A stellar “instant save” performance of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” won America over Tuesday night, as voters approved Bryan Olesen of Lincoln to take the fifth and final spot in next week’s finale of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Olsesn’s Monday night performance of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds,” did not initially place him among the finalist, however voters gave him the “instant save” win which keeps him in the race, joining four other singers for the Monday, May 20, finale.
During his Coldplay rendition, Olesen engaged with the studio crowd saying “Everybody, if this is my last time on this stage, I need everybody singing with me. Give me this moment.”
The moment was indeed Olesen’s, as the five judge panel clapped and sang along to his performance.
As applause faded, Olesen’s coach Jon Legend said his song selection was “a grand-slam choice.”
“It was rousing. It was energizing. It was right in your pocket as a vocalist and as a performer,” said Legend. “I tell you every round, I feel like I should be at your arena concert. This felt like the biggest moment of all in your arena concert. I’m so happy I get to coach you. America, we cannot send this man home yet.”
Olesen did not come home to Lincoln, but will once again sing to win over voters on Monday at 7 p.m. on NBC. Winners will be announced Tuesday at the same time and channel.
You can cast your vote for Olesen on voice.vote.nbc.com or via “The Voice” official app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Watch Olesen’s performance of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” below.
Olesen, 50, has been involved in Lincoln’s local music scene for many years. He performs lead vocals, guitar, and bass for the Christian rock band VOTA (formerly known as Casting Pearls) and also played guitar for the popular Christian band Newsboys from 2003 to 2006. Olesen said his bandmate John Wooten, the drummer of VOTA, encouraged him to audition for “The Voice” when he initially felt skeptical.
Olesen has appeared on KLIN’s airwaves several times, detailing his stunning audition of “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic, and his battle round performance on Drive Time Nebraska with Doug Fitzgerald.