Unpopular opinion incoming: every single corps on the field performed their hearts out and deserved recognition, no matter how they placed. I enjoyed and loved BD and coats, I couldn't pick a favorite if I had to. At the end of the day, yes this is a competition and there are scores. But everyone likes different kinds of shows, and everyone should respect the opinions of others. Doesn't matter what the actual judges said, the most important judge is your own mind. Don't bash other people for preferring a different show.
@BenaBean053 you'd be surprised how many people are out there onyl caring about scores and placements and not just sitting back and enjoying the shows.
As someone who marched, it depresses me that this is an unpopular opinion. At the end of the day, none of us care about the scores. I mean, yeah, it is a fun incentive, but we all know we dealt with long rehearsals, stressful EPLs, and very few hours of sleep on some nights. We’re not gonna let some silly number get in the way of congratulating each other and saying “we all worked hard.” I just wish fans would do the same.
SHOW SYNOPSIS Blue Devil's GHOSTLIGHT brings back the famous characters of the theatre to ask the question, 'Has drum corps become theatre, broaching the big questions about life?" By the end we see the ghost of a Greek tragic hero Oedipus walk toward the light, and leave a trail of blood. Like us, his quest for the truth has nearly killed him. (And if you've ever slept on a gym floor, you know what I'm talking about.). Ironically, in the play, Oedipus seeks to rid his country of a plague that is besieging it, and goes on a quest to find the truth and undo the plague, but he discovers something much worse about himself-- he has killed his own estranged father and inadvertently married his mother. Ironically, a viral plague overtook the world in late 2019, the year of this production. SCENE BY SCENE At the entre act, we see the chorus of the ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles implore the gods to reveal what our fate is 1:21 as we start this new day, (similar to designers starting their show designs too late in March, and praying to the gods for help.) Oedipus Rex, Act I, sc. 1 CHORUS Zeus, wherefore the voice of Zeus, what do you bring? Racked with terror terror shakes my heart Apollo Healer of Delos I worship you in dread... What now, what is your price? some new sacrifice? Some ancient rite from the past come round again each Spring? Hamlet, William Shakespeare HAMLET In that sleep of death, what dreams may come? Ghosts flood through the stage doors 1:00 onto the playing space, almost mocking our travails in the physical world. Hamlet 3:09 talks to the decomposed skull of his jester friend Yorick, and contemplates the joys of life devolving into nothingness. 3:36 Hamlet Act III scene i, Shakespeare HAMLET: To be or not to be, that is the question. Visiting ghosts from the afterlife mock our hubris-- why is it important for us to be entertainers? What is the point of the uniforms and the equipment trucks and marching drills? 4:32 Brittany Spears sings There's only two kinds of people in this world Ones that entertain and the ones that observe. Brittany's lyrics mock our need to perform for the attention, rather than the substance of the thematic argument underneath what we're singing. 7:55 Star crossed lovers in great stories stare into one another's eyes. 8:00 Perhaps the Greek amphitheater becomes a clock face that races ahead, exposing our vices and follies. 9:47 Bodiless tap dancers grace the stage, performing impossible "feats" of music , entertaining us as we observe, and then they too disappear under a trap door, leaving nothing. Is musical theater meaningless pomp? Or is there meaning underneath? Oedipus, leaving a trail of blood, a prop which the actor grandiosely unfurls and adjusts before he walks toward the light of truth. 11:01 Shakespeare's As You Like It JAQUES: All the world's a stage. And the men and women players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts. Drum corps is theatre, playing music of substance, conveying observations about life and the way we live it, or the way we imagine living it. It's not just music and marching without meaning anymore. The activity is beginning to ask the important questions. And those thematic arguments are the only thing that separates drum corps from cheerleading, and separates drum corps from band camp, and separates drum corps from strippers and a three piece jazz combo at Jumbo's clown room. Meaning.
The hornline degree of difficulty to march toe down in halftime at a 16/5 then come to a halt and stand still and continue to play at one dynamic level is unparalleled in this opener. Gets you excited right from the start.
