Jurassic Lancer

Colts have some nice soloists, small ensembles

We were late to the show. We were at the Texas Roadhouse across the way, when we learned that a kitchen staff member was accepte at Berkley School of Music and Ball State and didn’t know what to do. So I said, I need to talk to this guy.

Oh I cannot recommend the city, but the university is nice.

We’re here. Our seats aren’t as good as last night. Tonight we are on the 45.

I have little doubt that Cadets are on an upward trajectory

@jwillis35 posted an excellent and accurate review so anything I might write would be redundant, and I have to hit the road for Marion soon, so I will only make some ad hoc observations. Loved Cadets—the brass has improved so much since 2019 it is hard to believe it’s the same corps. Kudos to the players and Matt Stratton and staff. Visually, it was a little wonky, but I hear this isn’t the norm, so I will trust things will be ironed out when I see them next in Indy. Boston, you have a wonderful corps. Your brass was the top of the night for me, and some your 1/16th note runs are very reminiscent of Crown’s legendary licks. Visually, your show looks like how Crown looked before the staff came to Boston—only evolved. This is the visual program BAC wanted when Leon May and company moved north. My one quibble is that as much as I tried to keep the screens in my periphery, they kept drawing my attention away from the superb live visual program, and then my eye was drawn to a large rectangular dead spot on the center right screen. I am the kind of person who will fixate on a dead pixel on my TV, so this really played into my visual OCD. Blue was the GE powerhouse that I have come to know and love. Personally, I thought the first third of the program was great—the thing is, it is the baseline of the show that keeps growing and growing until Golden Slumbers (which to me was the ballad of the night) and all that follows. I agree with the assessment that one of the trumpet soloists had an off night (the bearded one from the great Hey Jude closer in 2019). I doubt that his lip is shot—he was gold in a much longer 2019 season, so I will chalk it up to it being “one of those nights.” At least there weren’t any BD 1989 frack moments. All in all it was a great night, and I am glad I added Akron to my agenda. Live drum corps is the best, isn’t it?

Bluecoats have sold out of masks … good thing our Indy Airbnb has a laundry

Huge lines at Bloo’s suvie tent, but since this is their home show, that is to be expected

We have a gully washer here in Canton, but it looks like the skies will clear by 8:00 in Akron. But if the field is wet, I wouldn’t be shocked if BAC’s video screens are yanked.

Bloo is very vet light this year, which bodes well for next year.

I’m glad I wasn’t here

Doing pregame at the Winking Lizard in Canton, with a Zombie Dust and wings!

Packing up the car, and leaving from Detroit!

Yup

I don’t have Flo. Until I actually hear a positive review of them, I never will. Tomorrow, I begin a run of seeing five live shows in six days. The two shows I am going to before Indy features different corps line-ups, although I will see Bluecoats at each of those shows. I’m glad I decided to wait to see the shows live rather than to see sub-par broadcasts.

That’s why I don’t have flo and will only be watching the corps live next week.

Actually, Bloo is very veteran light this year. The vast majority of the corps is Bloo rooks. This bodes very well for 2022 when many of these rooks return as vets.

I’m sure the announcement of “No vuvuzelas” will be a last second restriction and will have to be broadcast on loudspeakers outside of the stadium as people try to enter. Maybe they can get Dan Potter to announce it.

Was it kale?

👍

It’s pretty quiet on here … is that a good thing?

THERE’S NO TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME IN DRUM CORPS!

You know where to find me — Section 141, last row, seats 1-4. (I am usually in seat 4).

Maybe Rosanna knows. 😂

I will never understand why “He Who Shall Not Be Named” ever switched to those black unis.