Episode 4 Pitch Battle

All-out warfare has broken out between Britain's best choirs

and vocal harmony groups as they fight for choral supremacy.

-You blew my mind.

-Game changing.

-Wow!

So far, three groups have seized a place

in the live Pitch Battle final.

Leeds Contemporary Singers with their superstar judge, Will Young.

# Make it evergreen... #

Scot Soul with Chaka Khan.

# Makes me feel this way... #

And last week's victors, All The King's Men, with Bebe Rexha.

# Ohh-ohh... #

Tonight, another six groups enter the heat of battle.

But who will live to fight another day?

And who will beat a hasty retreat...

Ooh-la-la, senorita! Guten Tag.

..as they grapple to impress Gareth?

-We've got to rock out.

-No-one knows that better than me.

-Kelis...

-Neither one knows what you're talking about.

..and tonight's superstar guest judge, Seal.

#RealTalk, you have to be right on it.

So, let Pitch Battle commence.

I'm going to disagree with Seal.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

# Dun, dun-dun-dun

# Dun-dun-dun

# Dun-dun-dun

# I'm gonna fight 'em off

# A seven-nation army couldn't hold me back

# They're gonna rip it off

# Doo, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

# Taking their time right behind... #

# I'm a survivor

# I'm not gonna give up

# I'm not gonna stop

# I'm gonna work harder

# I'm a survivor

# I'm gonna make it

# I will survive... #

# Oh, no, not I

# I will survive

# As long as I know how to love

# I know I'll stay alive

# I'll stay alive

# Cos I've got all my love to give

# I will survive

# I will survive... #

-# Work it harder

-Make it stronger

-# Do it faster

-Makes us stronger

-# More than ever

-Hour after

-# Our work is

-Never over

-# Work it harder

-Make it better

-# Do it faster

-Makes us stronger

-# More than ever

-Hour after

-# Our work is

-Never over... #

# Makes me that much stronger

# Makes me work a little bit harder

# Makes me that much wiser

# Thanks for making me a fighter

# Made me learn a little bit faster

# Made my skin a little bit thicker

# Makes me that much smarter

# Thanks for making me... #

# It's the eye of the tiger

# It's the thrill of the fight

# Rising up to the challenge of our rivals

# And the last known survivor Stalks his prey in the night

# And he's watching us all with the eye

# Of the tiger

# I'm a survivor

# Of the tiger

# I will survive

# Gonna make it

# I'm a survivor

# Of the tiger

# I will survive

# Gonna make it

# Survive

# Survivor

# Survivor

# I'm gonna

# I'm a survivor

# I'm gonna make it

# I will survive

# Keep on surviving. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, my wings are flapping with excitement.

Now, thank you so much to all of tonight's six amazing vocal groups.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And to the pitch perfect Deke Sharon,

our series musical director, for that brilliant

opening battle mash-up.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Deke, what can we expect?

-We have an amazing array of groups, Mel.

-Tell me.

We have a gospel powerhouse, we have a teen show choir,

we've got a country girl quartet,

we've got musical theatre ensemble.

-Stop it.

-We have an adult pop choir.

And university a cappella.

Now, sit back on your stool, Deke, now, that's quite enough.

Six of the Britain's best choirs and vocal groups

are about to engage in some choral combat

and battle it out over a series of

do-or-die, sing-or-be-sung-off vocal challenges.

Only one group will make it through to the live final

where they'll be in with a chance of taking home

the amazing £50,000 cash prize...

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

..and being one step closer

to being crowned champions of Pitch Battle 2017.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And deciding the fate of our groups,

our three musical maestros.

She's the former choir girl who went on to become

a multi-award-winning music star, it's Kelis.

Hoping to bring some perfect harmony to our panel,

it's the majestic Gareth Malone.

-Oh, Gareth.

-Hello.

Two judges, we need one more.

Joining them tonight is an international musical sensation.

He's sold more than 30 million records worldwide,

he's won Brit awards, Grammy awards, you name it, he's won it.

It's the magnificent Seal.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I feel very honoured to be this guest judge.

I am expecting passion.

I want to hear the dynamic ability of each group,

a combination of voices, that spark.

It is a battle. Show me what you've got.

It's this week's superstar guest judge, Seal.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Seal, ladies and gentlemen.

-Oh, Seal, can I just say, my love...

-Go on, love.

-..in the early '90s,

we listened to your music literally on a loop.

-I was your jam, was I?

-You were my jam.

And I'll be your bread.

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Seal, ladies and gentlemen.

It's time for some choral combat.

And battle one, the showstoppers.

Our first two contenders are about to go head-to-head.

They'll each perform their showstopper

before battling it out in the action-packed, dramatic riff-off.

Our judges will then decide which group packed the biggest vocal punch

and deserves to go through to tonight's solo battles

and who must pack their bags and go home.

-AUDIENCE:

-Aww!

-I know.

Battling first are the Bristol Suspensions.

And from Liverpool, Over The Water.

We're the Bristol Suspensions.

Whoo!

We're a 16-piece a cappella group from the University of Bristol.

Over the last two years, we've travelled

up and down the country competing in national

and international a cappella competitions.

The competition day is always so much fun.

We like to have a good time, but we do take it seriously.

It is like proper, real-life Pitch Perfect.

Every weekend, we like to go busking in Bristol city centre,

so we can actually raise money to go on these trips.

We love busking for the Bristol public,

they're really supportive to us.

We are so excited to be going head-to-head against another group.

We're ready to do competitions, I'm pretty sure we're ready for it.

