The Voice season 28 boldly changes the mentorship format of the competition by adding iconic artists Joe Walsh and Zac Brown as mega-mentors, boosting the show's star power. As the show launches the new "Mic Drop" feature, these additions elevate the stakes like never before by lending decades of rock and country music credibility.
Walsh will lead teams Niall Horan and Reba McEntire. Walsh is well-known for his time with the Eagles and songs including "Life's Been Good." The frontman of the Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band, Brown, will provide backup for the bands of Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé.
Their presence conveys a dedication to real, experience-based instruction that is more about creativity than gimmicks. The mentors offer more than just criticism; they also impart life lessons learned from traveling and performing. Contestants now face a modified game as the Knockouts get underway on October 27: no saves or thefts, and only one artist from each team advances.
The Voice: Joe Walsh & Zac Brown’s role and game-changing impact
Joe Walsh and Zac Brown join the mentor ranks
Joe Walsh is an exceptional mentor for Team Niall and Team Reba because of his more than fifty years of rock influence, which includes hits like "Rocky Mountain Way" and his time with the Eagles. He is the ideal mentor for competitors looking for both style and uniqueness because of his sense of humor and excellent tone. Contestants learn the value of stage confidence and emotion from Walsh's perspective as a performer who has performed in front of millions of people.
With three Grammys under his belt and fronting the multi-platinum Zac Brown Band, Zac Brown is no less formidable as he makes his Voice debut. He will serve as a mentor to Snoop and Teams Bublé. Brown frequently encourages singers to reach emotional truth in their delivery and focuses on phrasing, rhythm, and connection through lyrics.
Their appearance coincides with the show's most significant structural modification to date, the "Mic Drop" button, a revolutionary tool that enables coaches to highlight exceptional performances right away. Mentoring for candidates has changed from providing general criticism to giving them specific, focused guidance.
What this mentor shake-up means for The Voice competition
With the arrival of Walsh and Brown, The Voice undergoes a reorientation toward musical integrity and artist development rather than spectacle. The threshold for survival is higher than ever during a season in which each coach begins with eight artists in the Knockouts and is not permitted to use steals or saves. The most energetic and disciplined performers will advance, according to mentors like Walsh and Brown.
Their combined influence on The Voice unites two musical genres: Brown reflects the storytelling spirit of country music, while Walsh represents the history and raw energy of rock. When combined, they provide a master class in the evolution of performance. Now, contestants have to climb to a greater creative standard, demonstrating not just their vocal identities but also their potential as artists.
For longtime viewers, this change elevates the competition above the level of a reality program. It's a testing ground for career longevity in the field, where every performance counts, advancement is real, and mentoring feels genuine. The Voice is adjusting to a deeper, more soulful frequency with icons like Joe Walsh and Zac Brown leading the season; this could change the definition of success.
Watch The Voice on NBC.