Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Houston Kelly and J.W. Griffin will square off in a three-chair showdown Monday on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

The knockout round begins this week on The Voice, and Monday’s show will feature a pair of three-chair showdowns.

In this round, each artist selects a song to sing solo. And this season, only the winner will advance. There will be no steals of saves during the knockout round.

Adam Levine is pitting newly stolen Mike Steele against Jeremy Keith. Both turn three chairs in the blinds.

Kelly Clarkson will also stage a three-chair showdown between male singers Houston Kelly and J.W. Griffin.

Other standouts returning to perform on Monday’s show include Alexia Jayy of Team Adam, Liv Ciara of Team Kelly and Syd Millevoi of Team Legend.

A loss by any of that trio would be considered an upset based on what we’ve seen and heard from them so far.

The knockouts conclude next week with the final three match. And by the time they end, just nine singers will remain.

At which point The Voice will unveil one of its most misguided gimmicks ever.

Team Adam

The match: Alexia Jayy vs. Bay Simpson
The background: Alexia, 31, of Mobile, Ala., sang “A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, turning all three chairs.She then won her battle with Moses G. Bay, 26, of Muscle Shoals, Ala., performed “The Waiting” by Tom Petty and got a last-second turn from Adam. He then won a battle round match over Hunter Jordan, who turned three chairs in the blinds.

The match: Jeremy Keith vs. Mike Steele
The background: Jeremy, 40, of Washington, D.C., turned all three chairs in the blinds when he performed Freddie Jackson’s “You Are My Lady.” He won his battle with Aziz Guerra. Mike, 28, of Mississippi, turned all three coaches’s chairs singing “For Tonight” by Giveon. He was stolen by Adam following a battle round match with KJ Willis.

Team Kelly

The match: Abigayle Oakley vs. Liv Ciara
The background: Abigayle, 25 of Las Vegas, Nev., turned all three chairs in a heartbeat when she performed “Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn in the blinds. She then won her battle over Julia Golden. Liv, 16, of St. Peters, Missouri, performed “We Can’t Be Friends” by Ariana Grande, turning two chairs in the blinds. She has auditioned the season before and failed to turn a chair. She was then the receipient of Kelly’s super steal following a battle round match with Mikenley Brown.

The match: Houston Kelly vs. J.W. Griffin
The background: J.W., 25, OF Moultrie, Ga., performed “Long Haired Country Boy” by Charlies Daniels in the blinds, turning all three chairs. He then won his battle with Blaire Elbert. Houston, 20, of Memphis, Tenn., turned all three chairs in the blinds, singing “Walking in Memphis.” He then won his battle with Tia Durant.

Team Legend

The match: Lucas West vs. Moses G.
The background: Lucas, 20, of Fairport, N.Y., performed “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John in the blinds, turning 2 chairs. He then won a battle round match with A.J. Robinson. Moses, 31, of Harlem, N.Y., performed “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart to entice his chair turn from Adam. He was then stolen by John following a battle round match with Alexia Jayy.

The match: Natasha Blaine vs. Syd Millevoi
The background: Natasha, 27, of Seattle, Wash., turned John’s chair, signing “Kiss of Life” by Sade in the blinds. She won her battle with Kendra Remedios. Syd, 23, Secaucus, N.J., turned 2 chairs with a rousing performance of “Mamma Knows Best” by Jessie J. And it was clear a third chair would have turned if Kelly Clarkson hadn’t already filled her team. She then won her battle with Ashley Marina.