Drake got the Chops ghost light is the ONE light they leave on in Broadway theaters so that the light never goes out. Creepy idea. But also really cool.
Oni Slays it has to do with an old myth that after theaters are closed, a single light is on (This light is called a Ghostlight). It’s supposed to keep the theater light while people are gone, but it evolved to where people think it brings ghosts to theater, where the ghosts perform their own plays and shows. The show goes through different types of theater. There’s a really neat video explaining the design.
Man I sooooo cannot wait to attend my first experience watching the DCI World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium this August!!!!!! EDIT: Damn...... Edit 2: shooting to go in 2024! Fingers crossed no virus hits us again.
I knew as soon as they finished that they had won! Was suprised that it wasn't by a larger margin, they were that good! Excellent Concord Blue Devils...cnannot wait till next year!!!
For me this year it took a lot longer to really start getting into the shows, and for me, it kinda took until semis. Finals was absolutely amazing for BD.
@@nickniehaus1763 Also take into consideration that this is the first year the corps is playing on system blue since they finally manufacture their own horns, instead of using kings.
From 7:00 to 8:45 it’s so peaceful and it is great contrast from the other parts of the show that are loud and I love it so much that it’s my favorite part of the show
This year really took a while to grow on me. Initially there weren’t any shows that I really gravitated towards like i usually do. Last year it was scv and crown, 2017 devils and scv, 2016 crown and coats. At first I didn’t really find those shows that emotionally attach to me, but eventually I came around. The coats and devils this year were so solid and both deserved to be so close in scores. Visually, this show is spectacular. Musically, the coats show is spectacular. Both are incredible.
This show absolutely blew me away in finals. I was right up front on the 45 and it was mesmerizing. Definitely a well-deserved win. It could have went to them or Bloo. So I was happy either way!
I didn't time it, but I would be shocked if there was even 5 minutes of actual ensemble playing time in this show. Breaks my heart that DCI has become more of a visual broadway-like production instead of marching and playing difficult music while performing difficult drill with the emphasis being the musicianship. Having said that, the Blue Devils have been very consistent in their level of performance throughout their history. Not my favorite corps, but I do give them props for their longevity of high quality performances. This show had a LOT going on visually. The use of the props was ingeniously incorporated into the show. Very well orchestrated and a cool show to watch for entertainment. Again, I personally like to see and hear more playing while marching and performing difficult maneuvers myself.
Man, I can't believe this was over a year ago. I still remember watching the Awards Ceremony and witnessing the resulting anger amongst the DCI community like it was yesterday.
This show is such a beautiful piece of art. I was there for this too and it was even better live! I almost didn't go for 2019 and thought "Oh I can always go next year in 2020" and decided to just say fuck it and go that year.. right before the shit hit the fan.. I'd say it means more to me for that. I literally cry every single time I watch this performance. Their excellence in marching, music, and art really nailed their victory imo. I remember a lot of great performances that day and it was a wonderful night. But they were just the obvious winner.
@@harrys2331 I mean art is cool, I love shows like this, BAC '14, Babylon, Star '93 and such. But at the end of the day it's about who marches and plays the best. I would say the Bluecoats have a better musical and Devil's gave a better visual. I would agree overall with them winning, their visual was better relative to Bloo than Bloo's music was relative to Devils. Well deserved win and cool show but no need to shit on one of the top 5 shows of this decade.
I wish I could march even 1/10 as good as them . I'm in my first year of marching in high school and had to miss 2 competitions due to covid. My school is still putting everybody else in there place though😁
I remember the trauma of being a first time drum major and having to conduct this at an academy for drum majors lol. It was very fun though, the Blue Devils are amazing
Because they weren't that loud in comparison to some other corps. Hoping with their new caption head they can get back on that train, because this could've matched Babylon in scoring with a better brass section.
I’d disagree on this one, I don’t think there is a member in the top twelve that didn’t want it just as bad as every other member. These kids put their heart and soul into these groups all summer, I don’t doubt for a second every single one of them wanted it!
I'm right there with you. Not a BD fan, but was trying to be objective and watched this show again on here...I was at World Championships.. anyway....staying awake watching this on RU-vid was a challenge.
