PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 returned to NBC on Tuesday, July 11, following a July 4 break. MOS, an all-female brass band, performed a unique interpretation of Jessie J's 'Bang Bang,' but viewers were dissatisfied, comparing their performance to that of a 'parade.'
'AGT' Season 18 began tonight following a Fourth of July hiatus, with 14 new acts performing for judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara in the hopes of receiving three yeses and moving on in the competition. This week's 'AGT' performances included a military chorus singing in honor of a deceased soldier, a puppet act that has Simon's number, and a firefighter attempting to win back his ex-wife with a song he wrote specifically for her. Even though spectators were left disappointed, a brass band composed of feisty girls from Japan managed to make judges' mouths drop. This is how it went.
'You usually don't see girls play'
MOS took the stage to perform their song 'Bang Bang'. The four Japanese girls are visiting America for the first time. "It's fun to see an all-girl group playing an instrument you usually don't see girls play," Heidi remarked. Simon said that not even in his "wildest dreams" could he have imagined that act.
The judges were taken aback when the girls put on an exciting performance, complete with superb dancing. The band's full sound comprises a trumpet, a trombone, and two saxophones. The musician's musical abilities are on full display, with two well-placed saxophone solos in particular.
The audience was on their feet at the conclusion, and Simon was beaming. And just when you think the show is over, there's more! Howie does not wait until the end of the performance to give the ensemble a standing ovation. He said, “I love the sound of brass instruments…original…surprising.” Sofia called them magical, adding, “I think you guys are great.” Heidi called it a “great audition.” Simon said, “Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine a girl group to come on and play that song with those instruments.” The entire time, he didn't think it sounded terrific. But he still likes them a lot. “I loved it.” The band gets four yesses.
'Not even playing those instruments!'
Reacting to the performance, viewers took to Twitter to claim, "no way they were actually playing those instruments….. so fake!!!" Another person chimed in, "Not even playing those instruments!" While some felt, "4 yesses?? not a million dollar act. c'mon judges." A fourth user also noted, "good but for a parade , not agt, not a million dollar act."
On YouTube, fans wrote, "Not particularly something Id go see at a Vegas show but they're really good and I hope many opportunities become available to them after this." Another user questioned, "unpopular opinion: I am not convinced rhey were actually playing. Anyone who plays an instrument knows how impossible it is to play in some of those positions, and often times their fingers were not moving with the music. Anyone else notice this?"
Tune into NBC on Tuesdays to catch new episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 at 8 pm/ET.
