FUNLINER REACTS | A First Look at the 2023 Bluecoats

What do you guys think of the Garden of Love? Pretty interesting stuff. Leave your thoughts in the comments. We read them all!
Again, thank you to FloMarching for your support and if you haven’t already, subscribe to FloMarching to watch these shows in full and much more throughout the 2023 DCI season!

[@kicked.c4211]

I’m a freshman in a highschool marching band, you guys are actually helpful in what people are paying attention to in a show.

[@owencouchman5746]

You can also look at DCI score sheets that goes more in depth

[@michelmasse6225]

I’m an old drum corps timer and have been following DCI since it’s creation in 1971😮. It’s evolving into a great show. I do recommend the years 1999-2000 as well as 2008. The Phantom, Devils, Crown, Bluecoats, Cavaliers and my all time favorite…the Vanguard. So many great performances and many more to come. Congrats to all the hard working young performers and their coaches and trainers.

[@Scrubeez]

I marched three corps from 2003-2010, and ended my career at Bluecoats from 2008-2010. It's honestly been cool to see how much The Boxer has become a staple in the corps repertoire, as well as a beloved moment in DCI

[@Wolverine699]

I appreciate the fact that you're old school, but not bashing innovation.

[@jordenpeterkin7322]

This show has a lot of really amazing mello parts imo The movement with the trombone feature sounds like it has some timing issues which is probably true to an extent but the source music they used also naturally sounds slightly off so it will be very interesting to see how they show off those really rhythmically difficult sections later on.

[@organboi]

The "Bump" segment has reached absolutely sublime dimensions now. Today at their hometown, as well as Allentown, it was shockingly great. The arrangers and designers knew exactly what they were after, and it succeeds phenomenally well. Best moment of 2023 imo.

[@c.mosher]

Appreciate the kind words💙

[@jameshartzog1256]

you and everyone at bluecoats this year are producing a magical production this year. You were my show of the night at mason ohio. Keep it up and good luck going into the southwestern championship tonight!

[@qawler1840]

Man Flo's mics did them dirty. They are so loud in person, especially that trombone feature

[@jeremymelton8161]

I think it’s called “compression” and is very normal

[@alanhester7649]

9:28 Yo Alan here, I goofed! Jackson University Band is from Jackson, Mississippi, not Florida. They Rock.

[@sportscommentaryplus4445]

You can make it up by releasing the 2017 GoPro footage. All I’ve ever wanted for the last 6 years

[@marwansaidi4078]

But the FAMU Marching 100 ARE from Florida, and they are the bomb. :)

[@Nigelrathbone1]

Problems like glare on the tarps are due to the low angle reflection of small light posts. That issue will not affect visual in Indianapolis.

[@adambourque77]

I get relating the Low Brass feature to HBCUs of the South.. because they are intentionally distorting the tone (blasting) with control, which is a staple of HBCUs. But honestly.. It still doesnt come close to the epic sound of HBCUs. Y'all go show the HBCU bands some love! Still love this section from the Bluecoats though. Different sound to DCI, but still some how feels right up Bluecoats playing field.

[@viniboithicc7800]

A super interesting show thematically. Love the use of texture in front ensemble and battery that bloo always does so tastefully. A very interesting brass book (very interested to see how the hornline cleans up). That ballad has SOO much potential when they lock in intonation and pacing. Definitely like the choreography a lot more than last years "car" choreography. Overall, strange in a good way.

[@willhutton1516]

I was there at this show. I definitely can say they had some timing issues, but it’s the first comp of the season, what do you expect? Perfection? No. Considering they were only 3 tenths behind crown makes me super amped to see how they improve this show!

[@WeMissDimebag]

Biggest question of the season is if Bloo can ever catch up to BD. Think they clearly have the best chance to do it but don’t know if they can.

[@anthonygolicz2154]

Right now the scores are super uneven, but once the southwest championships happen the scores will even out, that’s what I’m looking forward to

[@giomckenzie7]

I remember being in a lot with them one time and as I was walking by them to go perform they started meowing at us and were wondering where our uniforms were, cause at that time, not everyone ha their uniforms shipped and it would've been scorching with them on. I believe it was crown beat when that happened. one of my weirdest interactions with bloo

[@markofgodtx6]

I live in Alliance where the Bluecoats had their pre-season base at the University of Mount Union. I got to attend a lot of their rehearsals and saw the premiere of their show. They are amazing to watch live. From the first day, they have been improving and evolving the show. It just keeps getting better and better. I think by the time they get to the end of the season they will really blow everyone away.