-ALL:

-We're Over The Water.

We're called Over The Water

because half of us are from the Wirral...

Yeah!

..and the other half are from

the other side of the Mersey in Liverpool.

Yeah!

We rehearse twice a week,

all the Liverpool people get on the ferry and come over here

and then the Wirral people get on the ferry over to Liverpool.

We keep that ferry in business.

As a choir, we're a really close-knit group,

it's like one big family. And literally in some cases,

cos I've got my sister here and my fiancee here.

We span the generations, we've got students, we've got retired people.

I'm a retired headteacher.

The feeling that you get when you sing with the group

is absolutely amazing.

So much joy, so much passion.

Are we ready to go into battle?

Yes!

-These are my people!

-LAUGHTER

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Up first, performing their showstopper Car Wash,

it's our a cappella group, the Bristol Suspensions.

# Here we go again

# You might not ever get rich

# Da da da da da

# Let me tell you it's better than digging a ditch

# Da da da da da

# There ain't no telling who you might meet

# A movie star or maybe a common thief

# Working at the car wash

# Whoa-oh, yeah, yeah

# At the car wash, yeah

# Yeah

# At the car wash

# Sing it with me now

# Working at the car wash, yeah

# Come summer, the work It's kind of hard

# Da da da

# This ain't no place to be

# If you're planning on being a star

# Let me tell you it's so ice cool

# And the boss don't mind sometimes if you're acting like a fool

# Working at the car wash

# Oh, yeah

# At the car wash, yeah

# Yeah, yeah

# At the car wash

# Oooh, ooh, ooh

# Working at the car wash, yeah

# Said, said, said, sing

-# Work and work

-Those cars never stop coming in

-# Work and work

-Keep those rags and machines working

-# Work and work

-My fingers to the bone

-# Work and work

-Come on, I can't wait

# Till it's time to go home

# Hey, get your car washed today

# Working at the car wash

# Now. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Nice.

Before we hear from our judges, here is their competition.

Singing their showstopper, Cake By The Ocean,

from Liverpool, it's our pop choir, Over The Water.

# Dum, dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum

# Oh, no

# See you walking round like it's a funeral

# Not so serious, girl Why those feet cold?

# We're just getting started Don't you tiptoe

# Tiptoe

# Waste time with a masterpiece Don't waste time with a masterpiece

# Huh!

# You should be rolling with me You should be rolling with me

# Talk to me, baby

# I'm going blind from this sweet, sweet craving

# Aha

# Let's lose our minds And go crazy, crazy

# Ay ay ay ay ah

# Keep on hopin' We eat cake by the ocean

# Red velvet, vanilla

# Chocolate in my life

# Funfetti, I'm ready I need it every night

# Red velvet, vanilla

# Ay ay ay ay ay ah

# Keep on hopin' We'll eat cake by the ocean

# Oooh, aha... #

SCATS

# Talk to me, boy

# Talk to me, baby

# I'm going blind from this sweet, sweet craving, aha

# Let's lose our minds And go crazy, crazy

# Ay ay ay ay ay ah

# Keep on hopin' We'll eat cake by the ocean. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, my goodness.

Now, I noticed, Elle, that you hit

some incredibly powerful high notes there.

Do you have to clench something to get to them?

Physically, how does that work?

What are you doing, is it the diaphragm? What's going on?

Most of the time it's just screaming,

you've just got to go for it.

Can you recreate at will? Can you do that? Do you fancy doing that?

Come on, Elle, we want to see it again. Come on, Elle.

Come on, this is Elle.

# Ah-ah-ah! # I'll stop there.

APPLAUSE

Amazing. That actually shattered the right contact lens just there.

Well done to all of you, that was really superb.

Now, Jeanette, this is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Something lovely is occurring down here.

Now, how much longer till the birth?

I've got a couple of weeks to go.

A couple of weeks!

APPLAUSE

Jeanette...

so it could be a case tonight of Over The Breaking Waters.

Who would you like to be your midwife - Seal, Kelis or Gareth?

-I'd have to go with Seal.

-Seal.

I'd be glad to.

Now, it's time to be placed under the bespectacled,

owlish gaze of Gareth.

Gareth, did Over The Water blow you out of the water?

Yes. Both groups I thought did very well, so congratulations to both.

I thought there was some great energy in your performance.

A couple of moments when I wanted a little bit more tone.

But certainly you had real commitment

and I really enjoyed that.

Great energy from you as well.

I thought a couple of times a little bit of rushing going on.

You need to stay in the groove, guys.

But very, very good performances from both of you.

Nice words from Gareth. Now, Kelis, two very different groups,

a cappella over this side, pop choir over this side.

Who rocked your boat?

I think they were both great. You guys were fantastic.

And I have to say, I have performed pregnant,

so I know what that's like. You killed it.

I think the energy was great with both.

You guys are all really fun to watch.

You know when the baby is growing,

it can sometimes reduce your lung capacity.

-Is it hard to sing?

-Yeah, it's a fight,

it's like I'm winning here.

-Yes.

-It's hard.

-Seal, lovely Seal.

Speaking as someone who hasn't performed pregnant...

I thought... I thoroughly enjoyed both performances.

Over The Water, I do feel that you rushed a little bit.

And perhaps maybe not as much energy as Bristol Suspensions.

But I thoroughly enjoyed it and congratulations to you

for singing a cappella, I thought that was really incredible.

APPLAUSE

Oh, now, only one of these groups will go through

to the solo battles later tonight.

The other is about to be knocked out of the competition.

