steeldrum Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Just back from the show and some quick random comments: Spent the first half in the lots. Lot observations: - Stood in front of Blue Knights horn arc, very nice sound, love the music. - Blue Knight drumline plays very clean, not the hardest music but certainly fits the music well. - Phantom got new trucks and new buses this year....the year AFTER my daughter left. :( - Madison has the smallest pit I've seen, 2 marimbas, 1 xylo, 3 vibes, timps and 2 synths if I counted correctly. Guess that's how the allocate for all of those tubas - Madison horns take a looooong time to warm up. - Monster truck passing out free Monster drinks were a hit with the kids in the hot lots Made it into the stands to see just a few corps. Sitting on about the 10 yards lines as I got in late: - Great crowd, packed stands, very into the shows. - Blue Knights. Again, really like the music. Not getting much impact from the horns but probably due to poor seat selection. - Madison. Closer is emotional and really gets the crowd. The neat thing about sitting at the end of the field and close is you really notice the individuals on the field. You can hear them and see their facial expressions. I really liked this show. When the guard picks up the drums and starts playing are they judged by the percussion judge.......I hope not! - Boston. First time seeing Boston and I like this show much better than what I saw on FN. Don't like the fish net thing but other than that very enjoyable. I actually thought they projected volume better than Madison from these bad seats. Saw an open seat on the 50 in the handicap area, about 15 rows up, so I jumped in it before Phantom came on...... BIG MISTAKE. OMG my face hurts. That hornline and the show is incredible. Its come so far since Saginaw. The guard is well placed and the music is classic. The drums didn't make much of a statement and seemed to be kept back field much of the show, but maybe its just that the hornline is so dominating in this show. I must say I don't really like the theatrics and facial expressions of the pit this year, very distracting. I preferred the classic style of former years. Then Crown comes on and takes the hornline sound up one more notch. I can't take it, now my head hurts. This is a GREAT seat!! The senior lady in the wheel chair next to me almost gets up and starts dancing with Crown!! She's rocking back and forth, clapping her hand, and screaming out like it was Elvis Presley out there. Crown is milking this receptive crowd like Rach Stars. And I should add OMG, as in "Oh My Guard"......Hot guard of the year! And they're very good, too (coming from a drummer....). Unfortunately had to leave after Crown but heard Blue Devils echoing through the stands as I walked to the parking lot. Can't wait for San Antonio..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YogiBear Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 how do you go from tied in music prf with cavaliers one night to more than half a point behind the next night? #lolwut i believe that was a big "whoops" on the judges part. This seems a little more accurate still surprised about seeing that gap between crown and devils opening and closing. I guess slotting isn't an issue this season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liahona Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Scores all over are a lot more fluid this year... maybe the reins are off the judges a bit. Gmen\Spirit\Troopers seems to go a different way every single show. Now scouts below BK, boston above both? Makes comparing spreads even hard to do. Guess we can't call it slotting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoCervantes II Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Wow, MadMen down 1.2 in GE Music, .2 in Vis Perf, .6 in Vis Ens, 1.0 in Colorguard, 1.5 in Mus. Ens., and .6 in Percussion! Talk about an off night! Or rather "On any given night..."! No Hate, no questioning, just observations and WOWs. So, I was just thinking . . . what if part of the new DCI entertainment mandate thing includes more of a WWF style of entertainment. Think about it, Corps A takes a fall one night, only to power back the next! Ok, now I know I have gone off the deep end. Nevermind. It was interesting to think about for about 5 seconds though, perhaps you will enjoy it as well : ). G'night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobrien Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Honestly I don't even remember noticing the battery when I saw them live. Because they're staged upfield for most of the show, kept out of sight like the crazy aunt in the closet. Unfortunate, since the kids can play. HOWEVER...the story of the night to me is BD in 4th in Visual GE. Hot Dayum - someone willing to acknowledge that BD's visual approach isn't all that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRASSO Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 BAC 4th in drums beating Phantom...GO Ellis Hampton! Ellis Hampton has done an amazing job with Boston's Percussion... especially with all the new marchers. Good note for the Troopers as well, toping Spirit of Atlanta. Also, Blue Devils as well.. can't forget them closing the spread either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastknight Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 So, I was just thinking . . . what if part of the new DCI entertainment mandate thing includes more of a WWF style of entertainment. Think about it, Corps A takes a fall one night, only to power back the next! Ok, now I know I have gone off the deep end. Nevermind. It was interesting to think about for about 5 seconds though, perhaps you will enjoy it as well : ). G'night! Crusaders battle back from a day of adversity....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywhopper Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 DOWN WITH SLOTTING!! Wild and crazy scores! I'm loving it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadMadMan Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 DOWN WITH SLOTTING!! Wild and crazy scores! I'm loving it! Guess we're gonna have to get used to seeing it. A 2 and a half point drop is BIG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastknight Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 458 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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