[@sawyersmith4999]

I really enjoy this show. Granted, I enjoy all the shows that I’ve seen so far, but I think this is super cool in how it feels like a mix of Bluecoats 2019 and 2022 with callbacks to all sorts of earlier shows. I’m excited to see what they’ll do with this show as the season progresses.

[@Nigelrathbone1]

Love the spirit in which you guys analyse and critique with a positive constructivity. Your play by play illuminates very sophisticated visual and musical concepts in show design and performance which allows people to more fully appreciate this Sport of the Arts phenomenon called Drum & Bugle Corps.

[@calebwmsgolf]

This is my favorite Coats show since Downside Up

[@dowtech2952]

Ah man, i wish you guys listened to their ballad. I think it's going to be magical come finals.

[@jordantyler148]

Yeah why did they skip it?

[@RatSlayerGaming]

@@jordantyler148 they don't like to react to the full show until the season is over. They've stated it in other reaction vids. Nothing against any of the corps

[@jordantyler148]

@@RatSlayerGaming yeah, i went and watched all their other 2023 ones after this and found out.

[@animeprincess98]

everyone hating on this show broooo this show is heat, hands down my favorite of this year, and i might argue one of their best shows of their recent era

[@ashontheinternet]

@@josephfarkas1639saying that this music isn't challenging is ludicrous lmaooo

[@jesuspectre9883]

The poem is William Blake's Garden of Love, a commentary on religious dogma's threat to sexual expression and sexual identity. This theme is as current and high stakes as shows get, in any performing art. Ron Desantis's war on gays is the catalyst for the important point of view in this show. If you listen to the poem, Blake goes to the garden of love for a sensual experience, and ends up facing an imposing religious structure, a chapel, that warns him of the rules and restrictions. The garden's visual representation here has the trippy flavor of 60's flower power, an era of sexual revolution and the thwarting of overbearing organized religion on sexual freedoms. Black behemoth characters loom in Act II, a metaphor for religious dogma and sexual repression. After this, the show blossoms into a powerful anthem of individual expression and defiance of moral imposition brought by the behemoths. The poem narration is integrated into the rhythm of the experience. The show needs a final visual statement, destroying religion's interference, giving way to a celebration of personal expression and freedom. All of the artistic decisions in this show are intentional, and it is your job to research them fully.

[@80BDBL]

Enough with the bloviating. this show is about supporting pedophelia. Look at the butterfly symbology....you are over the target. .....

[@organboi]

Your take on the poem is totally fine. But you can't lump all religious dogma (and non dogma) as being against sexual expression. There are many churches that preach utter dogma that totally welcome LGBT members and have done so for years. Many pastors are openly gay themselves. And maybe look closer into DeSantis' legislation. Are people grossly exaggerating and falsifying the facts of the laws. I don't see how is against drag queens. He is against drag queens sexualizing their shows and having children present. And he never said, "Don't say gay." I don't agree with him on most of the stuff, but I try to face and learn the facts. He's done a lot of good for the state btw. I'm not republican, but I do live partially in Florida.

[@jesuspectre9883]

@@organboi Unless you have been living under a rock and have mold instead of eyes, and have two charred Florida flapjacks for eardrums, Ron DeSantis”s agenda has been viciously anti-gay. The insidious opportunist insists on using the expression “woke” to identify any liberal vision for inclusion and diversity, including attacking a teacher who showed a Disney film with a supporting character who is gay. He transported immigrants to various destinations illegally, against international human rights laws. He insists that the word gay cannot be used in any context for children, which strips people of their right to talk about their marriages and family at a basic level. DeSantis claims he wants to protect children from adult performances, which sounds reasonable until you see that he’s restricting any discussion of LGBTQ families or even mentioning families with gay marriage. DeSantis has continually expanded his don’t say gay bill, And has initiated legislation to effectively shut down the Disney corporation who is liberal leaning. For you to soften his fascist actions is a sign that you are either closeted, a Fox News moron, mentally ill, or completely devoid of any critical thinking skills. You pick one and let us know. Your argument that "Yeah but not all religious institutions..." is a deflection. The Bluecoats' subject and theme couldn't be more high stakes and immediately relatable to our current headlines. The power in the Bluecoats show, and from William Blake's poem, come from the truth: Dogma-based institutions like the Catholic Church and Florida governor Ron DeSantis's agenda are battling the monumental forces of nature and natural love.

