Performance and Judges' Verdict
Singing duo Bird & Byron earned a place in the live rounds of NBC's "America's Got Talent" season 21 after judge Howie Mandel used his individual power to advance them during the second week of Judges' Callbacks. The act, consisting of vocalist Blake Bergere and guitarist Nick Lorenz, performed an original song called "By My Side" during the Tuesday, Aug. 11 episode while facing elimination. Mandel's decision sent the New Albany, Ohio duo through to the Live Quarterfinals alongside Nene Royal, Cris Sosa, Daniel Alvarez, Kameron Marshall, Brook Lynn, and Olivia Befus, while Naimana and Daniele, Rynia Kando, Vahtang, and Darrell Moten were eliminated.
What Set the Performance Apart
Bergere and Lorenz reached the Callbacks by earning "Yes" votes during regular auditions, then faced a second-chance round that required them to deliver under pressure with an original composition. Their audition song, "I'll Always Be There," had earlier drawn four "Yes" votes from the panel. Mandel praised the duo after the callback performance, telling them their singing was "so good" and their playing "so haunting," and added that they were "already a success" regardless of the outcome. The pair's friendship traces back to childhood in central Ohio, a backstory the show highlighted during the episode.
Coaching and Showmanship Notes
Guest advisors Nikki Glaser, Lele Pons, and Sebastián Yatra joined Mandel and Sofía Vergara for the second week of Callbacks. Glaser focused her advice on Bergere's stage presence, telling him she noticed he closed his eyes during the performance and urged him to "be the front man." Mandel echoed the message, telling Bergere he was "closing us off" and encouraging him to "share the vibe with America." The feedback centered on transforming the duo's intimate musical style into a more outward-facing stage presentation suitable for live competition.
Path to the Live Quarterfinals
Bird & Byron now prepare for the Live Quarterfinals, scheduled to begin Tuesday, Aug. 18 on NBC, with streaming available the following day on Peacock. The Callbacks round itself is a new addition to AGT's format for season 21, designed to give acts that earned "Yes" votes during auditions a second chance before live competition begins. Mandel exercised the individual selection authority granted to each judge, bypassing a group decision to wave the duo through.
What Remains Uncertain
How far Bergere and Lorenz progress in the live rounds will depend on viewer votes and judge input across successive weeks of competition. The episode did not specify how many additional Callbacks weeks remain before all live-show slots are filled, leaving the broader season 21 schedule beyond the Aug. 18 quarterfinal start unclear from the available reporting.
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