Their fate will be decided by a no-holds-barred-themed riff-off.

So, gang, let's reveal what your theme is.

Have a look at this.

And the theme is...

Buonasera, bonsoir, ooh-a-la, senorita, und guten Tag.

It's foreign languages, guys.

Now, remember, only one group will go through to the solo battles.

Time to find out who is speaking the judges' language.

Good luck, guys.

# Hey, sister, go, sister

# Soul sister, go sister

# Come on

# Oh, yeah

# Voulez-vous coucher avec moi Ce soir?

# Voulez-vous coucher avec moi

# Hey, yeah

# Creole Lady Marmalade

# Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

# Oh-oh, yeah... #

# Oooh

# Voulez-vous

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

# Take it now or leave it

# Now it's all we get

# Nothing promised, no regrets

# Voulez-vous

# Aha, ain't no big decision

# Aha, you know what to do

# La question, c'est voulez-vous

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

# Voulez-vous

# Voulez-vous

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba. #

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

# Comme te po' capi chi te vo bene

# Ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

# Si tu le parle 'mmiezzo americano?

# Ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

# Quando se fa l'ammore sotto 'a luna

# Come te vene 'capa e di "I love you!?"

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba # Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, da!

# Pa pa l'americano... #

INDISTINCT

# Whisky soda e rock'n'roll

-# Whisky soda e rock'n'roll

-Ba-ba-ba-ba

# Whisky soda e rock'n'roll

# Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Ooh, doo-doo

# I am actually good

# Can't help it if we're tilted

# I am actually good

# Can't help it if we're tilted

# Tsch-tsch

# Nous et la man on est de sortie

# Pire qu'une simple moitie on compte a demi-demi

# Pile sur un des bas cotes comme des origamis

# Le bras tendu parait casse tout n'est qu'epis

# We are actually good

# Can't help it we're tilted

# I am actually good

# Can't help it if we're tilted. #

CHEERING

# Shakira, Shakira

# I never really knew that she could dance like this

# She makes a man want to speak Spanish

-# Como se llama

-Si

-# Bonita

-Si

-# Mi casa

-Shakira, Shakira

# I'm on tonight My hips don't lie

# And I'm starting to feel it's right

# Baby on, let's go real slow

# Baby, like this is perfecto

# Oh, you know I'm on tonight

# My hips don't lie I'm starting to feel it's right

# The attraction, the tension

# Baby, like, this is perfection. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Er war ein Punker Und er lebte in der grossen Stadt

# Es war in Wien Wo er alles tat

# Er hatte Schulden denn er trank Doch ihn liebten alle Frauen

# Und jede rief "Come and rock me, Amadeus"

# Amadeus, Amadeus Amadeus

# Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus

# Amadeus, Amadeus Oh-oh, Amadeus

# Come and rock me, Amadeus

# Amadeus, Amadeus Amadeus

# Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus

# Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus Oh-oh-oh, Amadeus. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Now that's what we call a riff-off. It's the new fad of the century.

This Suspensions came out swinging and smashed it with Lady Marmalade.

And then our friends from Liverpool snuck in a sucker punch

with little Molly coming out rapping.

You've got to love it.

So much to discuss there, lads.

I need very briefly to speak to Len.

Len, please come forward.

CHEERING

Len, what I enjoyed particularly

from your performance and the dancing,

we were just treated to a little bit of stomach coming through.

So hang on, let's just tuck it away, Len, you did extremely well.

Cracking good dance moves. Good work from Len.

Molly, not only were you rapping,

but you were rapping in French.

-Indeed.

-Tu parles le francais?

-I don't actually speak French.

-Doesn't speak French.

So that was very convincing.

-Yeah.

-Can you give us a bit more of the French rap?

# Nous et la man on est de sortie

# Pire qu'une simple moitie on compte a demi-demi

# Pile sur un des bas cotes comme des origamis

# Le bras tendu parait casse tout n'est qu'epis. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And you've absolutely no idea what you were saying.

-Something about a dodgy arm.

-Something about a dodgy arm.

LAUGHTER

Is she always like this? Yeah, OK.

Now, Bristol Suspensions, so, so good.

Stanford here was doing some amazing dancing.

Well done, Stanford, you look slightly out of breath, my love.

It takes a lot to wiggle that way.

Well, Bristol Suspensions, you did fantastically well.

Gareth, did one group steal it for you?

I thought both groups had lots to recommend them.

I did think that there were problems on both sides.

There were little moments of tuning that both groups had.

I loved the community spirit over here, it really comes through.

Hugely entertaining, really great.

I particularly enjoyed Shakira. It's a tough one.

Thank you very much, Gareth.

Now, Kelis, did they surpass your expectations?

They did. I mean, you guys are all so fun to watch.

I want to hang out with you guys, you guys are so warm

and there's a real honesty that comes through that I love.

And I have to say, you guys nailed it, it was fantastic.

It's a really hard decision.

Seal, if you had to pick a standout moment, what would it be?

A standout moment for me was when the Bristol Suspensions

basically came out of the gate, I mean, you ran out of the gate.

I thought you really set the tone, and, to be honest, I thought

you guys over there seemed a little bit taken by surprise at first,

but then you seemed to pull it together,

which was really good, and showed the fight.

Ultimately, you both looked great,

and when you look back, I think you'll be quite proud of yourselves.

Now, only one of them will go through

to the solo battles later on.

OK.

Gareth, which group do you want to go through

to the solo battles tonight?

One of the groups I felt had the technical edge,

and that group was...

..the Bristol Suspensions.

