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I do find it interesting that back when I fell in love with the activity in the late 80s/early 90s, there were a lot less people on the field for a show than there are now and they covered a lot more of the field. The megaprops we see today are used almost exclusively to shrink or "shape" the field/stage, and even though they're marching with almost 30% more members on the field than in 90s, corps are generally covering less of the field than ever. It ends up looking less elegant and almost messy for me most of the time. i was thrilled to see how minimal Boston was this year with props, and SCV the last couple of years as well

Today I watched a highly ranked BOA band's show. Before I get into it, let me say that the band is excellent, with talented, well-trained performers. They are a "success". The first thing I noticed is very elaborate and colorful props rolled onto the field, and they did catch my eye/attention. They were moved around for different stagings during the show. However, though I felt that they were out there for a "message" that relates to the show, I could not for the life of me tell you what that messages is. Since I have judged, between drum corps, band, and indoor, literally thousands of shows, I am not coming without knowledge. Now, the props did allow for some good staging ideas for both the musicians and guard, there was no doubt on the detail of these props to do more than that, and considerable effort (and cost) was done to construct them. I find that many corps and now band shows try to have a theme or tell a story. You have 9-13 minutes, so you need to make it work. Some go to great lengths in the attempt. Still, if you need to tell me the story in advance, perhaps you need to rethink your show. The number of shows that I observe and say, "well, they have some sort of theme and/or story, but I have no clue as to what it is", is substantial. Way back in the day, many shows were "themeless" and "storyless". The musical selections were somehow sewn together, and among the better corps, it worked fine. I can still remember when Jerry Seinfeld, on his show, goes in with George Castanza to pitch their "show about nothin'". That "show about nothin"" was exactly that, yet it worked, and was one of the most popular comedy TV series in history. I would pay to hear, "Performing their 2026 show entitled, "Some Songs that We liked and Decided to Play"............. To be blatantly honest, I think that many, many fans could care less about a "story" or "theme".....they just want to hear some great arrangements, played masterfully with emotion, and a crisply performed visual program that presents the music well. So, to the creative teams coming up with things now.............I ask that you "do your own thing", and not necessarily emulate what has already been done. If you spend a ton of time, effort, and money on props......make sure the concept will work If you have a storyline/theme, make sure that the vast majority of the audience does understand, and also that you are not doing things just to appease the wishes of a few visual folks. You also do not have to do the exact same body movements that everyone else does. Simple horn angles and "horns to the box" at various times can be quite effective.....perhaps a bit more effective than "squatting", for example. If you are spending thousands of dollars on props, make sure that you "get your money's worth, and that their use appeals to a majority of fans, and not just to judges.

Not to mention the cost of needing an extra tractor trailer or two to cart around your giant chairs/kaiju death mosquitos/whatever

Cadets 2001 : Juxtaperformance Cadets 2003: Our Favorite Things

Why all the secrecy? No one is speaking disrespectfully about this band -- spill the beans, I want to watch! 😄 For the record, in case "The Void" is what is being referenced, here is is [Tarpon Springs HS]:

My preference is theme over storytelling, unless the storytelling is obvious. When it comes to obvious storytelling, I think of Academy in 2015 with Mary Poppins, 2016 Drum Corpse Bride and 2017 the Looney Tunes show. Anyone could understand these shows and they were loved. BD in 2014 with Felliniesque was perfect story telling. So too have been Bloo’s shoes in 2019, 2021, and 2022. You don’t need a long explanation about these shows. Themed shows where music and drill tell the story work. BAC’s Boom is a great example and a bit lower down in placement, Blue Stars’ theme and music selections told a story and while you could argue “The Winner Takes it All” is not sports themed, it was a great ballad. Shows with darker themes, too many props, and music that may fit but is not instantly recognizable can be difficult to appreciate. By finals I have seen the top 12’s shows live at least four times. Some years I scratch my head trying to figure out what is happening, how the music fits, and what the story and theme are. I know it by finals but some years it’s a struggle.

unpredictability with placement can add some excitement, but the last few years my favorite shows haven't been in the top 4. those shows are great, and i won't argue the placements, but i've found more shows outside the very top i'd rather rewatch or listen to the last several years

i'm thrilled he went the way he did especially after 19 and 22

I’ll have been attending Allentown most years since 2012 (I missed 2014 and like everyone 2020) and Indy since 2012 (except 2014, 2015, and like everyone 2020). The only other times I went to finals prior to 2012 was when they were held in Foxboro. In 2012 I thought everything was great. Loved the shows, they had the DCI parade on Saturday morning, and though I was not new to drum corps, Indy was a new experience. I went to Atlanta in 2014 because I couldn’t go to Indy that year and I enjoyed the enthusiasm of a younger crowd. I still go to shows but often it seems the same. I enjoy most of the shows, sit in a block with great folks, and every year I’ve been glad I attended. However since about 2018 or so I’ve debated as to whether I really want to go again. I purchase tickets knowing I can sell them or give them away if I decide not to go, but I hope to go back to Ireland and if friends and family members say they want to go too, I might be catching Indy via Flo Marching. For me, the predictability of placements is a drawback. I’m thrilled we have a Bluecoats/Boston Crusaders rivalry. Though I knew 2024 would be Bluecoats’ year, I loved BAC edging closer. In 2025 I was 90% certain that it would be BAC but Bloo was fierce too and both had incredibly strong performances each night in Indy. I was on the edge of my seat. Crown’s improvement at the end was exciting as was whether it would be SCV or BD in third.

