Photographer Jim

If one doesn’t love BDC, one has no soul! 😃

Disclaimer: 1) Liviing in the SFBay Area in the Delta region half way between Concord and Sacramento, I must admit to having a definite bias towards my “home teams”. 2) i’ve seen one live show, and a few of the streamed shows, so there are still a number of Midwestern and Eastern corps that I have yet to see. 3) I’ve been a gold-plated BD wonk fooe decades. That said … My favorites thus far:: Mandarins: I’ve watched this corps mature from an “opening act” to a solid contender. This year’s show is simply “bad*ss”, and they perform it with confidence and energy They demand one’s attention and to be taken seriously, I think they have a legitimate shot at making the top five BD: So impressive. Powerful, precise, engaging. Being a “visual guy”, their show is pure eye candy for me. I’m so grateful, living where I do, that I could see the show live. Pacific Crest: A bit of my Cal bias here, and the fact that I was able to see them live. This is another corps I have watched mature over the past decade. It is a joy to see how far they have come. I think that as they move east, they will gain many new fans pulling for them to make the top twelve. (honorable mention) Phtom Reeeeggiment: I have a definite soft spot for PR. Nuff said. while these are my current top corps, I should add that “I never saw a drum corps show I didn’t like”. Eagerly awaiting watching San Antonio

In a sense, the answer is in your question. If all one knows is what they have seen on Flomarching streams or YouTube clips, it is impossible to fully judge what the Mandarins are bringing to the field. Living close to Sac, as I do, I’ve been a Mandarins fan for some time, and very much liked what I saw on Flo earlier this season, BUT when I saw them live Monday night I was blown away. On the field live this show is a powerhouse. Horns, percussion, guard all miles above how they come across in streams. And what is more, they know it! The corps performs with a confidence and energy that has to be seen live to appreciate. They are the real deal; and it shouldn’t be a surprise when they finish in the top five this year.

Totally deserved. They perform like a corps on a mission! They demand your attention and then deliver!

Brassboy’s comments are right on point, especially those pertaining to the poor representation of the corps on Flo-marching. The difference in person compared to what one hears on the stream (even with a top of the line home audio system) is staggering! I’ve heard the comparison in years past, but it never seemed as pronounced as this season. I hope fans make FloSports aware in hopes they can make adjustments in the future. Blue Devils are every bit as good as the grandest hype you may have heard. When heard live, this show is going to make a believer out of even the most adamant BD critic. And Yes, the Mandarins are the real deal. ‘Night all.

Mandarins broke 80!

My pleasure. I wish I could give more “knowledgeable” commentary, but I’m musically inept and my only artistic vein is graphic art. However, I’ve followed DC since I was seven years old (64 years ago) and truly love the activity. Glad I could share some of my reactions and enthusiasm.

Mandarins: with this show Mandarins give notice that their rise the past few years has not been a fluke. They are planning on being a permanent fixture in DCI Finals for a long time to come. Excellent show.

Blue Devils: 😳holy cow! It’s like BD takes the field and says to the audience, “OK people, here it is; try to keep up”. Such energy. Such control. Loud but with incredible blend in the brass. Relentless percussion. Unbelievable guard. Best BD show ever maybe. Wow. Just wow!

Blue Knights: probably the edgiest show I’ve seen from BK in a long time. I’m a long time fan of the corps, this is the biggest brass sound I’ve heard from them. They’ll make finals

Pacific Crest: I keep waiting, and wanting, for this corps, to break through to become a Finalist. I’m just not sure that this show is the one that’s going to do it for them. They are on the brink, but this show is not the vehicle to help set them apart. the large tarp in the lower right corner still bothers me. It’s ok when focus is on that part of the field, but it doesn’t seem to fit for much of the show. however, in general, PC is a fine corps

Academy: much more traditional and serious approach than one is used to from this corps. Musically it’s very enjoyable. Visually it’s average. It is possible to get into finals with this show, but will take work

Gold: excellent corps. Yet another world class corps masquerading as an open class corps! Very powerful sound. if I could change anything it would be to include more variety in the brass dynamics. Right now, everything is loud. Overall, a fine corp that will do well in open class at Indy

BDB: open class corps with world class chops!

Golden Empire: greatly improved from what I remember. Good percussion. They play with a lot of passion and energy

They are, or at least close to it, however, the closeness to the field is a nice consolation. should be amazingly loud when the big corps hit the field

I’m still further to the left! 😀 Must be tough when you only March 13 brass and seven guard. Important thing is they are on the field doing something worth while. Yea, Impulse

A bit warm here ( 90° ). Beautiful facility; exceptional for a high school. I’ve seen community colleges that are not as nice! Really looking forward to this show. Nothing tops a live show, even after following drum corps for 65 years! (Yeah, I’m an old f*rt!) 😜

I’m ten feet to the left! 😅

Have been eagerly awaiting this show so as to see the corps live. You mention that the stadium has no track ( great); how high are the stands? We plan to get there early to grab seats as high up as we can. Just wondering as most HS stands are not high enough to give me the full field perspective I’d like.

As my screen name would imply, I'm very much a visual guy. This Blue Devil's show is pure eye candy for me!

(inner thought) "The way the stadium light are throwing shadows off the prop looks kinda cool"

The Mandarins have come such a long way in the past few years. I've been in the SF/Sac area for 60 years. it has been so enjoyable to have been able to follow their development into the corps they have become.

Wish the cameraman would check his exposure settings; he’s way under.

Shades of Angels and Demons