The Voice Coaches Find Unexpected Harmony in ‘The Weight’ Ahead of Season 30
The new coaching lineup on The Voice is already showing signs of a strong musical connection.
Ahead of the Season 30 premiere, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah and country star Riley Green came together for a performance of The Band’s 1968 classic, “The Weight.” The collaboration gives viewers an early taste of how the four very different artists sound and interact as a team.
The performance blends country, pop, soul and hip-hop influences, with each coach taking a moment to bring their own style to the song.
Riley Green Opens on Guitar
Green starts the performance on acoustic guitar, immediately giving the arrangement a warm country feel. He remains in the background vocally at first, waiting until the third verse for his solo moment.
The appearance marks Green’s first time performing as a Voice coach. He and Queen Latifah are both joining the coaching panel for Season 30, while Clarkson and Levine return as veterans of the series.
Adam Levine Takes the Drums
Levine soon joins Green, taking his position behind the drum kit and handling the opening verse.
As the chorus arrives, the rest of the coaches join in. Their voices come together in a fuller harmony that allows the differences in their musical backgrounds to work naturally within the same arrangement. Levine and Green provide the instrumental foundation while Clarkson and Queen Latifah add their own vocal character.
The performance also highlights the easy chemistry that has emerged among the new coaching group. In behind-the-scenes footage released ahead of the premiere, the coaches can be seen rehearsing together, with Levine on drums and Green on guitar.
Queen Latifah Brings the Soul
Queen Latifah gets her opportunity to step into the spotlight next. Her section brings a soulful quality to the performance and adds another dimension to the arrangement.
For Latifah, the appearance is part of her debut season as a Voice coach. Her arrival gives the panel another distinct musical perspective alongside Green’s country background and the pop and rock experience of Clarkson and Levine.
Kelly Clarkson Delivers the Finale
The performance builds toward Clarkson’s turn.
At one point, she kicks off her shoes and moves across the stage barefoot before taking the final solo. Her powerful vocal provides the closing highlight, bringing the coaches’ version of the song to an emphatic finish.
The final moments bring all four coaches together before Clarkson delivers the last line, giving the performance a clear vocal climax.
Why ‘The Weight’ Fits the New Coaching Panel
The Band’s “The Weight,” originally released in 1968, has remained one of the group’s best-known songs. Its roots-oriented sound gives the four coaches plenty of room to approach the material from different musical traditions.
That makes it a fitting choice for a panel that spans several genres. Green’s country influence, Levine’s rock and pop background, Latifah’s hip-hop and soul credentials, and Clarkson’s powerhouse pop vocals all come through without forcing the performance into a single style.
The result is a rendition built around the contrast between the four coaches rather than trying to make them sound alike.
Two New Coaches Join the Season 30 Panel
The performance also introduces viewers to the coaching lineup that will guide artists throughout the milestone 30th season.
Clarkson and Levine are returning coaches, while Green and Queen Latifah are making their Voice debuts. Levine is returning for his 19th season with the series, while Clarkson is beginning her 11th.
Green has also spoken about the challenge of competing for artists alongside his fellow coaches. His country background gives the panel a different perspective as he begins his first season in the red chair.
The early performance suggests that the new lineup will have plenty of opportunities for musical collaboration as well as the friendly competition that comes with trying to build the strongest team.
For now, “The Weight” offers the first extended glimpse at the four coaches performing side by side. With Green on guitar, Levine behind the drums, Queen Latifah bringing her soulful delivery and Clarkson closing with a powerful vocal, the performance gives Season 30 an energetic musical introduction.
Watch the incredible performance below.
The Voice Season 30 premieres Monday, September 21, at 8/7c on NBC. The premiere week will feature the two-hour season opener followed by two additional episodes.