Sadly “entertaining” is subjective. I really only liked about 3 shows this year. Last year I couldn’t even remember anything about any of them. It’s very disheartening. I love the activity, but there really isn’t much in it for me anymore.

Although those black Aussies DID absorb some heat during daylight performances...but were WAY more comfortable than my shako was with RC...

Technically yes, but that was at a time where a “concert “ piece was still acceptable. Garfield was basically the only corps that didn’t have an extended stand still.

Getting back to the OP’s original idea of the post- I think I know the band you are talking about. And without naming names, I too was a bit perplexed as to what the “ letters”, or whatever the prop was were trying to do. (Orlando Regional, BOA, if it is who you are referring to). I remember when Mike Cesario used to say on the DCI PBS broadcasts , “ Madison is the concept”. And honestly, there is probably an entire audience out there like me who is OK with drill demand and difficult horn books still hanging out at this DCI party. I have been wondering about the props too as being absolutely necessary. But I get why. Personally, it’s been a struggle to grasp some corps concepts since Bluecoats 2016 and BD 2014 changed the game. There are some shows from this past year that I had no idea what was happening or why certain items on the field were needed. Other shows, I “got” the message, ( if that is what it was supposed to do), but didn’t find them entertaining. That said, my favorite show of the past year was Crossmens’, “Crosswalking”. Concept was easy to understand. Music was grooving. The Aussie was back. Props, not many or none at all. One half of the 50 was used, and the other came in later on on the show. Color me entertained. Other shows like Mandarins, Phantom, and somewhat SCV, were shows I had a hard time understanding. Especially Mandarins, after really loving, ( and absolutely getting the concept), of what they did last year with the New Orleans theme. Cavies and their anniversary show 2 years ago, was marvelous. But this year, also scratching my head. Don’t get me wrong, I am not about to make that exit into dinoland off the expressway. But I am finding it harder to understand certain shows and am asking myself why corps needed to change clothes and prop it up. They were pretty #### cool to begin with. Influenced quite a lot of us with exactly who they were. I guess its just an an acquired taste. When the Cadets left us, it was perhaps more then just what they did with drill, speed, and movement (as we knew them), that left too….

BAC arguably went there too with the hoops for Glitch and atoms for Boom. Yes "stuff" but not like huge field defining stages, chairs, cubes, ramps, etc. That were strategically used with the drill to create coverage. SCV's dots were doing this last year, albeit on a smaller scale perhaps letting the drill be more of the coverage. Both were really effective and felt like fresh approaches. So a third year of this would indicate a trend should both teams do it and others start to bandwagon onto it. There are, of course, the other financially beneficial reasons to do it. I'm sure it's easier to disassemble atoms and store them away than it was the massive cones from Paradise Lost. Crown frankly should take note. I know RHRN gets flack for what they tried but I think the principle of using fabric as field visuals rather than a massive stage or space demon mosquitoes from Whitewater makes more sense. They just need to get the mix right. Inferno did it pretty well for them, there was the ladder at the end but most of the 'block visuals' were created by either flyovers or the corps themselves under fabric.

This… Amazing brass and percussion performances accentuated by brilliant kaleidoscopic choreography. Attempt this today and you’ll trip over a power cord or run smack into a prop… the result of a hostile takeover by WGI and their minion BOA.

Interesting. I thought both SCV and Blue Coats were high art and Boston definitely had swagger. And ALL were entertaining.

That means different things depending on what bus you rode.

Just a foot soldier. And happy to do my part. Thanks though.

You know … cotton khaki shirts and pants weren’t so bad.

the baritones at the end of the opener nearly blew my speakers out in their first few streamed performances before they toned it back a little. their sound was absolutely glorious, and when i saw them at finals it was THE moment of the year for me. this was that hit in the first week of june and it's just huge for that early in the season. same moment at finals: 2007 was a weird year for me. I didn't care much for BD until I finally saw them live on finals night, but they completely blew me away just like the Cadets. It was another year where I would've been fine with a tie.

Top deck of Giants Stadium/Metlife?

78, 87, 89, 93, 19 would all like to join the conversation