CHEERING

Well done, Suspensions.

Kelis, who do you think deserves a place

in those solo battles later on?

-SHE SIGHS

-Well, it's definitely been a really hard decision,

but I have to agree with Gareth -

I'm going to go with the Bristol Suspensions.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK.

We have a decision, but Seal, out of interest, who would you have chosen?

I feel like you just have to give the edge to Bristol Suspensions.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Over The Water, it has been so lovely having you on the show.

Thank you.

We've really enjoyed having you here,

but going through is Bristol Suspensions.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Congratulations, guys. You put up a very strong fight.

It's time for battle two.

Let's meet our next two groups ready to go head-to-head on Pitch Battle.

From Milton Keynes, it's Perfect 6th.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And from London, The Savannahs.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

We're Perfect 6th.

THEY CHEER

We're a big group of sixth form students from Milton Keynes.

We're one of the youngest groups,

so we're going to bring loads of fun and energy to the stage.

We have quite a current twist on musical theatre.

We're down with the kids!

THEY LAUGH

In college, we train in dance, singing and acting.

James is our tutor and our course leader.

I want these guys to just hit that stage, have the time of their lives,

and just give it absolutely everything they've got.

All of us have part-time jobs,

but we also actually do spend quite a lot of time together.

We're going to be doing one of the biggest songs of the last few years,

and we're going to be up against

some of the best vocal groups in the country, but we're ready.

THEY CHEER

-ALL:

-We're The Savannahs.

Where a country roots band

bringing our country roots sound to Pitch Battle.

We're all individual singer-songwriters.

We met in London.

Singing with these girls is new to me, and I'm absolutely loving it.

I think Rebecca is kind of the mother hen of the group.

I'm a medical doctor.

I work lots of long shifts,

but absolutely love rehearsing with the other girls for The Savannahs.

Our country influences are definitely Ryan Adams,

Johnny Cash...

I think we all really love and respect Dolly Parton.

She has an incredible voice.

By scale, we're quite small in comparison

to some of the other groups, but we have something that's really unique.

We think we're quite powerful - just, even though we're four,

we bring something that's really special.

Up first, performing their version of Uptown Funk,

from Milton Keynes, it's our all-singing and dancing show choir,

Perfect 6th!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# This hit, that ice cold

# Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold

# This one's for them hood girls

# Them good girls straight masterpieces

ALL: # Stylin', whilein' Livin' it up in the city

# Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent I gotta kiss myself, I'm so pretty

# Too hot, hot damn Called a police and a fireman

# Too hot, hot damn Make a dragon wanna retire man

# Too hot, too hot, too hot

# Say my name you know who I am

# Too hot, hot damn

# Am I bad about that money?

# Break it down

-# Girls hit your hallelujah

-Whoo

-# Boys hit your hallelujah

-Yeah

# Girls hit your hallelujah

# Cos uptown funk gon' give it to you

# Cos uptown funk gon' give it to you

# Saturday night and we in the spot

# Don't believe me just watch

# Gonna give it to you Dance, jump on it

# If you sexy then flaunt it

# If you freaky then own it

# Hey, hey, hey, oh

# Uptown funk you up Uptown funk you up

# Say what?

# Uptown funk you up

-# Don't believe me just watch

-Gonna give it to you

-# Don't believe me just watch

-Gonna give it to you

-# Don't believe me just watch

-Gonna give it to you

-# Don't believe me just watch

-Gonna give it to you

# Oh

# Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

# Don't believe me just watch

# Come on! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That was great!

Now, time to hear from the competition.

Performing their show-stopper, Wake Me Up,

it's our country group, The Savannahs.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Feeling my way through the darkness

# Guided by a beating heart

# I can't tell where the journey will end

But I know where to start

# They tell me I'm too young to understand

# They say I'm caught up in a dream

# Life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes

# Well, that's fine by me

ALL: # So wake me up when it's all over

# When I'm wiser and I'm older

# All this time I was finding myself

# And I

# I didn't know I was lost

# So wake me up when it's all over

# When I'm wiser and I'm older

# All this time I was finding myself

# I didn't know I was lost

# Ba-ba-da-da-da-da

# Ba-da-da-da-da

# Ba-ba-da-da-da-da

# Ba-da-da-da-da

# Ba-ba-da-da-da-da

# Ba-da-da-da-da

# I didn't know I was lost

# I didn't know I was lost

# I didn't know I was

# Lost. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Now...

Savannahs, you took a dance anthem, and you slowed it down...

IN SOUTHERN DRAWL: ..and you hoed it right down.

LAUGHTER

Now, Hannah, Hannah, please come forward.

Hannah Savannah - that works, doesn't it? Hannah Savannah.

How was that for you, Hannah?

We loved it, absolutely loved it.

Just such a buzz, it's just...

The whole thing, the whole experience has just been incredible.

Amazing. Well, well done. It was a beautiful thing well done.

Now, Perfect 6th.

We have Tay... CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-Hello, Tay.

-You all right? How are you?

I'm really good, Tay.

TO TUNE OF RESPECTABLE BY MEL & KIM: # Tay, Tay, Tay, Tay

# Tay, Tay, Tay, Tay... #

-Literally, that will mean nothing to you.

-No, I know it.

Everyone I know sings it, every time they see me,

they're like, "Tay - song."

So what you're saying is, what I did there was just very old hat.

Thanks a lot, Tay! LAUGHTER

Now, you were all fierce,

but, Kelis, for you, who was it that packed the biggest vocal punch?

Well, you guys both did a great job.

