The Voice Australia grand finalists have been decided, with Daisha Auda, Yung Milla, Tommy Novak and The 60Four set to compete for the title on Sunday night.
Each finalist was selected by one of the four coaches during the semi-final, before the decision was handed to the Australian public. Daisha Auda represents Kate Miller-Heidke, Yung Milla is Melanie C’s finalist, Tommy Novak is on Richard Marx’s team and The 60Four will compete for Ronan Keating.
Yung Milla secured his place with a striking reworking of Men At Work’s Land Down Under, combining didgeridoo, choir, personal storytelling and an original rap.
The performance drew on his own upbringing and included a tribute to his mother, whom he credits with teaching him resilience. She then appeared unexpectedly at the end of the song, leaving the audience and coaches visibly moved.
Melanie C, fighting back tears, told him: “So powerful. I was so worried I’d thrown too much at you.”
Kate Miller-Heidke praised the performance for bringing “extra potency, power, a little bit of darkness and a lot of hope”, while Marx told Yung Milla: “Every once in a while, somebody comes along who revolutionises the genre, who revolutionises an artform and, Yung Milla, you are that guy.”
Tommy Novak’s route to the final came through a heartfelt version of Robbie Williams’ Angels. Marx had urged him to trust his instincts and avoid overthinking, before praising the singer’s development throughout the competition.
Fifteen-year-old Daisha Auda performed Andra Day’s Rise Up. Miller-Heidke highlighted her versatility and said the singer, who has never had a singing lesson, had “so much soul”, while Melanie C praised her maturity and commanding stage presence.
The 60Four are the only remaining band in the competition. Their energetic rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire’s September, featuring choreography and harmonies, earned praise from Keating for their “insane vocals” and character.
Charlotte June, Leyla Sabo, Taylor Beadle-Williams and Tika Cetinich were eliminated despite their semi-final performances.
Voting is now open, with the winner set to receive a $100,000 cash prize, an all-inclusive Hive Sound Studios recording and development package, and the title of The Voice Australia winner.
The Voice grand finale will air at 7pm on Sunday 27 September on Seven and 7plus.
