Down to 12! Billy Gilman delivers on The Voice and stays on Adam Levine's team as field narrows to final dozen

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Former child star Billy Gilman was the stand-out performer on Monday in The Voice's first ever real-time elimination show. 

Gilman was called a 'no-brainer' by country star Blake Shelton and 'unbelievable' by his coach Adam Levine as he booked his place in the next round of the hit singing show.

The first ever real-time live playoffs show saw America choose two singers from each team to go through, with the team coach forced to save one more and send two others home.

Child star: Billy Gilman turned in the strongest performance on Monday's live elimination episode of The Voice

The field of 20 contestants were whittled down to a Top 12.

Alicia Keys was up first with her team members battling to continue on the show.

First was Orlando soul singer Christian Cuevas who sat on a stool with a guitar and performed Beatles classic Yesterday, which got him a standing ovation from the coaches.

Los Angeles pop artist Kylie Rothfield then took on the Rolling Stones standard I Can't Get No Satisfaction, with Alicia Keys seemingly enjoying it from her seat and cheering her support.

No brainer: Adam Levine praised Billy before learning that viewers had moved him to the next round

We McDonald, 17, from Harlem, New York, then performed Home by Diana Ross as host Carson Daly announced that next week the Top 12 will get to work with country music legend Garth Brooks.

Texas folk rocker Josh Halverson, who lost his Battle Round before being stolen by both Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys, then performed the Sam Cooke classic Cupid.

Powerful Chicago singer Sa'Rayah wore a tightly fitted gold dress as she performed the Etta James classic I'd Rather Go Blind as Alicia covered her face with her hands in excitement.

First up: Christian Cuevas was the first to perform and advanced to the final 12

After Alicia's team's performances Miley Cyrus said she would pick Christian to stay on the show and that We fills a really nice space in the world.'

Carson then revealed that the two artists with the most Twitter votes were Christian Cuevas and We McDonald - as Miley predicted.

Alicia then had to make a difficult decision to save one of the remaining three.

Moving We' McDonald also advanced to the next round

'I am so full for so many reasons, I am able to live my truth through music and I am able to watch you on this stage live your truth right now and that is what music is about,' said Alicia.

'This is a really lovely and terrible moment, you have achieved so much and come so far.'

In the end the pop star decided to send through Sa'Rayah to the next round.

Tough decision: Alicia Keys wrestled over her decision on which singer to keep

Good pick: Sa'Rayah was chosen by Alicia to remain on her team

Team Blake's group was up next with Dana Harper kicking off with Maneater by Hall & Oats who was followed by Texas country singer Austin Allsup who performed I Ain't Living Long Like This by Waylon Jennings.

Chicago native Jason Warrior, who has been on three different teams in the competition, did a high-energy rendition of Drake's hit One Dance that saw him drop to his knees on several occasions and dance in front of the judges.

He was followed by bearded soul country singer Sundance Head who took on Keith Urban's country tune Blue Ain't Your Color, which got huge applause from Blake.

County singer: Sundance Head took on a Keith Urban song and advanced

The final singer from Blake's team was Los Angeles songwriter and mother Courtney Harrell who did Roxette's It Must Have Been Love.

Carson then announced that Sundance Head and Austin Allsup had been saved by voters and were through to the next round representing Team Blake.

'This is happening too fast, I can't wrap my head around this,' said Blake.

Country star: Blake Shelton also struggled with his decision

The host: Carson Daly kept the two-hour show moving

'We sit here and try to come up with scenarios but nothing makes sense as I am sitting here looking at three of y'all. Any one of the three of you could win this thing, I believe that in my heart and this part literally sucks you are going to hate this part Miley.'

Blake then saved Courtney Harrell and sent her through to the Top 12.

Miley donned some 'Team Miley' sunglasses as her team got their shot to make their play for a place in the next round.

Saved her: Courtney Harrell was picked by Blake to stay on his team

Sophia Urista was the first team member to go and performed an energetic version of Rod Stewart's Do You Think I'm Sexy before indie singer Darby Walker took on Those Were the Days by Mary Hopkin.

Rocker Aaron Gibson then grabbed his guitar and performed a version of Round Here by Counting Crows followed by Belle Jewel taking on Runaway by Gary Allan as Miley danced along in support.

New York R&B singer Ali Caldwell brought Team Miley's performances to an end with a powerful version of Times Have Changed, which got a standing ovation from all four judges.

Cool glasses: Miley Cyrus donned Team Miley glasses on the show

Standing ovation: Ali Caldwell received a standing ovation from the judges

Alicia Keys told Miley that she felt for her as she had to make a difficult choice from her 'powerhouse team.'

Alicia said she would choose Darby Walker and Ali Caldwell to go through.

Carson then told Team Miley that America's vote had saved Aaron Gibson and Ali Caldwell.

Unique style: Darby Walker impressed yet again with her version of Those Were The Days

'I am not one to listen to anybody so I am the wrong person to chant what to do, I don't listen when people tell me what to do,' Miley told the audience.

'This time I can tell that the room loves the person I am going to pick and I really love the person I am going to pick,' Miley revealed.

Miley then saved Darby Walker, who she called 'my mini-me' and sent her through to the next round.

Moving on: Miley picked her 'mini-me' Darby to advance

Adam Levine's contenders were the last group up to sing for their place in the Top 12.

First up was Brooklyn bartender and rocker Brendan Fletcher who got up on stage with his guitar and performed his version of To Love Somebody by the Bee Gees.

Texas vocalist Simone Gundy then performed a stripped down version of Rihanna's hit Diamonds followed by the country singer who Adam stole from Blake, Josh Gallagher, who sang Colder Weather.

Hit song: Simone Gundy took on Diamonds by Rihanna

Young crooner Riley Elmore took on Frank Sinatra classic Luck Be a Lady, which had Adam pumping his fist and shouting 'My man.'

The final artist of the night was Rhode Island former child star Billy Gilman who sang Crying and himself punched the air after nailing his performance.

Blake then said that he would pick Billy as a 'no brainer' and also Riley Elmore.

Nailed it: Billy nailed his rendition of Crying

'Guys, wow, every single one of you was amazing tonight and I believe that if the best performances of the night were all moving on to next week then all five of you would be safe - but that's just the way it goes,' said Adam.

'Billy you are a no-brainer what you do is tremendous and kind of unbelievable to the ear, you are amazing. Brendan you are so special and what you do doesn't need any of the usual frills of The Voice,' said the Maroon 5 frontman.

'Josh you are a new friend but dude you are amazing and an incredible singer. Riley, I mean look at us. Sinatra is big shoes to fill and you did it with poise.

The coach: Adam praised each of his singers before making his decision

'Simone, you are such a unique spirit and your energy is contagious and everybody loves you,' he added.

Carson then announced that Billy and Josh had been saved, before Adam saved Brendan.

'This is unfair as all of you deserve to make it, this sucks,' he said.

The Voice will return next week on NBC. 

His team: Billy, Brendan Fletcher and Josh Gallagher were left on Adam's team