I mean, you guys are like sugar and sprinkles,

and you guys look fantastic. I think...

Yeah, I mean, this is going to be really hard.

I have to say I was worried about the song choice at first,

but I think you guys really pulled it off,

and it was actually really exciting.

And then, I guess, my notes for The Savannahs -

I think there were some blending issues.

There's four of you, so you have a real opportunity

to really listen to each other, and just kind of like...

get in sync with each other.

Seal, this is not going to be an easy decision, is it?

No, it isn't going to be an easy decision.

I feel that in the case of Perfect 6th,

I think it was a brave choice.

I'm not sure whether it was necessarily the right one.

You know, #RealTalk for a second -

Uptown Funk is a great song,

but not necessarily a great choice for this.

It's a funk song, and, you know,

you have to be right on it when you're singing funk.

I mean, it is kind of...

That is rule number one of the genre.

It's more of a kind of soloist's song.

But it was brave, and you got through it.

The same for you, The Savannahs - I think it was an interesting choice.

It's really great to see you show your artistry,

but it is going to be...

a tough one.

OK, thank you, Seal.

-Now, Gareth, again...

-Yeah.

..two incredibly different groups here.

-Yeah.

-Who, for you, was tippity top of the show-stop?

I thought they both worked.

I thought the choreography was very exciting,

and I'm rubbish at dancing, and you aren't, so points for that.

I did think at times you got a bit tense in your voices -

-you start to push and shout as you're...

-HE PANTS

..getting out of breath, and then you start to get tuning issues.

That wasn't always absolutely on point vocally.

And I thought with The Savannahs, there were moments of real quality

when your voices did come together, but,

as Kelis says, it wasn't there all the time, and I think...

Am I right in saying you've not been together that long?

There are four voices here, four soloists,

and it hasn't quite yet come through to being a vocal ensemble,

and I think that's what I'd like to see more of -

just get that real quality of harmony.

I want that lovely sensation on my ear of honey,

of all the voices coming together in one syrupy deliciousness

and I'm not sure I've heard that yet.

Gang, it's all about the blending.

Everyone, it's all about the... What is it all about?

-ALL:

-The blending!

Excellent! Now... We're in panto. Now...

LAUGHTER

One of these groups is about to be knocked out and the other

will face Bristol Suspensions in the Solo Battles later on.

Deciding their fate is, of course, the dramatic Riff-Off.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So let us activate the theme-generating computer.

CHEERING

And the theme is sunshine.

Time to find out who shines brightest tonight.

Guys, very, very good luck to all of you.

APPLAUSE

# You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

# You make me happy when skies are grey

# You'll never know, dear, how much I love you

# Please don't take my sunshine away

-Nice.

-Yeah.

# Please don't take

# My sunshine away. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# You are the sunshine of my life... #

-I like these kids.

-I love this song!

# Sunshine!

# That's why I'll always be around

# Oh, whoa

-# Ba-ba, ba

-You are the apple of my eye

# Apple of my eye

# Forever you'll stay in my heart

# Oh, sunshine

# You are the sunshine of my life. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Sunshine through my window

# That's what you are

# My shining star

# Sunshine!

# Making me feel

# I'm on top of the world

# Telling me I'll go far

# Ooh

# Sunshine through my window

# That's what you are

# My shining star. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Ooh, yeah!

# I'm walking on sunshine

# Whoa-oh

# I'm walking on sunshine

# Whoa-oh

# I'm walking on sunshine

# Whoa-oh

# And don't it feel good?

# Hey!

# Ba-ba da-ba-ba-da-ba-da

# And don't it feel good?

# I said, I said, I say it again now

# And don't it feel good?! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Let the sun shine

# Let the sun shine, baby

# Let it all go, let it all go

-# So play that sweet tune

-Ooh

# Play it through the air

# Don't you ask me twice

# You know I'm gonna be

# Only cos the sun shined once again

# So let the sun shine

# Let the sun shine, baby

# Let it all go, let it all go. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-# Let the sunshine

-Let the sunshine

# Let the sunshine in

-# The

-Sun

-# Sun

-Sunshine in

-# You gotta feel it

-Let the sunshine

-# You gotta feel it

-Let the sunshine in

-# You gotta feel it

-The sunshine in. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It's getting hot in here, right?

First The Savannahs warned the room with their beautiful four-part

Dolly Parton-style harmonies, meanwhile we got Perfect 6th

over there shooting off some solar flares with Walking On Sunshine.

Bottom line, it's a battle between sweet and sassy.

Now, I think I speak for all of us

when I say I'm glad that I slathered myself in Factor 50

to avoid scorching before that particular Riff-Off.

Savannahs, I have to say, four of you against a bigger group

but you really, no, you really stood your ground, though.

How did it feel?

Yeah, we nearly got clobbered but our plan was just to come out

and have fun and I think that's what we did

-and these guys are literally a ray of sunshine.

-Aw!

-It's so enjoyable.

Well done, Savannahs, that was very strong. Now...

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Over to Perfect 6th.

I very much enjoyed the mime with the apple.

LAUGHTER

Who's responsible for the apple?

There we go. Very, very good. Loved that bit.

Now, remember, they're being judged on both their showstopper

and the riff-off, so Kelis,

was there one group that shone out in particular for you?

Well, first I just want to say, because we didn't mention it,

the four girls with the guitars,

I love that, you guys are musicians and it really does show.

I think it helps when you guys look at each other.

Don't be afraid to, like, you know, contact, you do that,

I loved seeing that and obviously you guys are sunshine

and you're bright and the energy's amazing.

