Show Theme – Kinetic Noise

Show Repertoire – https://www.facebook.com/Bluecoats/photos/a.394610830709.369273.180000990709/10155582895255710/?type=1&theater

Shaker Loops – by John Adams (as arranged/performed by Jon Anderson)

Electric Counterpoint – by Steve Reich

Woods – by Bon Iver

Gene Takes a Drink – by Michael Gordon

An Animated Description of Mr. Maps – by The Books

Dense – by Univers Zero

One of my friends, a Bluecoats alum, who couldn’t make Finals last season asked me to pick her up a souvenier t-shirt from the corps. I was planning on arriving early to Lucas Oil Stadium so was sure I would be able to swing by the Bluecoats table and grab the prize with plent of time before heading up to the press box for my yearly coverage of championships for DCP. Little did I know that the line for Bluecoats swag would stretch far and away from their booth in the DCI Marketplace, a huge testament to the popularity of 2014 Bloo and their program, Tilt.

There was 15 feet of people in line BEHIND this group.

What’s amazing about the 2014 Bluecoats was that they could have such a popular show playing music that had never been heard on the field before. In fact, the chances were high that drum corps fans hadn’t heard any of their musical selections OFF the field! With a silver medal finish and legions of fans cheering them on, this year’s show, titled Kinetic Noise, may seem like a risk at first but is actually the logical next step from the Bluecoats design team.

As with many of the Bluecoats shows since electronics were allowed in DCI, the music has a very modern and, yes, electric feel to it. Even selections which would normally be accoustic, like John Adams’ Shaker Loops, has the twist of former Yes frontman Jon Anderson giving it the kind of edge that just screams the Bloo of the 21st century. Electric Counterpoint from minimalist composer Steve Reich, a contemporary of Adams, is mesmerizing in its repetitive rhythms. It’s Bon Iver’s Woods, though, that takes what the corps did with Hymn of Axciom last season and pushes the envelope even further.

Staying with the modern feel, Gene Takes a Drink from Michael Gordon brings a post-minimalist feel to the repertoire. Originally written for just six musicians, the music is very raw and powerful, which is just what we want from drum corps. A possible drum feature is An Animated Description of Mr. Maps from an avant garde duo called The Books. This selection also feels like a natural progression from last year’s show while also giving a breath of fresh air to what we’re used to hearing on the field. The last selection of the show, Dense from Univers Zero, is an eclectic mix of chamber music and progressive rock, and is full of undulating melodies and rhythms.

The Bluecoats are no stranger to risk thanks to shows like last year but also 2010 and 2011, two other performances that looked to expand the boundaries of what drum corps fans and even the members were used to. Listening to this year’s source music, however, I can’t help but feel that this show has the potential to turn the activity on its ear more than anybody else on the field. If you loved last year’s Bluecoats, then you will love this year as well. Considering how many loved last year, this is a very good sign.

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