Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Queen Latifah and Adam Levine Deliver a Powerful ‘The Weight’ Performance on The Voice
The Voice is bringing back one of its favorite traditions ahead of Season 30, and this time the coaches have chosen a classic.
Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Queen Latifah and Adam Levine have joined forces for a new performance of The Band’s “The Weight,” giving fans an early look at the chemistry among the four coaches before the new season officially begins.
The performance comes as viewers prepare for the Season 30 premiere of The Voice on September 21. The milestone season features the return of longtime coaches Clarkson and Levine, while Queen Latifah and Green are stepping into coaching roles for the first time.
The coaches put their own spin on ‘The Weight’
Bringing coaches from different musical backgrounds together for a group performance has become a familiar part of The Voice, and Season 30 continues that tradition with a song that gives each performer room to shine.
Riley Green starts things off on acoustic guitar, setting the tone for the performance. Adam Levine then takes over on drums for the first verse while Clarkson and Queen Latifah watch, moving along with the music.
When the chorus arrives, all four coaches come together, blending their voices for a full-group moment.
Queen Latifah gets her turn in the spotlight next, showcasing her powerful vocals before Green returns for another verse, once again accompanying himself on guitar.
Clarkson ultimately brings the performance to a close. Performing barefoot, she delivers the final section with the soulful vocal style that has become one of her trademarks, adding another memorable moment to the coaches’ collaboration.
A classic song at the center of the performance
“The Weight” was originally released by The Band in 1968. Written by Robbie Robertson, the song became one of the group’s best-known recordings and has remained an influential part of American popular music.
Rolling Stone later included “The Weight” on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Choosing the song also gives the four coaches an opportunity to bring together their very different musical backgrounds. Green represents the country side of the panel, Levine brings his rock and pop experience, Clarkson contributes her powerhouse vocals, and Queen Latifah adds her own distinctive musical presence.
Riley Green says coaching is easier than acting
For Green, joining The Voice comes at an interesting point in his career. The country singer has recently taken on a very different kind of performance challenge with his acting debut on Marshals, where he appeared alongside Luke Grimes.
Green discussed the contrast during a recent appearance on the Superstar Power Hour podcast. While acting required him to step into the mindset of a character with experiences far removed from his own, he said The Voice allows him to simply be himself.
His role on Marshals involved portraying a former Marine dealing with PTSD, which Green described as a serious subject that required him to approach the character carefully.
That experience made the difference between acting and coaching especially clear to him. On The Voice, there is no character to create. Green can rely on his own personality, humor and musical instincts while working with the contestants.
Green plans to win contestants over with humor
Green also revealed how he plans to compete with his fellow coaches when contestants are deciding which team to join.
Rather than taking the competition too seriously, he intends to lean into humor and the personalities of the other coaches.
His strategy, as he explained it, involves teasing Levine about his age, pointing out Queen Latifah’s fame and reminding contestants that he brings more country experience to the panel than Clarkson.
It is a fitting approach for a show where the coaches regularly compete with one another while trying to persuade talented singers to join their teams.
When does The Voice Season 30 premiere?
Season 30 of The Voice premieres Monday, September 21, at 8/7c on NBC.
The new season brings back Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson while welcoming Queen Latifah and Riley Green as first-time coaches. The four will compete for the chance to mentor the next group of singers hoping to make their mark on the competition.
For fans who have been waiting to see how the new coaching lineup works together, the performance of “The Weight” offers an early glimpse of what is coming when The Voice returns.