What do you guys think about the Bluecoats' 2022 production Riffs & Revelations? Was it your favorite show of 2022? Leave your thoughts in the comments! Instagram: funlinerproductions
One thing I wanted to add from a Bluecoats member side is that there were many moments in the season that were demoralizing, but we always kept on pushing. The first instance was in Kent (when we first met Crown). It was our home show, and we were still on the field when they announced Crown ahead of us. In Murfreesboro, the morale was at an all time high before getting shattered the next day in Atlanta. Even going into Championship weekend, Derek Gipson pulled brass and told us that were we shooting for a medal, and that if we were to do so, it would probably have to come from a brass achievement standpoint. Leading up to Prelims, we had a string of really great rehearsal days, and I think that's what solidified us.
@@paulblichmann2791 the way we use amplification is we pick people in the hornline who sound the best on their given part, (usually about 2 per split in each section) and they are turned on to go thru the speakers during select parts of a show to control ensemble balance. I don’t know 100% what happened this run but it sounds like one of the lead trumpets (especially in the opener) got turned up way too high (or might have been on when it wasn’t supposed to be) and it sounded like someone overplaying. (And obviously flo mics our speakers which made it worse probably)
The cars are representative of the Cadillac's along Route 66 in the desert. Love to see you guys review the alumni corps, or tell us what you thought. Love being a Bluecoat even though it was many, many, many years ago. Thank you guys for your insightful videos and love that you guys show all corps the love of being DCI. Keep these videos coming.
Damn I have seen you on seemingly every Bluecoat video on youtube, I hope you had an amazing time with the Alumni corps. Yall were easily one of the best performances this year
At the end of the ballad when the mello’s held the sustained note after the big chord, we did play at fff and then drop down to mf when everyone cut off
I remember listening to all of the source music the day of the Premier show. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed all of it, and how well all of the music works together. I think this show takes the cake for my absolute favorite source material of any show. I like the uniforms. I agree that at a distance they look a lot better than up close, but man those ending "pissleg" uniforms I love even more. The tie-in they have with the story, and the fact they're basically a 180 of the regular uniforms (minimalistic with only 2 colors). I love them. I was really surprised at how warm and full of a sound the Keytar had when I got to see this show live. It always sounds shallow and overbearing on video but in person it blended with the hornline so well, it was truly amazing. I think i had my jaw dropped for that entire section in person. I think it's fine to not like the voiceover, there is a lot of talking during this show and I understand why it can be really distracting. Personally, I really enjoy it because of the Source music. The way they designed this entire show on that first line, "I had this trippy dream..." I feel like the final version of this show does an incredible job at storytelling. And the way they use "Momento Magico" as the climax of the trippy dream, with the Keytar feature. Then moving in the "Revelations" side of the show. I also agree that their ballad is too short to be truly memorable. I really really like the ballad a lot, but it does seem like they used it as a transitional moment, rather than its own significant moment. But hey, gotta cut some corners when it comes to getting all of the ambitions on the field lol. Great reaction from you guys. Long comment from me because this is my favorite show of the season, but I love hearing your guys' observations and opinions especially given your backgrounds in DCI. Can't wait to see what's next!
It was definitely my favorite show of the season. When I first saw them come out in those uniforms in Atlanta, I was skeptical - but I quickly fell in love with the music and the overall feel of the show. Great storytelling and overall visuals, and the vibe is just really joyful and fun. Can’t wait to see where they continue to go.
Guys we can’t put a disclaimer over everything we say and we can’t talk over the entire show. I was speaking purely from a ensemble momentum standpoint. The Bluecoats are the best at building momentum and intensity from moment to moment. In my experience marching with them, they are incredibly calculated with that stuff. Generating emotion is their strength. I just felt like the moment felt like 5-10 seconds too long. Like because the costume change was happening they couldn’t afford to make it shorter. Obviously the front ensemble was incredible and so was the guard. Just pointing out that the momentum was dipping a little going into the closer. Gotta look at things from other perspectives sometimes.
