queenanne_1536

I think you and I witnessed a completely different show.

I remember too. I was sitting in the Vanguard section jumping up and down and screaming like an fool when they won. I was so happy. They hadn't beaten Devils since June 2007, so it was a looong time coming. I definitely remember the show not being done because they ended after the dance, and when I heard that ending I was extremely disappointed I didn't get to hear it live. I also remember coming on here after that show saying they could win it all. I thought that night they were going to win it all, and they did. Again - I'm fine not having the drill, guard work, body movements, etc... finished. I just feel they should play their entire show for their fans. People in the midwest and east have it easier - they get to see these corps mid- to late- season. For us on the west coast, this is all we get. But, whatever, you're all right - I should just stop complaining. I've watched the show 4 times and love it. It'll get there.

I agree. This show is championship caliber. For sure. I'm sure when they get the ending in it's going to be truly spectacular, and I bet those all white unis are going to be striped away to reveal something truly wonderful and colorful (it would fit the theme). We know they'll challenge for top percussion, and I think they will challenge for top brass and guard, too.

That depends on what the individual considers to be their money's worth. I'm not afraid to admit that I never go to a show for the entire night. I got to a show really to see the top corps. I watched only the second half tonight, and honestly, I won't be watching anyone but Vanguard, Devils and Mandarins tomorrow night. Your green banana analogy is silly. I think a better one is one doesn't go to the Metropolitan Opera to see 3 out 4 for acts of an opera.

And in 2018, the members of the Blue Devils were asked to do as much as the members of the Santa Clara Vanguard, yet Devils gave us a full show and Vanguard did not.

Wrong. The paying customer is not irrelevant. The paying customer is the most important part of this activity. Without us, there wouldn't be any shows. While I'm fine with the drill and the guard work not being finished this early, I think it should be a requirement that the full show is played. It's hugely disappointing when you attend a show and don't get to hear the whole show.

Not sure how I feel about this show yet. Loved their use of props and the guard uniforms and book is pretty good. I think this might be a grower, not a shower.

Vanguard was sensational tonight. I think this show will be vying for the title. So much better than 2019 IMO. I agree with others that the musical book was great in 2019, but it was too one note. The whole show seemed to move at a moderate tempo. There was little tempo variation. It needed and explosive fast ending.

Culver's is the bomb. I miss Culver's - we don't have it out here.

Haha. I'd rather have Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, or a stale piece of toast than In N Out. Haha. I'm not a burger fan and their fries suck!

No obvious bias. This is championship caliber. I hope they can pull it off. I have a huge Vanguard bias and did not like the 2019 show in the least. The 2022 show is exceptional in every way, and I think they'll likely be challenging for all caption awards this year. It's spectacular and I'm sure once that closer gets in, it's going to be incredible.

I know. I usually go to Stanford, which is usually their second show 🙂 I still don't like it. I think for a paying audience you should at least play your full show. That closer in 2018 was the greatest thing (for me) in drum corps in decades and I didn't get to even hear it live.

Well, I think all of those who had Vanguard 4th, 5th or 6th are going to be way off the mark this year.

To all the people in the predictions thread who had Vanguard 4th, 5th or 6th - I think you were way off. This is a championship caliber design. So much better than 2019, and in line with their great productions of 2017 and 2018.

So disappointed Vanguard wasn't finished. They should be required to at least plan their full show even if the last few minutes are standstill. I hope they get it on the field soon because what that have so far is great.

I'm so happy for your son. I'll be nervously watching tonight. GO VANGUARD!

I just listened to Boston's concert in the park. I love this show. Music is great and I feel it is a step up from their 2017-2019 books for sure. Can't wait to see it on the field.

I just listened to concert in the park and IMO this is the best musical book from them in years. I cannot guess where they'll place. We are listening to a standstill performance which doesn't have the best sound quality, and we haven't heard anyone else. They could be 5th in brass, they could be 15th. I don't know. But, I absolutely LOVE the music of this show. It's so aggressive and this is what this corps needed to do musically. I can't wait to see what they do on the field.

True story. The year I won - winning for me would have been placing 4th, because that's the highest placement I thought we could get before the season started. It was one of those times in life when you end up being so happy to be wrong.

That is such a good point. For my friends in Sky Ryders in '88, winning was making finals. For my friends in Crossmen in '89, winning was making finals. I'm sure many corps have felt this. I think the most heartbreaking losses are placing 2nd or 13th.

I agree. It's ridiculous. As as happy as I was in 2018 when Vanguard beat Blue Devils at Stanford - I mean I jumped up and down like I was mad with glee, I was shocked they won given they didn't have a finished show. Back in the 80s and 90s the cleaner shows won early and the more demanding shows took time to clean and overtake the easier shows. Not that way today. It's ALL about design. We will never see a corps that finishes 7th or lower beat the eventual champion again. It's not the way the sheets are designed. I do, however, believe that if a corps like Boston has the best design and gives the best performance on finals night they will win, even though they have never placed in the top 4. It has more to do with the progression of taking for ever for things to gel and to get things right and nothing to do with this silly idea that the judges just won't let it happen. If Boston won it would be GREAT for the activity, actually. From 2007 to 2019, BD has finished in the top 2 every single year. That's a huge problem for anyone else. To win, you have to beat the Blue Devils. That's another huge problem for anyone else. It's like climbing Everest, honestly. Not only do you have to beat BD, you have to beat corps like Bluecoats, Vanguard and Crown at the same time. It's very difficult to win today. Everything has to be just right from a design perspective so that you are in a position to win by executing well. If the design isn't there, you simply have no chance to win.

2007 Regiment is my favorite Regiment show of all time (yes I like it better than '89, '96 and '08) and it was hands down my favorite show of '07. I agree with you that it was just magnificent, but I also agree with it finishing 4th. BD, Cadets and Cavies, were all IMO, better and their shows were excellent designs as well, even though I didn't like their shows nearly as much as Regiment or Vanguard. Vanguard's show was amazing too and is so underrated. I loved the entire top 5 that year. They were all so good. '07 is one of my favorite years.

I do think the defending champion or top corps get the benefit of the doubt at the start of the season, but '09 Regiment also suffered from constant changes, throughout the whole season, which impacted their scores and thus was a factor in that gap closing and ultimately Boston and Blue Stars beating them at finals. Regiment's show was so problematic from the get go and despite all the changes it really didn't get any better. In my opinion - there's no doubt that Regiment corps was more talented than that Boston and Blue Stars corps. Another example of how design can be the sole factor that elevates or sinks you. I'll also use this example to thwart the argument that Vanguard beat Blue Stars in 2010 solely based on Vanguard's history and reputation. Being that the judges put the defending champion in 9th (behind Blue Stars) the year before, discredits the theory that there was some malice behind not putting them in 7th in 2010.

'88 Madison wasn't the only exception. It entirely disproved this "competitive inertia" theory.

Well, I would disagree here. I think Vanguard had a much more complex, interesting and demanding show compared to Blue Stars in 2010. Blue Stars are one of my favorite corps, but I agree with what the judges did in 2010. Vanguard's design was superior in every way.