Photo courtesy of NBC
The Voice is returning for its milestone 30th season with a new coaching lineup and several changes to its competition format. The season premieres Sept. 21 on NBC with Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson returning alongside first-time coaches Queen Latifah and Riley Green.
Before the premiere, The Voice: 30th Season Celebration airs Sept. 17. Carson Daly hosts conversations with coaches from the show’s past and present, including Blake Shelton, CeeLo Green, Gwen Stefani, Levine, Clarkson, Latifah and Riley Green.
The milestone season also brings changes to the competition itself. Most notably, the Blind Auditions introduce a new First In Button that gives coaches another strategic tool when selecting artists.
The Voice introduces the First In Button
The Blind Auditions remain centered on the familiar rotating chairs. Coaches hear performers without seeing them and decide whether a singer belongs on their team based on the voice alone.
This season adds a new wrinkle. If multiple coaches turn for an artist, the coach who turned first can use the First In Button to claim that artist immediately. Each coach can use the feature once.
The change replaces the Block button used in previous seasons and gives the opening stage a new strategic element. Coaches now have to decide when a standout performance is worth using their one opportunity.
After the Blind Auditions, artists move into the Battle Rounds and then Cut Week before the Live Shows.
Live shows return for Season 30
Another major change arrives later in the competition. NBC says Season 30 brings back live shows, with viewers participating through new voting methods that include SMS and TikTok. Real-time voting will also return during the Live Shows, with results announced the same night.
Cut Week will determine the artists moving into the Live Shows. Each coach will send two artists through directly, while five others compete for another team spot. America will then select an additional artist, creating a Top 13.
The Live Performance Shows will run for six weeks, giving viewers a larger role in determining who continues and who leaves the competition.
The season begins with a three-night premiere event from Sept. 21 through Sept. 23. Episodes will also stream on Peacock the following day.
With new coaches, a new Blind Audition feature and the return of live voting, Season 30 is bringing familiar elements together with some noticeable changes.
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