@@malikneille except the thing about that moment being the length it was, is that it had nothing to do with the costume change. Tom Rarick talked on a podcast about how that section was supposed to be the opening of the 2020 show, and it was written way before the concept of Riffs and Revelations was even introduced, let alone the costume change idea. Also, if you listen to the writing during that moment, it does build momentum, from a dynamic standpoint, a density standpoint, and a keyboard coverage standpoint, all things that people with advanced percussion sensibilities are going to pick up on. Gotta look at things from other perspectives sometimes :)
My favorite show of the season. Truly was rooting for Boston, but I wondered if they were going to pass them on finals night. It’s just a gorgeous, thought-provoking show. I love who they have become.
This show went from my least favorite at the beginning of the season to my favorite by the end. I can't put into words why exactly, but I'm a big fan. Can't wait to see what they can put on the field next year.
The ballad thing makes a lot of sense, because this is a good ballad but they made the second movement so very memorable. no matter how great the last movement ballad was, you’re still thinking. MAN that keytar. because of its uniqueness
Respectfully, I feel like you need someone associated with guard on your reaction team because I didn't see much reaction to the guard aspect of the show :/
Saw the show live at DCI Annapolis. Sitting on the side one 30ish, and was disapointed that during the impact at 12:03 I heard more hornline sound from the speaker than the actual hornline. The side to side distance from them to the speaker made it really noticable too. Edit: typo Edit: I know many corps use amplification, I marched Jersey Surf in 2019 and we needed some extra help in the lower voices with how small and unbalanced that hornline was. But, if you have a hornline filled with some of the best performers in the world and more sound is coming from the speakers, something seems off. No dislike or hatred is directed at the members. Everyone works hard in this activity and deserves respect.
Low-end synth has been ridiculous in DCI for many years now. I miss the true sound of contras and euphoniums at impact points when the sound operator dials up the goo. BD, Madison, Cadets have had numerous years where it was overwhelming.
If you’re on the side 1 30 I’m not surprised considering you’re 1. Right in front of a speaker and 2. The entire hornline aside from me and maybe 2 other tubas are entirely on side 2 around the 40.
I think it’s hypocritical for them to nail the coats over lots of narration when the blue devils consistently struggle to get the point of their shows across to audiences without the use of narration. 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022 use lots of narration and three of those shows won. They are good shows but without duration people would have no idea what the shows are about. Heck even with narration it’s hard to understand what’s going on
Ok, wasn't gonna comment it again at first, but cause it is now the Bluecoats vid... Crossing my fingers for the alumni performance! Soon, even considering one of you are alumni and some of your show music is even featured? For the nostalgia guys!
I’m not a fan of all the amplification and use of electronics but Bluecoats definitely killed it with this production. I marched back in the 90’s when was literally just brass, percussion and color guard.
Even in the 90’s, despite the bitter physical rivalry between the Bluecoats and my Corp I marched with, Bluecoats was at that level in 90’s, but it was insanely political back then. If you were not a top 6 Corp director favorite, highest you ever got if you made finals was 7th. Much of that corruption was because of George Hopkins who was the director of the Cadets back then.
Are you all going to be doing a reaction to SCV? I’m curious to see your thoughts on what could have been better and why their percussion fell off in finals
I really loved the ambition and style of this show, I really wish they could have won but I never took time to step back and give it a more analytical listen, which this video gave me an opportunity to do so. Although not the best executed show, this is one of the few shows that gives me goosebumps countless times throughout. Also, am I the only one who gets “fear and loathing in Las Vegas” vibes from this show?
3:12 it's very much so the mics. I was sitting in the first section in front of the 25 on the left side, the mics do not give any justice to any of the corps' cleanliness. I think its the mixing of both mics on both sides, the far mic is picking up the slightest delay I believe.
I actually don't think it's a hero trumpet that is playing. I noticed live during finals that it sounded like 1 of the trumpets was mic'd the entire show, not sure if it was by accident or not, but it definitely stuck out to me live as well.
Was definitely an accident, happens sometimes unfortunately. looking back I think it was accidentally on for most of the show considering we turn the mics on/off a lot.
Was definitely an accident, happens sometimes unfortunately. looking back I think it was accidentally on for most of the show considering we turn the mics on/off a lot.
I wasn’t a fan of this show at the beginning either but I did like it very much towards the end of the season. I still couldn’t get on board with the keytar. And this is coming from someone who plays keyboards for a living. Unlike Everett, I didn’t particularly like the choice of lead sound. I also usually don’t mind narration. But I do find it annoying when narration is happening over some intense moments where it just starts to become too busy from a consumption standpoint.