@@markbrown1324 Couldn't agree more. Babylon stuns me every time I watch, and the last two bluecoats shows have been fantastic, but I'm not feeling the Violin here. That might be what ruins the experience for me, along side just not feeling the music.
Windows Media Player I highly disagree. That's so subjective and the actual proficiency of each corps would no longer matter. The best show design team shouldn't win, the best performing corps should.
Nick Niehaus Totally agree with Nick. GE used to be 30% of the score, now it’s 40% and WMP wants it HIGHER? It should go back to 30% and put the emphasis on the performer, not the design team. Drum Corps should be about marching and music, not design. I mean, it’s in their trademark - Marching Music’s Major League.
Love the blue devils, an amazing corp but unpopular opinion this show was good seperately in their own respective parts but all together as a show was kind of a mess
Yeah I personally like brass blowing your face off while the line thumps your chest and the pit ties it in. There's no need for EDM. But that's usually unpopular now days.
The biggest concern with DCI is the growth of artificial sounds and effects. The more I see keyboards back there the more I wonder what is real. Pretty soon you'll see 10 keyboards and the horns will be fighting to be heard over the noise.
I'm pretty sure that if that ever becomes a concern, rules will be put into place to prevent it. Either way, with only synths, you would lose all of your points on visual.
I find myself in a weird spot. I do think that they don't march and play nearly enough and that they overdo it with dancing. I would say this barely counts as a Drum Corps. But really I could say the same about Bloo and Vanguard. Crown wasn't quite as bad but I have my problems with their drill design too. I would say that this show deserved it's win. However having seen both Bloo and Devils in person and on screen, I much prefer the Bluecoats' show. Simply put, it will age better. I think the Devils were trying to push the limits, and I appreciate it. However the show is really pretentious and self-assured, and this is kind of the point where people will in the future say that DCI went a bit too far trying to push the boundaries.
This show deserved the win hands down. The individual visual on this show is on another level. That being said I believe Ghostlight is the safest show Blue Devils have done since DCI went to Lucas Oil in terms of design. I don’t think it’s the worst show they’ve made but it’s definitely the most by the books.
Obviously judges agreed. To me it's one big mess. If it tells a story, it's very unclear and all over the place. The only thing that hits me is the low brass in the Ballad, the rest is just..meh.
Rafael Rivera Metamorph was a combination of all there show in one. It was kind of a big hit for everyone! Because all the fans ,and previous players got to hear some old pieces of their show. But they kept more of a like high school type of thing, if you get me where they kinda completely change the show each movement. But it was a great show!
I've been away from dci for a long while. And, while I can appreciate the work these young people put into their shows I'm a little surprised with the recorded tracks, props and (gasps) miked soloist. In fact, the whole thing sounded like it was coming through the PA system. Personally, I feel like the tracks demean the work the horns put in to create that magical sound of the "bells to the box" thunder of a strong Corps.
@Micah Lall-Trail I recall the controversy of going from one piston and one rotary valve to two piston valves. Recorded vocals seem a little sacrilegious to an old-timer that remembers all male Corps.
Did you see this show live or are you just judging from this phone recording? They certainly sprinkle in lots of sound effects but the soundscape and storytelling enabled by sampling is only enhancing the performance and allowing for nuance to come across to the audience better. If you see this show live you'll have no doubt that the raw, ferocious, unmatched brass power that DCI is known for hasn't gone anywhere. Oh and the mic'd soloists? They do that because the whole corps is so much louder and we want the soloists to stick out over the top. Trust me these brass ensembles are magical and loud as ****. If you can't hear them then it might just be your tinnitus
@@allenrussell1947 How long has it been? The activity has changed a lot, especially in the last 10 years. Gone are the days of drill based shows and uniforms. It is more staging, props , and "costumes" now. Think of it more as a production than a field show.
@@MikeReppucci a very long time indeed. I followed DCI in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Then life happened and I drifted away. I don't get the need for props and recorded music though. The horn lines blow the guys from my era away. It's literally astounding what I'm hearing now.
