Bluecoats 2013 // 1080p60fps

[charredolive]

I remember listening to this show on repeat in high school. City Life still brings me unmatched joy

[sourpatchkid]

3:46 has been giving me chills since 2013. i want to cry

[jamesswofford]

3:46 has been stuck in my head since 2013

[PokeBrick]

so much serotonin whenever this show gets reuploaded, it’s my favorite because of the nostalgia and perfection it brings

[jamesswofford]

3:46... Never heard anything more beautiful

[jesuspectre]

This is one of the most brilliantly designed drum corps shows of all time, from a show concept perspective. The Bluecoats' To Look for America contains a scorchingly relevant thematic argument -- drum corps began as a VFW jukebox of zealous nationalism, and has evolved into a platform for honest, high-stakes cultural commentary. That's right, drum corps has become art. In this show we see drum corps begin as a platform for jingoistic patriotism, and then it eventually becomes an evolved genre. To Look for America is a modern DCI show which reveals the gray areas of American cultural dysfunction-- including veterans' issues, organized religion (Cohen's Hallelujah), corporate greed-based nationalism, and fighting against the Hallmark card imagery of the American nuclear family.


Let's explain it all.

When the show opens, we see a traditional 1960's parade formation (0:45). Drum corps started off as parade units honoring and guarding the American flag during WWII, Korea and the Vietnam conflict. America's balloon of innocence is popped in the Vietnam conflict where Americans become aware of war for profit motives and the military industrial complex which profits from war (1:54). The stands empty into the parade route-- America is about its citizens now, not a military-dominated culture of imperialism and elongated wars for profit. American culture devolves into a binary battle- Democrats on the left and Republicans on the right (3:47). As the Simon and Garfunkle tune of the same name suggests, we see the Michigan nuclear family disintegrate into a more meaningful and diverse big-city picnic with blankets for all (5:47) The parade bleachers originally meant for obedient, military-hypnotized citizens are spun around and put to alternative use. The military showmen now fill the stands as observers to watch the important cultural evolution (5:40). Disenfranchised recruits are shot on far away mountains, without purpose, and disappear without burial or observance (8:50). By the end of the show, the young girl's balloon is inflated again, and she is whole, presumably wiser.

Drum corps shows in the early years weren't as sophisticated as Bluecoats' To Look for America. A few bars of a jazz-styled Malaguena or a Send in the Clowns used to be enough to garner a DCI championship. Not so any more. To Look for America contains a cohesive social commentary about America's Born on the Fourth of July-esque loss of innocence. The production not only captures a high stakes, introspective view of our current milieu, it's also a commentary on drum corps sprouting from its roots in military propaganda.

Despite a thin ending, the corps members themselves reveal that they are fully aware of the activity they're engaged in, understand the meaning behind the music, know its painful historical context, and own the key to changing the future.
Unflinching, passionate, and whip-smart.

[LowkBandKidFade]

The mello rip at 3:57 was so crisp. The entire ballad hit so hard. Hell, the entire show looked so fun. I would’ve loved to march it if I wasn’t a toddler at the time 💀💀

[gabrielfaure]

Something about that mello part with “America” at 1:06 just works phenomenally.

[meechisminners]

Tilt will always be the most iconic Bluecoats show but this is my personal favorite

[adumbusername]

2:23 is probably one of my favorite bass features

Edit: I know it's not anywhere near the hardest feature but it sounds *so good*

[makinbacon]

Repertoire:
Hallelujah- Leonard Cohen 00:34
America- Paul Simon 00:48
Agnus Dei- Rufus Wainwright 1:28
Washington Post- John Philip Sousa 1:39
City Life Mv. 1- Steve Riech 2:06
The River I. The Spring- Duke Ellington 4:39
Ebony Concerto- Igor Stravinsky 6:45
Concerto for Wind Ensemble, Mvt. 5- Steven Bryant 8:55
America- Paul Simon 10:39
Hallelujah- Leonard Cohen 10:57

[barrymonroy]

One of the best tenor lines 👌 I've heard at the time 🙌..

[arabellag.]

3:20 is my absolute favorite high brass feature ever, it’s so pretty

[alanburns]

Everyone thinks 2014 was their turning point towards a title, but I think this was it.

[chinadidwhat]

This show had some FIRE music! It's probably one of my favorite Bluecoats shows hands down.

[musicfanatic]

This has been stuck in my head for the past 2 days. Glad this is uploaded!!

[christiandelvalle]

Finally thank you!!!! Honestly throughout the years, I learned to love this show

[bloxxer_boy]

Such an underrated cake recipe, I wish it had more eyes on it lol

[nephaelom]

This show is a mix of absolutely amazing, and putting me to sleep(in a good way)

[adumbusername]

11:11 rip bass mallet lmao

edit: the one in the pit