I think you guys need to listen, you know, hear the other ones around you

but all in all, I know where I want to go.

-Seal, a crackling riff-off. How was that for you?

-Yes, it was.

It's a bit tricky, this one.

Perfect 6th, I thought you were a bit sketchy, your intro, but you

really kind of pulled it together for me with the Stevie Wonder song.

What's the gentleman's name in the green?

Gentleman in the green, quickly, Seal's asking! Seal's asking! Quick!

-David.

-It's David, Seal!

-David, well...

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I'm a big fan of your voice, so as soon as you started to sing,

-I wanted to hear more of you.

-David!

The Savannahs, I do really applaud your musicianship.

It's wonderful to see four beautiful women playing instruments,

I mean, the artistry is great.

I felt that the nerves got the better of you.

You just need to spend more time together.

-You just need to sing more.

-Gareth.

Oh, that was very exciting

and I think a lot changed in it for me as well

and I asked Perfect 6th to listen more and we got to Stevie Wonder

and I really started to see some potential there.

There's a long way to go until we achieve the perfect blend that

we're all looking for but definitely a step in the right direction.

Just watch out for pushing because it means you get louder and louder,

it becomes a sort of arms race of volume

and you can't hear what's going on around you.

It's really important that you listen all the times,

as all musicians say, two ears, one voice. Same goes for you.

I thought that was really lovely.

Tempo is at the heart of, I think, the difficulty for you.

You have to find a way, if you do have slower tempos,

you've still got to invest it with some charge,

you've got to make me want to get up, even though it's a soft song.

Don't use a soft song as an excuse to just do a low-energy performance.

Emily in the hat, I thought your voice was lovely

and we only just got a little bit there.

I would have liked to have heard more from you.

That, those, there, that is my wisdom.

MEL LAUGHS

Those, that, there from Gareth. Now... #RealTalk.

Only one of these groups will go through to tonight's Solo Battles.

Seal, please can you give us now the name of the group

that you would like to put through to tonight's Solo Battles.

I felt it was really close

but in the end the group that won me over was, uh...

..Perfect 6th.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Thank you very much, Seal.

Kelis?

Well, again, I want to congratulate both groups,

but I am going to go with...

Perfect 6th.

Perfect 6th.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Now, we do have a winner, but, Gareth,

who would you have gone for for the Solo Battles?

-I'm afraid to say I would have gone with Perfect 6th as well.

-Oh...

Savannahs, listen.

C'mon, y'all.

DOLLY PARTON VOICE: You just get round in a circle,

you get back there and you just practice your hearts out.

And you start blendin', girls, you start just blendin' day and...

I don't know what I'm doing,

but what I would love to say to you is thank you very, very much.

Ladies and gents, The Savannahs.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Congratulations to Perfect 6th.

We're going to see you again later, my loves.

There is only one place left in the Solo Battles.

Who's going to join Bristol Suspensions and Perfect 6th?

Let's meet tonight's final two choral contenders.

It's the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir...

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And from London, it's Vocal I-Sing.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

THEY CHANT

We are the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir

and I'm telling you, we are bringing that South Coast fire!

ALL: Whoo!

We are a pretty lively bunch of friends.

I like to think I'm in charge,

but keeping this lot in check is not easy!

It definitely helps that we've got

some competitive people in the group.

We've got the mentality of winners.

Whoo! Yes!

Although we like to have a lot of fun,

we are taking this competition seriously.

For the showstopper, we are bringing the African influences within us.

We are here to win!

ALL: Yes!

ALL: We are Vocal-I-Sing.

And we are a ten-piece musical-theatre group from London.

We're a triple threat - we all act, sing and dance,

and we've been super lucky in our careers

to work on some of the biggest West End shows.

We've all just come together for Pitch Battle,

so we're really excited to perform on the show.

We have to practise singing and dancing at the same time!

Obviously, we've all had a lot of experience on stage.

This is a completely different scale.

For our showstopper, we have decided to do something a bit different.

It's not your typical musical-theatre number,

so it's a bit out of our comfort zone,

but we are going to try to do it justice.

Get ready, Pitch Battle, Vocal-I-Sing are going to rock.

Up first, with their version of a fighting anthem,

performing Katy Perry's Roar,

it's the Portsmouth University Gospel choir.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Oh, oh, oh-oh... #

THEY WHOOP

# Oh, oh, oh-oh... #

THEY WHOOP

# Oh, oh, oh-oh... #

You're right, great start.

# ..Oh, oh, oh-oh

# I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

# Scared to rock the boat and make a mess

# So I sat quietly, agreed politely

# I guess that I forgot I had a choice

# I let you push me past my breaking point

# I stood for nothing

# So I fell for everything

# You held me down but I got up Hey

# Already brushing off the dust

# You hear my voice You hear that sound

# Like thunder Gonna shake the ground

# You held me down but I got up

# Get ready cos I had enough

# I see it all, I see it now

# I got the eye of the tiger A fighter

# Dancing through the fire

# Cos I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar

# Louder, louder than a lion

# Cos I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar

# Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

# You're gonna hear me roar

# Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

# You're gonna hear me roar

# Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

# You're gonna hear me roar

# Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

# You're gonna hear me roar! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

What a beautiful sound, huh?

They roared louder than a lion.

That was incredible!

But the competition are ready to blow the roof off.

