that’s what’s special about you. Choose her!” she said.

Shy (Team Buble)

Perfomance: “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile

Is Shye someone else? Agree Favorite? If the coaches had their way, she might have made it to the finals with her beautiful rendition of Brandi Carlile’s ballad. Her unique vocal tone has always been her secret weapon, and it paid off in her powerful, emotional camouflage.

McEntire praised her “round voice,” while Bublé – who has been vocal about Shye’s talents from the start – simply described her as “the truth” and compared her to singing greats Adele, Barbra Streisand and Céline Dion.

Jeremy Beloate (Team Snoop)

Perfomance: “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Tom Jones

Beloate, more naturally attuned to theatrical songs, took a different approach with his Tom Jones cover. While his performance had some flaws, he still managed to remind coaches (and spectators) how powerful his voice can be when given the right opportunity.

Stefani rightly told Beloate, “There’s no one like you,” while Snoop urged America to vote for Beloate, “Put those numbers…stop playing!”

Danny Joseph (Team Reba)

Perfomance: “I Was Wrong” by Chris Stapleton

Joseph was on a mission to prove that he was more than just a rock singer who buckled up. He achieved his goal by performing a country song with his own verifiable twist, adding an interesting guitar solo in the middle that surprised even McEntire.

“You looked great, you sounded great,” she said. “I liked the things you chose to play on the guitar – it was different from rehearsals, but I loved it.”

Sofronio Vasquez (Team Buble)

Perfomance: “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley

The voice saved Vasquez to close out the live semifinal episode, and the “Filipino phenom,” as Bublé called him, did not disappoint. Covering an Elvis song can be daunting, but Vasquez surpassed his version of “If I Can Dream” with his smooth voice and strong technique. Bublé noted Vasquez’s strength and alluded to some adversity in his life: “When you walk out of here, you take the brass ring.”

Best homage to the Sting theme

There were four special duet performances of classics by Sting or The Police, but only one stood out: Sterlace and Shye’s exquisite duet “Fields of Gold.”

The voiceThe voices of the youngest participants fit together seamlessly and gave the audience a feast for the senses.

A preview of the next episode

Only five singers advance to next week’s final. Viewers control the fate of the singers, with the results revealed in Tuesday’s episode. Who will be one step closer to being crowned the new one? Agree Champion?

The voice returns December 3rd at 9pm ET on NBC.