drumcorpsfever

The Blue Devils continue to load the field with props. Not crazy about the look of the guard or some of the clutter on the field. Music is much more fan friendly this year though still very much BD-esque. Still waiting for them to breakout from their annual show formula. I know I'm probably going to be in the minority on this, but if BD really wants to be the leader of innovation in drum corps, it's time for them to take a risk with a new look and sound. They have the cache to take such a risk. However, as long as they continue to win or contend for titles, BD will continue to be who they are. I'm not sure that's a win-win for all.

After a couple of head-to-head's with Sprit, can this Colts show finish ahead of them? This is going to be a dogfight. Regarding the narration, it didn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would based on all the buzz the conversation I heard on the subject prior to seeing them. This is a very good show!

Really like what I'm seeing from Boston. They've made great headway on cleaning. I really enjoy the show. I do miss the moving block though. Not sure why they took it out - guess it was too hard to clean but it was a really nice effect. Sometimes changes aren't always for the better. The G7 formation is interesting for some of us and wonder if it's created the buzz that the show designers had intended it to create. The dark Conquest has me wanting a little less darkness at that point of the show but the new ending sounds are well done. This show keeps me zoned in. Keep up the great work BAC!

Do not worry about the weather, dear drum fans. I am only teasing you with a few clouds in the sky! Guaranteed it will not rain. Sincerely, Mother Nature

I agree with really digging the synth sound. My understanding is that difference on the fan network for Ft. Wayne and La Crosss was due to the broadcast mic location - not that the synth was turned down. i hope that's the case because I really liked the sound of the full volume and brass together. It's epic and needs to stay that way.

I tend to agree with RConta that Bluecoats got hosed last night in percussion. It doesn't make sense. I'm chalking it up as an anomaly for now. I expect things will work themselves out over the course of the season. Go Bloo

Mother Nature has been awful this year! Enough of the rain already. Time to put the kibosh on the old lady! Current forecast is calling for poor weather from about 3pm to a little after 8pm tonight. My guess is, since this is a regional show, DCI will not let the entire show get rained out if at all possible. Corps on the schedule after 8pm may be okay. Due to travel, I wouldn't expect the show to start later, so earlier corps could get bumped. Don't take this to the bank. It's all conjecture at this point. Let's hope for a break in the weather and that the weather gods shine down on drum corps!

Hi Brasso, Just want to provide the needed correction that Bluecoats last year was 5th.

Yes, the Ft. Wayne pitch bend was too soft. CRANK IT UP! - BREAK MY EAR DRUMS! Totally love it!

Open Class corps are allowed to do a shorter program

Scores were a bit high tonight - at least appears as though they were. Compared to same time last year, scores for Cadets and Phantom were upwards of 3 points higher (reference - Warrenburg, MO on July 11, 2013). Also, either Fort Wayne was too low, or Salem too high. Chalk it up to just another example of why you can't rely on comparative scores from other shows. It's head-to-head that counts. This is why score rankings just don't work.

Hopkins stated that this year's show was a concept that they thought about 10 years ago! TEN YEARS AGO! What does they tell you? It means that it wasn't their top choice for production in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013. No doubt Cadets play the heck out of this show this year, but overall the show lacks the freshness and WOW factor of say, the Bluecoats - who always manage to do new things. SCV - got to agree with you there too. The show seems like something they could have done years ago. Same true with Phantom. Not saying I'm not enjoying their shows, but can't say they're exactly pushing the creative envelop with them either.

What a great story it would be for Music City to go from 2013 Semi's, to hitting a "bump in the road", to winning the OC Championship in 2014. Go MCDC!

The member is fine

I'm confused by the discussion on the story of Boston's show. Yes, I know it's Animal Farm. And yet, when interviewed during the Akron show for the Cinecast, the representative from Boston said that show does not really tell the story from the book - that it's a based loosely on the story ... or at least he said something to that effect. So if that's true, what other interpretations of BAC's show is there?

Since this discussion thread is on the topic of corps travel, I just recently found this cool feature on DCP. If the rest of you already know about this, great. But, I for one, wasn't aware. Pretty cool to see the destinations on the map. Just in case there's others on this site unaware as I was, here's the link: http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/stats-tour-map/

Ah, yes. DCA. Didn't realize that. I enjoyed Cadets2 with Rocky Point Holiday when I was up in Jackson last week. I don't have opionion on surprises but hope to see them all in Rochester.

This is no fluke. Bloo's guard has now knocked off Cadets, Crown,and Blue Devils. If there was Most Improved for any one unit, the Bluecoats guard would win that too. Hmmm, top guard, top percussion, brass within a whisker, high visual... Where might this year take the Bluecoats? Exciting year - so pumped!!!

The Bluecoats source music proves once again that they have a knack for finding music that others haven't played before. And importantly, arranging it in a way that is compelling for both the judge and fan alike. The Bluecoats are the Music Pickers of drum corps! Their music is just so darned fresh from the opening hit and continues all the way through the closer. The sound from the get-go just exudes attitude, panache, and WOW! HUGE props to the arranger-composer duo of Doug Thrower (brass) and Tom Rarick (percussion). Rarick's work may lead to the Sanford this year and Thrower continues to demonstrate his musical mastery and genius year after year. Kudos to the awesome design and instructional staff that has this corps on the precipice of all-time greatness. Brass, percussion, guard - it's all there, producing one of the finest shows we've seen in a long, long time. If there was a DCI trophy for best arrangers, Thrower and Rarick would win it this year. Hand's down!

Looks like there's going to some pretty tight competition for the top of OC this year. Add Music City in the mix as they scored a 60 their first time out of the box. By the time MI City rolls along, there could be 4-5 gunning for OC championship

By the way... CONGRATULATIONS to the corps from Nashville, TN, Music City! Great to see you on the field! Hats off to all who came together in making it happen. Great job tonight in your first show of the year! A very talented drum line and a brass line that sounded pretty good for an early season show. Another large corps on the field. Looks good. Here's hoping you make it to semis again this year!

It will be a fight between the Blues for the gold!

I'm not surprised by the Bluecoats - but I bet some of the late-comers for 2014 are. Came within an eyelash of BD brass tonight, beat 'em in percussion, beat 'em in guard, beat 'em in visual! Hand's down crowd favorite. Bluecoats are no longer a surprise to the drum corps world. This perennial finalist, 4 times a top 5 drum corps in the last 10 years, is poised to make a run at this thing. All corps work hard, but I'm telling you, these kids are truly enjoying the ride. They will stop at nothing to squeeze every ounce of energy out this show!

Last year, on July 25th, Blue Devils beat Crown by 1.05. We all know how 2013 ended up, don't we? ONE little point separating Bluecoats with whom many thought was the forgone favorite for gold this year. Hey DCI - hold off on engraving the trophy! IT'S ON!!! Love ya BLOOOOO!!!!!

Hey Bluecoats fans: Bloo proved tonight they can beat BD and be a very serious and legitimate contender for the gold. Every caption was very thin tonight. Only .2 back in brass, top percussion, top guard, top visual. Need to close the gap in GE. But when you can beat or give BD a run in brass, percussion, guard - these are staples of the Devils. Look out world - if you didn't have Bloo on the radar to win this thing this year, it's not too late to jump on the Bloo Band-err, Corps Wagon! It's going to roll all the way to Indy on finals night!!!