Kyle B

I love Bridgeport's stadium/bleachers. However, I'm sorry, the town is one of the worst on the circuit. Are people not allowed to comment on that? As a person who has been both a performer and a patron several times, had it not been an awesome stadium to view as well to perform in, I would never want to go there again. If you wanted to warm up out of the neighborhood, you were taking a very big risk. Also, let's not discuss the deplorable state of the bathrooms at the stadium. I'm not sure what is worse, the bathrooms at Bridgeport or the shower situation at Kingston. I predict Fran will do an excellent job announcing

Hmm, I guess there was a large space between one of the drummers and the other combined with my extreme viewing angle made it look like there was one not being used.

I hate to say it, but the new uni's are more unkind to the larger folks. Also, there are 4 frames, not 3. They just hoist up 3.

Well, speaking from the kick-pleats from 2006-on, the continuously open kick-pleats were significantly dirtier than the alumni style that flowed with each step. Having something dangling on your foot was never going to help them. Also, it was overdue because they were 70 years old. Does this mean they were hated - no. Just means it was time for a change. Bluecoats had awesome uniforms - then they wanted something new, and now Bush is the recipient of them. Change ain't bad when it's done right.

Also, I have to say the Bucs show is purely amazing. They must have said when designing it - let's not tell a story, let's kick some ### and play good. Because thats what they do. They really are doing very tasteful electronics - poor Fran Haring will never introduce them this year. The pre-show is jaw dropping when the corps is officially 'announced'. I got goosebumps at their pre-show run-through when I was actually standing below the corps in front of their pit. I also can't believe they are the first corps to think of this, because any corps with a pre-show should think about doing it. I was also laughing uncontrollably towards the end of the show when they do their company front. You will see why. If I wasn't getting married this summer I would desperately want to fill any type of spot they had because it's just a good ol' fashion drum corps show with some electronics.

Actually, my biggest gripe against the Cabs the last few years is how the show design fits in. I've really enjoyed the last 3 years shows (including this years especially) but from a design aspect, I still don't get it. Chaining up and removing them at least 3 times goes against the Unchained theme (some don't like the effect, I however do.) It will open itself up for some dirt, like how much is one chain drooping compared to the next one, but I like the effect, but when thinking through the show, leaves a some people I talked to confused. As well as the suspended snare drummer. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! But again, they are hooking/chaining themselves up to it. They also need to a lot more with this. The Tenor part was a big let down compared to the snare. Would have done that first when designing. Afterwards, only noticed 2-3 horn players playing off them, which just seemed to conjure up the ladders from a few years ago. Last, Unchained Melody, every time they play it, I like it, except for the small ensemble. Instrumentation didn't work and sounded extremely timid in both Friday/Saturday run throughs and the rehearsal. If my biggest gripe is design, I can live with that because musically, it is very fun to listen to. Uniforms...eh. My friend seems to think they are going to add on to the uniforms. Long overdue, but was expecting something with more flair and not plain-jane.

Why in the world are there only 4 judges for the first 2 weeks? Both shows do pretty well for attendance, so they can afford to bring everyone in.

I'm a Bucs homer admittedly, but it is not a convincing spread. To say it's not catchable, Cabs proved that wrong last year. It's early season, and I LOVE the Bucs show, and Cabs show has a LOT of really good moments. It's going to be a great year for DCA. Maybe my next show I'll write a review, but people, get to a show. You will be entertained.

Saw the Bucs & Cabs run through last night. Also saw Bucs run today. Easily their best show since 2012. Going to be amazing when clean. Already got solid goosebumps 10 seconds into show, while being on the ground.

There is/was a video of it on youtube.

Well, sending your members to corps that are active would mean when they come back they would have the experience. Also, last I checked, the only competitive circuit out there is DCA.

Bushwackers are on the rise and still need a few spots. Hopefully they will be encouraged to check them out.

WR isn't even on the schedule anymore. They were only scheduled for 3 shows originally.

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Wasn't 1993 the worst? Where a DM/later director of another corps just so happened to lead the audience in Booing them.

Bucs had 176 drill sets from what I was told. Another close competitor had about 76. But again, it's only impressive if you can pull it off, and that they did.

It doesn't matter the difficulty of a show (to some degree,) it matters how you perform it VOReason.

I don't think anyone is really putting a corps down, whether it's 11th or 12th place. Everyone understands the logic of having "filler" after all is done, they are just stating many peoples belief that if you don't make finals, you don't perform at finals.

USBands and TOB are the major ones

I wrote the same thing last week at Reading, and apparently it was addressed to the Guard since it was mentioned at critique. I do agree that they had a really good show, but I can't help remember the bad rather than the good. Good luck with not getting hate mail (see the Championship thread.) Overall, I really enjoyed your review!

I enjoyed C2's show this year, but sitting field level last week at Reading, their feet were all over the place, awful intervals/spacing between people, and their brass line had some issues. I think if there was a field brass judge, they wouldn't have placed as high IMO.

Wow. The director of WR being rude? Now that's the biggest surprise of the weekend. [sarcasm off]

Last week at the Reading show, many top corps had tons of feet issues.

1986, Bush as far as I can tell. Cabs and Steel City were tied for first. Though I believe Prelims and Finals were on the same day back then.

I wasn't there in 05, but apparently, it should have never been a penalty as I've been told by some higher ups. It should have been a fine instead.