Quad Aces

Do they play more in tune than the non-electronic variety? Asking for a friend…

The gate(s) opened at 3:30 p.m. I got there about 3:15 p.m., and there were already easily about 1000 people in line. Did take me about an hour to get in once the gate(s) did open.

At the risk of sounding completely naïve , what exactly was the app used for/what was going on in it during Crown’s show? And no, this is absolutely not an attempt at trolling - I genuinely am interested in knowing, since I didn’t use it during a show this season (please read on). I loved Crown’s show this year - such an incredible amount of energy! One of my favorite shows of the season. I wanted to watch the show itself last night at LOS, instead of checking out the app during their performance. I thought the ballad alone was one of the most memorable parts of the entire DCI season! Congratulations on a great season, and looking forward to seeing what’s in store for 2023!

Exaggeration aside, that would depend on the individual’s motivation. If they’re in the “Anybody but Blue Devils” crowd, then sure. Otherwise, why is it so hard to believe that some people feel BD’s shows have become repetitive (even though they always perform to the highest of standards)? Just because it differs from your own opinion, therefore it can’t possibly be true? Or because BD has won 20 championships everyone is obligated to love their shows? I’m open to legitimate suggestions as to why (some) people are so shocked about a differing opinion, in a subjective activity nonetheless.

You’re welcome - BD always has great performances that are full of excellence, going back to the first time that I saw them in 1985. Well, at least you are trying to have some discourse instead of flat out attacking, so thank you for that…I think…besides your laugh emoji on my original post. IMHO, if someone is that intolerant of another person’s opinion that differs from theirs that it is perceived as a “wet blanket” or a “killjoy” - let alone straight up attacks for nothing more than a thought out post - then they have other issues to deal with other than trying to have a conversation in a forum about a niche activity.

Glad to see that you are at least being respectful of someone else’s (Skevinp’s) different opinion. But as long as you asked and tried to have a civil conversation, I’ll take the bait… IMHO: the use of standalone “vignettes” as movements to their show, highlighting the technical prowess of a featured soloist (a la Flight of the Bumblebee, Carnival of Venice, etc.), movements tied together by non sequitur transitions, “free form” drill design where performers hit their dot in any way that they would like in order to play the next staged section of the show, show titles that don’t really matter much, a pop/standard ballad where most of the other show music is unfamiliar to most people (even people with experience), an obligatory hip hop/k-pop dance section, a loose narration or voiceovers in a deep mysterious voice or foreign language, vertical props to feature an entire section, etc. are what makes BD very repetitive recently. I realize that every corps uses some of the aforementioned list, but BD tends to check nearly all of these boxes every year lately. As I sat in LOS and watched their show tonight, I saw almost every single one of these boxes checked in real time - again. That doesn’t mean that they don’t perform what they are given very well or that the design isn’t a good layered design with lots of detail and nuances - their shows always are. And that doesn’t mean that I hate them because they win - a lot. Again, I have a ton of respect for BD. I just feel that their design team has been using the same plug and play format for a while now, and it has become boring. Obviously, everyone has their own opinion too, and this activity is a very subjective activity. Regardless, I’ll be back in LOS next year, watching BD having another excellent performance again. It’s all good - really, it is!!

And I can respect that. But I’m the other hand… To each their own. Have a good rest of your evening!

Glad to see that’s the way that you react to someone who has a different of opinion than yours. It’s all good, though - you do you!

…but that’s not the case. And sorry you think a different opinion is rude. You do you, though - it’s all good!

Again, sorry you can’t tolerate a different opinion than yours. You do you, though - it’s all good!

What lack of etiquette?? I posted a thought out post that has a different opinion. Sorry if you can’t accept that someone doesn’t share the same as yours. I didn’t attack anyone. Now on the other hand… Time to move along - you do you, it’s all good!

No, you didn’t say that I couldn’t have a different opinion, you just showed a lack of class and respect to someone who did. That’s NOT how this is supposed to work.

I gotta say, Chief Guns and theonlyfizzle - you guys are class acts. You respected my difference of opinion in show design (but embraced my compliments of BD). Unlike the nonsense/garbage/vitriol I’m getting from others for the exact same post in the Finals thread. I’d like to buy you guys a beer someday! Congrats again on Number 20! And Chief, congrats to your son - Gold had an outstanding season, and best of luck to him in his future!

I mentioned this point literally one other time during the Summer - after San Antonio, so relax and don’t over exaggerate. And you can be a good sport and respect someone else’s difference of opinion. It’s all good, though - you do you!!

So they just won (but not literally BTW), does that mean I can’t have a different opinion than you? And if you look around, you’ll see I’m not the only one that shares this opinion. But you do you - it’s all good!

Really sorry you can’t accept that someone might (just might) have a different opinion than you. Glad you’re not on the DCI welcoming committee.

Very childish. And I don’t have a a “fav”. Just calling it like I see it.

Not trying to be. Just stating an opinion from someone who’s been around the activity for 35 years. And if you look around, you’ll see that I’m not the only one who feels that way. But you do you - it’s all good.

More like BD 2022 (IMHO) = meh/yawn. Rerun.

To each their own.

Congrats to BD on another championship! I have been around this activity for a long, long time, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for them. They win - a lot. And better yet, everything they do they do with excellence. However, IMHO, I feel their show designs have gotten very formulaic - and therefore stale and boring. It feels like it’s the same show every year lately, with just a different show title. Again, always excellent, and congrats on the win. But here’s hoping for something new from BD in 2023.

Congrats to BD on another championship! I have been around this activity for a long, long time, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for them. They win - a lot. And better yet, everything they do they do with excellence. However, IMHO, I feel their show designs have gotten very formulaic - and therefore stale and boring. It feels like it’s the same show every year lately, with just a different show title. Again, always excellent, and congrats on the win. But here’s hoping for something new from BD in 2023.

Types, definitely hope everything is ok for the next couple of days (and beyond). Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know what happened to the Phantom member that was being helped off the field at the end of the show? Was it a bass drummer? Twisted ankle? Great show Phantom (and great comeback from 2019)!!

Agreed. Those type of comments are just flat out ridiculous and/or naïve. Regarding success breeding hate - for sure a real thing. Happens all the time in any activity. See: Duke basketball, Christian Laettner (see the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary entitled “I Hate Christian Laettner” of all things), New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Avon and Carmel HS in BOA, Yankees, Derek Jeter, Chicago Bulls of the 90s, Michael Jordan, LA Lakers dynasties, Lebron James, Boston Celtics dynasty, UCLA basketball in the John Wooden era, etc., etc., etc. The better the group/team/player, the more the hatred escalates. I never buy into the concept of hating any group/person because they are that good - I am always amazed at how they can be that good for that long instead.