[@john_d210]

The show is all based on the poem "Garden of Love". If you read the poem on its own, it might help understand a bit more about what's going on in the show.

[@jordantyler148]

Also listen to the sax quintet source music, with the rhythmic narration

[@sammykays5858]

This years show honours the 18th century 'free-love' pervert, religious bigot and cuckold poet William Blake😃

[@isekai_neo]

I feel like if people did this with most shows they’d have a better understanding , a lot people don’t really look into the show/try to understand it. Which is a shame cuz once you understand and know the shows history it completely changes your perspective and appreciation for the show.

[@jennyrobertson]

The poem is really a critique of the church as a stifling force on life and love. I hope they pick up on that in the closer-the guard represents “joys and desires” so if they can get the priests in black to corral them, then the band (the garden) can bust the guard open and liberate the joys and desires. Time will tell.

[@SS2Balls]

it really helped cause me and my mom were really lost in the end

[@Splooie010]

Would still love to see you guys check out the Bluecoats Alumni performance together, even if you all seen it already!

[@tredaviousbowser7931]

Imagine an entire HBCU show

[@Joselrcblkops]

Love this so much great jobs guys!

[@owencouchman5746]

Their closer last year was called “The Garden” we have a storyline

[@OT3S]

? Their closer was Liminality

[@owencouchman5746]

@@OT3S no, 2022 Bluecoats closer was The Garden by Brad Mehldau

[@OT3S]

@@owencouchman5746 They played "The Garden" after their ballad, but "Liminality" by Dave Hall was their closer.

[@owencouchman5746]

@@OT3S I’m not even seeing it in their song selection 😭

[@Wolverine699]

Great read. Story.... birth, life, struggle, death, and re birth.

[@mrbellafante1]

Alan, you’re spot on with that, but it’s Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. #theeilove

[@closersdci]

I think this show is neat af, I am in love with the the subtle callbacks actually blending into the shows melodies instead of just being outright like in past shows, but my only gripe is that they've been doing the same show for the past 3/4 seasons, but I guess its justified since they've found their niche into the top 3 and people will continue to adore the show over something like BD or crown/BAC.

[@f4llen.LE4VE5]

So the beginning of the closer is actually taken from Anna Meredith’s song entitled ‘Bump’ and the trippy feeling of the song I feel brings you into a whole other world and it’s almost unbearable to listen to the actual thing at times, it’s supposed to make you uncomfortable but you just wanna keep listening. Similar to how they used Anna Meredith’s song ‘Nautilus’ in their 2022 show it’s a very unique take and adds a lot of personality to the show and the corps personality as a whole

[@trevorchandler3831]

Love you guys, been a fan since day 1💪🏻. Y’all should do more reactions with guests from different corps.

[@ayytism8857]

Btw didn't know if you catched it but Bloo are marching straight leg this year!

[@douglassstevens9759]

I don’t hate it but I’m over corps repeating each year. I get “if it ain’t broke why fix it” I enjoyed when they did a variety of stuff. I did not realize they got a Crown Alumni on their staff. Their brass should be even better now!

[@Jesse-tb2rg]

Where's the ballad? Their ballad this year is amazing idk why it wasn't in this video.

[@elliottfamilyslo8504]

Why did you skip the ballad ☹️

[@loganjohnson8010]

Jolly good show!

[@KIDICARIS]

.TONY FLORIO THANKS FOR THE MUSIC .1997 ALLIANCE OF MIAMI .WE LOVE YOU .WHAT A SHOW .

