Three Sunshine Coast-based hopefuls have wooed judges on The Voice Australia, with each securing a four-chair turn and a place in the competition.
Papua New Guinean-born singer Chris “Sese” Cobb captured the nation’s attention after delivering a show-stopping audition on Monday.
Performing Cold Chisel’s When the War Is Over, he gained the accolades of all four judges – Ronan Keating, Melanie C, Richard Marx and Kate Miller-Heidke.
Hailing originally from Rabaul, Cobb built his music career from grassroots beginnings in Bulolo, before performing across Port Moresby and eventually launching his own talent agency, CCM, in 2022.
Now based in Mooloolah Valley, the 35-year-old singer is fully focused on his artistic journey.
“I grew up watching The Voice and as a young PNG boy, I never imagined it was a dream I could actually turn into reality,” he said.
“Just getting to perform in front of these celebrities is already a win for me. If I turn a chair, then everything after that is just icing on the cake.”
Keating was the first to turn his chair, captivated early by Chris’s soulful tone. By the song’s emotional end, all four coaches had turned.
Miller-Heidke said: “So many great voices have sung that song. But what I loved is that you really made it your own. And you didn’t push too hard. There was this beautiful intimacy about your delivery.”
Marx added: “I hold a certain benchmark to that song, the way John Farnham sang it. I was thinking, oh, boy, this guy’s got his work cut out for him. And you crushed it. You absolutely crushed.”
In one of the night’s most surprising moments, Keating revealed a personal connection to Cobb, stunning both coaches and audience.
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Keating’s wife Storm spent part of her childhood in PNG and is cousins with Cobb’s partner Kalo.
Cobb is already a staple in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa music scenes known for his soulful vocals, energy and signature kangaroo leather cowboy hat. Blending traditional Pacific rhythms, acoustic soul and a touch of country flair, he draws inspiration from the two-way radio music of his PNG childhood.
Speaking ahead of his audition, Cobb said: “I hope I put on an audition that makes my wantoks proud. PNG will always be home.”
Meanwhile, a couple of other Sunshine Coast hopefuls, Milly Monk and Brenton Kneen, each scored a hit with their blind auditions.
Singing Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks, tarot card reader Monk applied for The Voice after the cards told her that this is the journey she should be on.
“Your voice is really beautiful, really mesmerising,” Miller-Heidke said.
Kneen, 33, from Cooroibah quit his job four years ago to make music and follow his heart. He taught himself to sing like he talks in a true-blue Aussie accent.
He wowed the judges with his rendition of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees.
“You have incredible range, you’ve got great breath control, you can kind of do it all. You’re a real fierce competitor in this competition,” Marx said.
The Voice airs on Channel Seven on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