Performing their showstopper, Here I Go Again,

it's our musical-theatre group, Vocal-I-Sing.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Here I go again

# I don't know where I'm going

# Wa-ooh-ooh

# But I sure know where I've been

# Wa-ooh-ooh

# Oh, Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on

# Cos I know what it means

# To walk along a lonely street of dreams

# Here I go again on my own

# Walking down the only road I've ever known

Like a drifter I was born to walk alone

# And I've made up my mind

# I ain't wasting no more time

# Here I go again on my own

# Hey, hey, yeah

# Going down the only road I've ever known

# Whoa-oh-oh

# Like a drifter I was born to walk alone

# To walk alone

# Cos I know what it means

# To walk along a lonely street of dreams

# Here I go again! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

A consummate performance.

Now, Vocal-I-Sing, you vocal-I-sang absolutely amazingly.

What did you make of your rivals?

We absolutely adore them, their energy is infectious

and we are really lucky and excited to be on the stage with them

for the riff battle. They are amazing.

So much love going on there.

So much love!

Now, Portsmouth University, you go beyond double denim,

via triple, quadruple, quintuple, sextuple and seven-tuple

and all the other numbers.

This is an amazing array of denim! So good!

CHEERING

Now, Heaven, how was that for you?

This is big and it's great

and we're just all so happy to be here, honestly.

Listen...

Heaven, how did it feel

seeing Kelis and Gareth Malone got to their feet when you were singing?

-How did that feel?

-I... I can't...

Amazing, thank you, guys, so much, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

And we're just ready to give so much more if you give us the chance.

APPLAUSE

Well done, guys.

Seal, two radically different groups here.

We have gospel, we have musical theatre.

Which one really nailed it for you?

The answer to that is they both did.

I just thought they were fantastic.

And I have to say, this show is, of course, called Pitch Battle

and both of you really, really embodied that tonight.

I thought it was pretty fantastic.

Your performances were amazing.

It's going to be tough.

I mean, I need to see more.

-Gareth.

-Hello.

I sense, my friend, this is going to be another tough decision.

-Am I right?

-This is enormously tough.

It really was. Both groups, excellent.

I thought... Portsmouth, I always do that thing,

I look down the line to see who is not committed

and every single one of you was 100% in, all the way through

and that was absolutely great, so very well done for that.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

But if I may just...

Little bits of vocal tension and posture at times

and getting on the verge of shouting and the tune starts to go.

What I want to see from you as a refined sound.

I would say the same thing to you as well.

I thought it was great,

but it was one dynamic all the way through,

with the exception of the very beginning, it was all loud

and then you got louder and even louder still,

-so have you got another gear?

-Lula, have you got another gear?

Of course we have! That was a rock song, you've got to rock out.

-We've got many other things.

-No-one knows that better than me!

-LAUGHTER

-Quite right.

Now, Kelis, finally, a bona fide gospel choir we've got here.

Did that take you back to your gospel choir days?

Well, I loved... Both of you guys were fantastic.

You guys are very different.

I want to say, I think it's a lot harder to sing in unison

than people think and that is kind of the core of gospel music,

it's about the oneness and the singing in unison,

so that was fantastic. And I think you guys are like, "Showtime!"

I mean, it's just like it's on and it's so exciting.

It's going to be really hard.

Oh, exciting times!

One of these groups is about to be knocked out.

The other will join Bristol Suspensions and Perfect 6th

in the solo battles.

The only thing standing in their way is the riff-off.

CHEERING

So, let's reveal what your theme is going to be.

Have a look.

CHEERING

Happy.

Let's find out which of these two groups makes our judges happy.

Good luck, one and all.

CHEERING

# Don't know how to live without your love

# I was born to make you happy

# I'd do anything

# I'd give you my world

# Just to show you how much I care

# I don't know how to live without your love

# I was born to make you happy

# You're the only one that's in my heart

# I was born to make you happy! #

# Because I'm happy

# Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof

-# Happy

-Clap along if you feel

# Like that's what you want to do

# Oh-oh-oh

# Happy, happy, happy, happy

# Because I'm happy

# Clap along

# If you know what happiness is to you

# Eh, eh, eh Happy

# Clap along if you feel like that's what you want to do

# I'm happy! #

# Oh, oh, oh, happy

# Oh, happy day

-# Talking about these happy days

-Oh, happy days

-# When Jesus washed

-When Jesus washed, oh, oh, oh

-# When Jesus washed

-When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# My sins away

# Oh, happy day! #

# Here's a little song I wrote

# You might want to sing it note for note

# Don't worry... #

Hey, sugar!

# ..Be happy

# Don't worry, be happy

# Ooh, ooh, ooh... #

Hey!

Don't worry.

Oh, God, oh, God, be happy!

I love that! I love that!

# ..Don't worry be happy! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It's just real, isn't it?

# Forget your troubles

# Happy days

# Come on, get happy

# Better chase all your cares away

# From now on

-# From now on

-Forget your troubles

# And just get happy

# Happy again! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Be young, be foolish But be happy

# Be young, be foolish But be happy

# Same old story all over the world

# Girl needs boy and boy needs girl

# Be young, be foolish But be happy

# Be young, be foolish

# But be happy

# Be happy! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I think both, I like them both.

Oh, yeah!

That is the world's most powerful antidepressant, am I right?

We had Vocal-I-Sing weaving together their rich harmonies

and amazing West End flair

and then we had Portsmouth emitting pure joy

and weaving some a cappella in there.

Speaking of weaving, that might be the first time anybody has woven together

Pharrell, Britney Spears, Bobby McFerrin and Judy Garland, right?

Now, that's a mixture! Am I right?

CHEERING

Thank you very much.

