Tony L.

I think that there are plenty of DCI fans who will say their favorite BD show is one that did not win. For better or worse, not winning is what makes a BD show special to many. For me that would be 1991.

Yes, he is one of the best. and there are several others. I would just ask that if you are at a show and want to share your comments, please post in the review section even if you post the same content in the show threads. So hard to scroll through the whole discussion to find the hidden reviews.

It is tough now. I live in New Orleans now and unfortunately had to travel for work on the one week that I could have gone to Lafayette. I am from the Midwest! I used to see like 4 or 5 shows a year before finals week. Now, nothing!

Just wondering why no one actually posts reviews any more? There are several people out there who had posted great reviews in the past. Now, there are like 4 reviews this whole season! I know people post comments on show threads, but, there is a reason why there is a reviews section on this site. Come on people! I will not see anything until Finals week! I need more impressions from those attending shows.

So very interesting to see the negative comments about the back flips in Vanguard's show this year. There have been backflips (non jesus ones at that) throughout DCI's history. For me the back flips are a symbol of escape from the traditional bounds of earth's forces. Sometimes it makes sense and sometimes it doesn't. In this context, I feel that the flips make perfect sense. Not so much last year . . . .

Wow! Amazing show from Mandarins! No way that is not top 10 in Indy. And I loved Spirit too. Going to be very interesting in Indy! And I completely agree with whoever compared rhe Mandarins guard to Magic of Orlando. That was the first thing I thought when I saw them too!

So thanks to everyone for pointing out that the Colts last beat Madison yesterday! Miss a day you miss a lot!!! Great job Colts!

Wow. Great scores by X-Men and Colts tonight. When is the last time the Colts beat Madison?

Was not at the show, but my sister was there and her thoughts were that Crossmen were remarkably strong and that Crown's show does not have legs. I saw Crown at the theater and I tend to agree. Amazing talent, but that show just goes nowhere. And Crossmen, I am very interested to see where they land this year. Going to be a fun season!

So Vanguard less than one point from BD on opening night generally means SCV by Finals, right? And I am really expecting Mandarins in Finals, sight unseen!

Seems like no one is there. Always quiet at the West Coast shows.

Random musings on opening night. Generally I love the Premiere because it makes all of the corps performing hit the road in a solid state. All corps seemed very well prepared. BS. Really looked great and sounded great. Lots to come I am sure. But very solid. PR. A little rougher than BS, but a pretty solid vehicle for growth. Interesting show that will grow. But really did not like the arrangement of the going home piece in the middle. BAC. Not the powerhouse fan friendly show of last year, but very well performed and a step up in maturity. But I still hate words as drill. And is it just me or did they look like the Cadets with those sashes and the purple color doing that drill? Oh, and not a fan of those corps costumes. Bluecoats. My favorite of the night. Fun show with tons of room for growth. And Bela and Bird in B flat!!! Yes! Cavaliers. Much to love about this show (finally) as I was not a fan of the recent past. So many nods to their history throughout. Great vehicle for them. Crown. Meh. Brass was its super solid self, but why did they decide the thing to do was to feature the drum line as much as possible? Not wise. And visual will kill them this year. Waaaay too cluttered and messy looking. Is it just me or did they look like vintage Magic of Orlando?

These props remind me more of the Mandarins the year they did "On the Waterfront". Perhaps the Cadets guard will end up running across all of the props when they are lined up just like the Mandarins guard did. It was cool then and it should work now.

I feel like I am over Indy. Nice enough venue, but there, but I have run out of things to do. I can't be the only person who feels that way. That might keep that Finals attendance number static as long as it remains in Indy.

For me it is various portions of Cadets (that was something regaedless of how you feel, it was SOMETHING) and that amazing Mandarins performance. Both groups were my favovites and will be the two most watched moving forward. At least from my side.

I am all for the On the Waterfront show. And, interestingly enough, if they were to want to use props, I would recommend they steal the Mandarins short platforms that they used when they did On the Waterfront back in the '90s. Some cool moments with guard running across them. And they were mobile, so not something that would block off a whole part of the field.

Wow. We were constantly harassed.

In the Friends section, they were borderline obnoxious asking to see the ticket. It's like I have already shown you the ticket 5 times! Is it too much to remember me in one small section? During finals I avoided the issue by tagging myself with the ticket to avoid interrogation!

Well I appreciate this forum more now: I feel like a youngster! My first live show was 1988 (and it was an amazing lineup that included Madison, SCV, Phantom, Cavaliers and Spirit). But, I know the importance of history, so I bought and watched/listened to the entire Legacy Collection DVD and CD collection. You have to know where you've been to know where you are going. And some things like the great hornlines at Argonne Rebels, or the Tiger of San Pedro year or the Colts old riverboat gambler uniforms are just gems that must be witnessed and remembered! And to tie it back to this thread, by watching the stuff that came before the Cadets took over in the '80s helps explain why they were as unique and different as they were.

So, as this thread comes to a close I will just say that after finally seeing the show live in Indy, I appreciate it so much more. It truly was like (as someone earlier in this thread had said) an epic movie. Like a big Cecil B. DeMille spectacle. You may not have liked it, but it was definitely a unique experience. One that will be remembered for years to come. At the end of the day all I care about is how a show connects with me. And this connected with me and many others. The Cadets will be fine. Next year should be a great full presentation of music from On the Waterfront and then they can close out the trilogy with something like Kadish, Age of Anxiety or Jeremiah. That is when they will be back in the discussion for medals. Time will tell. But for now just enjoy the positive ending to this season and keep it going.

Hooray. 1000 pages. Amazing year of kvetching!

Oh, one final comment about the show. I feel they would pick up about .5 by simply cutting that insipid "Can I get an Amen!" line. At that point the sinning has insued, so a token throw away line that is somehow supposed to invoke a Southern African American church element really just does not work on soooooo many levels. Worst element of the show in my opinion.

I have to agree with the comments about these performers really selling a VERY different show. And that should be lauded. And in my opinion, that commitment to this type of program by the performers will yield results. I really do liken this show to 1991. A bit of an odd ball show, but one that showed a spark of something new and different. I think it will grow next year when they do something like On the Waterfront and will ultimately pay dived ends with The Age of Anxiety and Jeremiah Symphony. They will be fine. But the creators need to be able to create. We shall see!

Completely agree. My friend got tired of waiting through everything and wanted to leave. I said, great, you remember the way back to the hotel! No way I was going to miss them. And they really delivered! Especially nice touch with the young girls joining the guard during the Fiddler portion. Helps us connect the dots from the older generations to the next. Also really cool response to Appalachian Spring by all of the age outs on the end zone. Much respect shown!

Mandarins! Wow. Favorite show this year!