I'm just echoing everyone else when I say this show really grew on me to be my second favorite of the season. I only wish Crown had improved this much! I will also be very happy if narration falls out of vogue; it's just not for me.
Wasn't my favorite Bluecoats show, but well done nonetheless. I'm still puzzled as to who is the mustached man with the hat prop and the revelance to the show.
i wonder why that is. it just makes it sound a bit dirty/unintentional imo and i'm not doubting you, i've seen them hold the note in other performances. i just find it weird from a design standpoint
at the 12:04 mark, I really think that bass guitar line in the front ensemble would have been great for the tubas to play at that moment instead of just sustaining the chords
I liked Bluecoats show, but I did not go crazy for it like a lot of people. I hated the uniforms, but I can appreciate what they were going for. I liked Boston better than Coats. I think Bluecoats would have benefited from less narration and less or no keytar. On the other hand I have to admit they know how to excite the crowd, and that is always nice. I always feel a bit bad for SCV and BD because Finals crowds are always full of more people from the east and mid west than the western part of the US. It is just a much farther trip for us here in CA. I go to Finals every couple years, but to go every year is just too much money to spend. I loved when Finals were in Pasadena, CA. I was there and got to witness BD finally getting to have a home crowd going crazy during, and after their show, as well as when they were announced in first place during retreat. I wish they could bring Finals out west every 5 years or so, but with the deal DCI has with Indy that will not happen anytime soon!
Ok so I’m fine with the mics and all that stuff but why does any horn line but especially the bluecoats need to have sooooo much synthesizer to the point where the horn line doesn’t sound like much at all. They’re all some of the most talented musicians in the world and are more then capable of putting out the sound to match the excitement. Let them do it!!
Funliner reacts: AKA: Blue Devils honks trash other shows that aren't BD. The first thing you had to say was something about a trumpet sticking out. Seriously? And "that didn't sound good"? Really? Well, they beat your precious Blue Devils so I guess they sounded alright to the judges. This show should have won. WAY better than BD's boring, pretentious show. This is, of course, just my opinion. Let's hope that more corps have good shows next year. The only great shows this year were Phantom and Bluecoats.
We’ve never thought that, bud. We cant keep getting so offended by stating the fact that there are hairs that maybe out of place. Every corps has them including BD and we’re just reacting to them. It is purely how I view shows. The effect for me is in the achievement. I’m not trashing anyone, just sharing how I watch shows. You honestly don’t need to watch if the little errors we catch heats you up so much. If you watch the whole vid, we also give the corps their much deserved flowers. No one pays attention to the positive anymore.
I love these videos, but man you need to remove the midroll ads. They completely ruin the vibe of your commentary and the music. I don't want to go from DCI to watching crappy mobile game ad with no warning. I will stop watching these videos
Remember, your job is not to tell us whether you like something, but rather to fully understand the designer’s intention with each element. The uniforms for example are an optical illusion, similar to that of a hallucination.
@@funlinerproductions7071 It's great to have support from such bright, open-minded fans whose comments go beyond, "how clean their feet are" and "how tight the drum line is." And my favorite "I really liked it."
On the upside: there are a few nice harmonic moments (complex, moving changes) in the show which represent what I'd love to see more of, and they're spirited performers. Otherwise: I think overall this show represents the worst possible direction for the activity to go: shows based on gimmicks. Take out the (pointless) props and dialog passages and there's no story. It's almost erratic, the music. And I can appreciate erratic, but then just take out the distractions that add nothing to the show and simply do a show! And to early points made in the commentary, from the POV of someone who was there (section 141, row 15), the drumline was indeed cleaner than was portrayed in this video. They were definitely clean. That said, the writing was also tepid and most certainly not deserving of the win. BD or Boston were robbed.
The narrative was the show so, sure, if you take it out, there is no story. FWIW, I thought Crown was nothing but gimmicks. I could never figure out how the props had anything to do with the theme. At least Bluecoats' props were unquestionably part of the story (once you figured out what they were.) Perhaps listen to Taming the Dragon so you know the story, then watch this show again. Of course that shouldn't be necessary, but, hey, I had to Google how some of Boston's imagery fit with the story. We can't all know everything.