Now, Peter, Peter from Vocal-I-Sing.

That... Where does that voice come from?

I'm wearing very tight jeans,

so that helps get those high notes.

Well done, Vocal-I-Sing, you were absolutely superb.

Now, Portsmouth University Gospel Choir.

Jordan, you looked, when you were singing, really,

as if you weren't worrying at all

and as if you were really staying happy.

Am I right?

Well, you know, don't worry, be happy.

That's exactly what I said.

It came through.

How do you remain so Zen and calm?

Well, obviously, don't worry, be happy.

LAUGHTER

Wise words there from Jordan.

Very much on message, Jordan, well done.

Now, Seal, they were both determined to make you happy,

but did they succeed?

Yes, they did. Yes and no.

Yes and no?!

Well, yes and no.

With Portsmouth Gospel Choir, with Happy, you know, it...

It's a funny one, that, because it's such a great iconic song

and I'm not quite sure whether you got there

in terms of doing it justice,

but it was great, you know.

Overall, I thought you did a fantastic job.

Vocal-I-Sing, I thought it was...

I thought it was good enough.

I thought you kind of got there in the end,

but your experience in musical theatre, I think,

really showed through and, you know, ultimately,

it's going to take more than just great voices at the end of the day,

so I thought you did a really great job with that.

Good, good comments from Seal.

Gareth, please...tell us what you thought.

I'm going to disagree with Seal, because I thought...

SHE GASPS

..I really enjoyed Happy. What do I know?

But I thought it was great, I really enjoyed the atmosphere...

CHEERING

Well done.

I think we've got just a difference between...

We've got polish on this side.

We've got professionalism and then on this side we've got

something that's quite sort of natural

and it's very hard to decide between the two

because both are great, this is not a situation

where I'm saying one is bad and one is not.

I thought it was very brave of you to bring gospel to gospel...

LAUGHTER

..and carried off with aplomb!

Amen! Just if I can be slightly critical for a second,

you do have great technique but at times it gets harsh

because you are SO determined! SO determined, it can be a little

overwhelming at times. And your arrangements are simpler

on this side, so I think we have to take that into consideration

and at times you're not absolutely pulling off every moment

of harmony and this is about harmony, it's about singing

as well as you possibly can, so it's definitely something

-you need to address - is technical details.

-OK.

And, Kelis, who surprised you in that riff-off?

Neither one of them know what they're talking about!

LAUGHTER

-Well, I think - both great, so different...

-Yeah.

I agree with Gareth in that on one hand I think there's so much

heart and there's something really honest and natural that

I love about Portsmouth and then technique and just...

You guys are so on and there's something in the middle, I think,

-if that's...

-That's me, Kelis...

LAUGHTER

Are you saying that I should go through to the next round?

LAUGHTER AND CHEERING

My blending is awful.

Have you ever had a hit record, Mel?

Well, I might have had a number-one single... Yeah.

You hadn't mentioned it so I just thought...

Yeah, I might have had a number-one single,

for one week only, gang, in Gareth's choir, with John Craven,

it was a very special moment.

LAUGHTER

Now, listen, this is serious, there's only one place left

in the next round...

OK, Seal, which group would you like to see go through?

God, it's so tough, it's so tough... Erm...

We're looking at the best of the evening so far...

APPLAUSE

If I had to trust what my ears tell me, it would be...

..Vocal-I-sing.

OK, Gareth...

Who would you like to see go through to the solo battles?

Um, this is difficult but I'll cut to it.

I would like to go with...

Portsmouth.

CHEERING

Right, Kelis, it rests on your shoulders, my love,

you have the deciding vote.

-SIGHING:

-Well...

It was really hard, as both gentlemen have said...

But I'm going to go with my heart...

It's Portsmouth...

CHEERING

Well done.

Now, listen, you saw how difficult that was for them.

No word of a lie, they were absolutely torn,

you were brilliant, weren't they?

CHEERING

But...Portsmouth University Gospel Choir - congratulations to you.

CHEERING

We're going to see you shortly in those solo battles.

Now, how...

There are tears, oh! How are you? Are you OK?

Yeah, yeah, good!

Listen, denim is extremely absorbent, so...

LAUGHTER

..just rub yourself on somebody's denim and you'll be absolutely fine.

Listen, well done, guys, you were absolutely tremendous.

One last time, please give it up for both Portsmouth University

Gospel Choir and Vocal-I-sing.

CHEERING

The groups through to the solo battle are...

Perfect 6th...

You really kind of pulled it together for me.

What's the gentleman's name in the green?

THEY CHANT

As soon as you started singing, I wanted to hear more of you.

I just can't believe it, it's so crazy, thank you so much

for supporting me and everything.

..The Bristol Suspensions...

You ran out of the game. I thought you really set the tone.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, that was really incredible.

I was so worried I was going to kick Len

and I was, like,

"Please move, cos I don't want to kick you on television."

..and Portsmouth University Gospel Choir.

I'm not quite sure whether you've got there in terms of

doing it justice, but overall I think you did a fantastic job.

We didn't get Seal's vote, we've got to win him over.

So, only three groups are left standing and like an impromptu

camping trip, things are about to get a whole lot more intense.

Backed by the rest of their core companions,

the fate of each group now lies on the shoulders

of just one singer, who must take centre stage in the solo battles.

Once all three have performed, the judges will decide

which two groups will go through to tonight's final battle.

I can sense his presence - here he is.

Deke, what do you think of the judges' decisions so far?

I agree with them, these have all been tough decisions and

if I had to take one group and put them through...