I really tried to enjoy this show at semi finals, in theaters but I sincerely couldn't. I just think it was too bland. My friend, an all time BD fan said that he didn't enjoy it either. With all that said, I liked the ballad, for the 45 seconds it was
That’s the thing about the arranger I think. My high school has the same arranger for our marching shows and it’s a good arrangement, but they don’t seem strong emotional impacts that some other shows do. I can’t really put my finger on why, but something just always feels slightly missing.
That was a meh show from the Blue Devils. Even the audience response was tepid. Usually they’re up more than a minute before the end but not this year.
Elizabeth_ yeah i don't think so. usually instruments like flutes and clarinets and saxes make brass instruments out of tune. also, woodwinds are usually better in concert pieces, it wouldnt be a drum corps is there were woodwinds. i see where youre coming from, i play flute and it's sometimes dissatisfying when there isn't a clean clarinet run or something that could have been easily incorporated into the show
its not that your opinion is triggering band nerds, its that you are factually wrong. This is drum corps, which by definition, only includes brass, drums, and colorgaurd.
Since the days of the 27th Lancers, DCI would have been better served by a rule saying when the score is close between the Blue Devils and another corp, the tie goes to the other corp. And a judging category called marching is needed. The music quality between the Coats and the Devil's was a tie. Both used props well, but a slight edge goes to the Devil's. Any idea that the Coats' visual score wasn't ten points better -- with half the Devils either not visible or being shuffled out of the way most of the time -- insanity itself. Congratulations to the kids. They really gave their all. The judges need to do some serious rethinking, though, for the good of the organization.
Brian Hale the Bluecoats leg shape looks atrocious compared to BD tho, don't ever knock the visual program of BD. They are the best at it every year and no one is close to taking that from them.
That is not real Drum Corp. That’s horrible with voices, dancing, singing and electronic effects. DCI is a long way off when it’s was best in the 80’s and 90’s. Use to be about the marching and music.
Until marching got so old and tired that audiences were ready to jump off the top of Mile High Stadium. There's only so much you can do with marching. It's like Irish dancing. You can watch it a couple of times around St. Patrick's day, but any more than that and it's just tiresome and repetitive.
its still about marching and music, but also ENTERTAINING the audience. A show shouldnt only be enjoyable to the old critics who love their perfect musical standing in one place moments, it should be appealing to everyone. This is real drum crops, drum corps ha changed since your time, deal with it instead of showing your blatant immaturity.
@@jesuspectre9883 i disagree so hard its not even funny. was frameworks boring to people? how about phenomenon of cool? Spartacus? scv 2018 had the perfect balance, with props and good drill design. and with michael gaines as drill writer its no wonder. imo, it just doesn't command the same level of attention from the audience, reducing shows to big ol brass hits and wild dancing escapades. somehow progressing and regressing at the same time. dont even get me started on the pointless guitar player in the pit. how about incorporating some prog music from the 70s at this point, the repertoire of dci music could use a much needed shakeup
@@TheSynergy40 Wait, what did I say? I agree with you. All I'm saying is marching got tired starting around the 80's. Formal marching is only one device, and if overused, it becomes an overbearing spice. Eleven minutes of military bearing without any variance can be unbearable. Balance is the key. I notice the Blue Devils have a good balance of marching and other movement in their recent shows. In most recent drum corps shows, the off the shelf contemporary dance that the high schools are teaching is fucking unbearable. Running, and running, scatter drill after scatter drill, off the shelf choreography like "falls and recovers" and "layouts" in quick repetition look meaningless and insane. Contemporary dance is killing drum corps.
Just stumbled across this, what a load of rubbish drum corps have become. I've not seen a show in 20 years - and whilst I appreciate the technical excellence of some of the show, there's an awful lot of just poncing about to pre-recorded music?
Haven't seen a show in 20 years??? Then stop judging ALL of drum corps off 1 show... For 2019 watch Boston's Goliath or The Bluecoats... Santa Clara Vanguard too
20 years is a long time. Things change and evolve. The members now love what they are doing and are really into it. It's still a great activity with some really great productions.
