Tony L.

Minneapolis, Seattle, Atlanta and Phoenix

Suddenly I feel like Pacific Crest should do a Guns and Roses show. It's so easy!

Mandarins should do a show based on the music from the movie Suspiria. Either version. Who better to bring a coven of witches to the field!

I'll play. In no particular order: Crown Pacific Crest Blue Knights Jersey Surf Colts Spartans

So, given all that has happened with the Cadets the past few years, I would love to see a show about becoming a Cadet (or any corps for that matter). Essentially follows the process of auditioning and doing all of the hard work to make a corps. In the case of the Cadets, it culminates with wearing the maroon and gold with an actual shako. I imagine a big company front at the end to What I did for love. Everything leading up to the end can be as modern as you like, but the end would be intentionally old school. Anyway, just a thought.

Yeah, both myself and a guy in my row ended up buying the same Mandarins zip up hoodie. They got me!

I see two paths forward based on prior examples: that of Vanguard and Cavaliers when they slipped a bit in the rankings and that of Madison Scouts. Please just don't chose the path of perpetual changes. Chaos is never the answer!

So, as a complete outsider, with no affiliation other than financial contributions over the years, I just want to say Thank You to all of the performers this year. While we can all spend the hours debating the flaws of the show this year, I still maintain that these performers did what the Cadets have always done: made the absolute most of what has been given to them through hard work. As for 2019, I for one am OK with where this ended this year because there were flashes of what make the Cadets great. Transition is hard and will take time. Now it is on to next year!

Unfortunately I did take a hotdog break during Academy (have seen that twice and that was plenty) tonight. And my other selection would be Blue Stars. Nice shows, but just not connected to them in any significant way.

1987 Cadets. No doubt. My alltime favorite and that disolving company front! Such an iconic show and performance!

Much love to Pacific Crest on a fantastic season! I thought Prelims was amazing energy, but Semis was the next step! One of my top 5 this year. Thank you!

I have to say that tonight's CG run was one of the best runs I have ever seen. I am really hoping they max it out tomorrow and win the caption again. So much demand. It is insane!

I know how horribly OC gets treated on Finals night. Pretty much an embarassment. The thanks to sponsors should go first, then Marines and then OC champion. No idea why DCI seems content to make prefinals so excruciating.

I am not so sure about that. I know I am no longer hanging out for the final scores on Semis because they always drag it out way too long. But if they were to lead into the first corps on Saturday, I think that would be a bigger crowd. But, I do not remember if OC champ usually went on before or after the Marines. Should be right before corps #12 IMHO.

Is it just me or is it insane that they are moving the Open Class Championship Encore performance to the end of Semis instead of before Finals? So Spartans now have to perform twice in one night and do not get the exposure of being the intro for the big show. Why?

Well they took no prisoners tonight. But Finals is not in the cards. The key should be to keep their place and build on that score. If they do, they set a new record high score, no? Either way, this show and performance reminds me of the Mandarins two years ago -- the year they just missed Finals. Great year, but you just could see the future. I think this year could be key to them taking that next step! Just love them this year.

I tend to agree about Bloo's opener being the weak link in the show. It starts off cool, but is somehow clunky, especially when they have I Wanna Hold Your Hand interlude. But, after that, the flow is brilliant. Also, wasn't there more sing at the end when they did it in Allentown?

Thoughts from tonight. Kudos to Pacific Crest, just a fantastic performance. Well deserved jump in placement. Loved both Bloo and BD (which is not something I say in most years). Can really see switched placements in semis and finals. Also loved Crown. The music and drill are amazing! I think they snag a medal on Saturday! CG is going to be a real battle. Well deserved win tonight by BD, and I think the judge was right on this. Boston has an insane book, but had some performance flaws tonight. Clean those up and I think that swings to Boston. Cadets have really maxed out a flawed program. Such great work and improvement. BK had a rough run tonight. I counted 2 falls and one minor collision. And just seemed tentative. I think they improve tomorrow. Overall great day of drum corps. Same seats tomorrow. Can't wait to see how this plays out!

Pacific Crest did not come to play with these fools! Wow!! It is such a shame that that show will not be in the Cinecast. Love them this year.

Love that Surf show. Best total package from them ever!

Much improved from Allentown Cascades! Way to fight for your spot in Semis! Bravo.

And it is not just a Cadets thing. I would have been horrible in this environment. I could never could keep track of that many measures of doing nothing!

Just arrived downtown Indy and see a group of Devils (assuming showcase participants) walking around in uniform. They look like fancy streetwear in this environment!

The lack of playing is very obvious, especially as an ensemble, when the complete show is performed as a standstill. That is when you can really see who plays and when.

Seems to me the flaw in this year's show is that it is not artistically coherent. Things happen and they just do not make any sense collectively. The performers are doing all they can, but honestly if this show was being done by a corps in the group just out of finals, they woud be lucky if they made top 17 or so. At this point it is simple: enjoy what you can about the show and the performances and work on things next year.