[@DillonM-mc6yw]

Nobody commented on those high Gs in the piccolo trumpet! Good lord that’s tougher than on a regular Bb imo. I honestly love this show so much but I can’t help but think the BD 3peat is coming. Devils show this year just has something to it that I love too and they are cleaaaaaan! If Bloo can clean up like the devils they will have a shot too for sure tho

[@juannou2710]

Shoutout Chris Mosher on picc🙏😩

[@AveryKrick_piano]

Do more of these vids!

[@JesusGarcia-gr3pp]

Y’all should do pacific crest they are looking like the core to watch this year

[@reneeblanchard7218]

FOR SURE!!

[@trentbildstein5610]

I'm one of those who has a problem with the narration. I can basically accept it for transitions, but I think it's a terrible idea during the meat of a part. It competes with the performers and I think that's a problem.

[@bluemanfansam]

You should do a video on 2023 BD

[@thomasdavidson5276]

Personally, I liked the Bluecoats show last year better than this year. We'll see how it progresses through the tour.

[@joshsalmons1867]

It's crazy because the bluecoats used to have one of the most generic looking uniforms.

[@quinftbl]

This is the one!

[@Maikel098]

I agree this show is doing great on a GE and esthetic level, and also muscially it's very interesting and layered, but from a visual composition and unity standpoint this feels sooooooo disconnected! Almost like it was 'over-staged' in a way where there's too much stuff going on at the field, and although the seperate things work, I feel like they don't really enhance eachother visually as they could have to create unity. Also I feel like from a creativity standpoint they didn't really explore a lot of new things visually and their show reminds me a lot of last years.... so yeah, cool esthetics and mood, but this show doesn't really do it for me as Boston, BD or Crown

[@goldenpooper4326]

Can Malik talk less in these react videos? Totally uncool to hog all the air time audio wise... (This is a joke please dont kill me)

[@tyranitartee]

The comment section 😭

[@carln9380]

💘 *Promo sm*

[@icysand3962]

I feel like the narrating at 4:24 is unnecessary, I'd much rather hear the brass than the narrator repeating himself.

[@RatSlayerGaming]

that's how the source material they are playing is though......

[@icysand3962]

@@RatSlayerGaming just saying my opinion, if that's the case I still really don't like it lol

[@19891CYGR]

why with the premiering?

[@sb33doeznugget32]

Because they can 👍

[@DillonM-mc6yw]

Builds hype!

[@brown55061]

Crown was very clean and proper for the early season but their show can't grow, like you guys said. Bloo has 100 ways to improve this show so will the staff make the right choices and push the kids at the right times? BD is already really good but their show is just loud, fast and complex with no real FEEL like Bloo has. So GE should go to Bloo or Boston. Who is going to clean the most??? Time will tell

[@tommy2122108]

Idk if I necessarily agree with your "Crown can't grow" comment. It's still fairly early, with a month til Finals. Crown still has a decent amount to add, which you'll see some of the additions and changes at the Little Rock and Broken Arrow show coming up.

[@brown55061]

@@tommy2122108 I hope you're right and it's a 5 way race to the title.

[@WeMissDimebag]

Crown is going to have to add a lot to climb imo, their book is just lacking relative to the top 3. That being said, I assume they are going to add a lot. It won’t be a 5 way race tho, that never happens.

[@chrisl83]

Since it’s a similar show, it reminds me of early season Spartacus that was bare bones. It wasn’t until Allentown that Phantom pulled up from fourth.

[@jordantyler148]

@@tommy2122108crown feels so clean right now, if I was there I’d be panicking and adding as much difficulty to the visual book as fast as I can so we could get it clean by finals. I can’t imagine they aren’t already working on it, but it already feels like they are running out of time.

[@19891CYGR]

It's mid July and yet Bluecoats have only shown up to perform at 4 judged shows so far this summer. That's Weak Sauce for such an expensive corps. CC only has 5 shows. I have respect for BAC and BD for bussing their asses all over the place and showing up for the fans.

[@mitchellurban4910]

Honestly I’m really tired of the Bluecoats design over the past couple years. The dancing needs to stop, it needs to be a lot more marching. The uniforms are better than last year, but it just doesn’t do it for me. It seems too much like an acid trip like the past couple years. I miss the 2016 and 2017 and 2018 show design.

[@dmajorx]

This show is confusing and nothing truly special in my opinion.

[@andrewbay8891]

best show to come out of this season imo.