July 30, 2026 – Lawrence, Massachusetts
Let the summer music games continue. The ample shade trees in the park next to the Lawrence Memorial Stadium provide the perfect venue for the pre-show merriment ahead of the DCI East Coast Classic just outside of Boston, MA. It is also a chance for me to catch up with you. This is the beginning of my auto tour of six DCI shows in six days before heading to Indianapolis for the finals next week. I am sitting with members of the unaffiliated, non-credentialed, unforgettable drum corps fans that will be caravanning with me. Tonight, the Boston Crusaders will host the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Pacific Crest, and the Spartans here for my first live show since the DCI Southwestern Championships in San Antonio. Ten days of relaxation in Vermont, and I am back for more. This show will certainly warm me up for the 5 shows to follow before reaching Indianapolis. This intimate stadium is the perfect venue for up-close-and-personal viewing of the world’s best and those striving. The adoring and loyal Boston area drum corps fans were rained out last year. Tonight, we will squeak by with a passing shower just before the show, I hope.
Tonight, we will squeak by with a passing shower just before the show, I hope.
Reading between the blurry lines suggests that BAC has something up its sleeve to add the X-factor that will push BAC toward the finals. I will be there to watch them at the last four shows before the finals to see how they pull it off. The uphill battle this year is just what BAC craves, coming from behind. Of course, there are four other drum corps that are pushing just as hard for the top three. Odds are the Bluecoats would have to have a complete meltdown to not sweep through to gold. Silver and Bronze are up for grabs between Blue Devils, Boston Crusaders, and Carolina Crown. Santa Clara Vanguard and Phantom Regiment will bring the summer heat from the West and Midwest with just as much intensity to prove me wrong.
Each year, I get pulled in to help out with this event. All hands are on deck with the board members, staff, and volunteers to set up, manage, and tear down the venue. This year is no exception. Seeing these folks again is great medicine, but gives me little time for writing. I hope to be able to catch up with you about the show some time tomorrow, as I plan to begin the drive toward Allentown immediately following the encore. Peace out for now. It’s time to cruise the lot.
July 31, 2026 – Allentown, Pennsylvania
I am parked in the usual spot behind the Hamilton Family Dinner that is directly next to the J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Like the birds of Capistrano, others of like feather will flock together here to celebrate and perform at Drum Corps International’s Eastern Classic. This is a two-day extravaganza of outdoor performances from over 25 youth drum and bugle corps from all corners of the country. I am early, so I have staked out three spots for the others and now am comfortably ensconced in my packable chair with my Mac to catch up with you about the show in Lawrence last night. Poor power management caused me to run my iPhone out of battery before the last four corps. Low power on the Mac, too, caused me to take advantage of sharing a room at the hotel with a fellow traveler and friend. Awaking early, I hit the highway at 5:30 AM and chewed away at the miles from the high side of the left lane through. With a couple of pit stops, I arrived at my favorite respite location along the Delaware River. High water and muddy banks prevented me from hanging my hammock down by the river, so I chose two convenient trees near the car and settled in for a summer power slumber in the shade. Refreshed, I made it here in record time. There is a drum corps in the stadium. I cannot make out who it is. It’s 3:00 PM. I expect to see some trucks and buses roll very soon.
Yesterday’s show in Lawrence went off without a hitch. The rain came and went as predicted before the start of the show. It was light and misty, the kind of rain that you can golf in. I was dry after my short walk around the lot. I did not want to miss anything and took my seat up in Section 14, Row CC, Seat 10, directly in the sweet spot at the 50-yard line. This was the perfect spot to watch and listen to five World Class DCI corps, including the hometown and defending DCI Champions, the Boston Crusaders. To start us off, the Crusaders Senior Corps and North Star gave us a taste of tradition. But then, the magic began with a corps that is pushing for a place on finals night, Pacific Crest, all the way from Diamond Bar, the City of Industry, California. I have found this show irresistible after seeing it three times in California and once in San Antonio. Oh, how these kids have brought this show along a sublime path. Not one to punch you in the face, rather one that massages your eyeballs and butters your ears with soothingly restrained power and poise. The beauty of the patterned guard uniforms is contrasted by the dark bluish green of the marching musicians. The added color and sparkle at the breast and neckline, and the light fabric capes, are a visually pleasing element. This accentuates the pleasing and satisfying drills that morph seamlessly and with refined precision from the long summer of shows and rehearsals. The Boston fans gave them a very warm and approving standing ovation. Bravo! This was a great start for what was to come next.
As a Phan, I was super happy to learn the Phantom Regiment would be at this show. My tours for the past two years have not included the Midwest until finals. This has prevented me from catching the early shows and getting enured into the program and repertoire. My one in-person viewing at San Antonio and another on Flo was not enough. Boy, did we get the whole eyeful and earful. This powerhouse corps sent us to another stratosphere as they feverishly pushed themselves through 12 minutes of constant adrenaline to stake out their claim for DCI prominence. The sharp drills, honed by weeks of wetting, sliced and diced the field before us. This corps means business right to the end.
But wait, the kids that get to march in their pajamas took the field next.
But wait, the kids that get to march in their pajamas took the field next. The Bluecoats are a welcome favorite here as they often include this Boston home show in their tour. Of course, it is hard to deny how this show has affected me since following them in the lot and at three shows in California. Just WOW! Now in its mostly final form, “Grace and Gravity” is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. The recent rivalry between the hometown corps and the Bluecoats initially caused muted responses, but then this undeniable force took hold, especially after the most scrumptious ballad, “God Only Knows,” by Brian Wilson. I need to curb my superlatives for now as I have four more views ahead to chronicle.
But wait, the kids that get to march in their pajamas took the field next.”Boom” rocked the drum corps world in 2025. It is not clear how “Blurring the Lines” meets that level of achievement. Maybe that is the intent. There is no question about the championship talent on and off the field. But do not count out this striving corps that will never die. Polish and cleanliness will make the difference as they keep refining the intricate, challenging choreography.
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