All the attention recently is on SCV and Bloo tying last night and Mandarins breaking top 12, but I wanted to bring some love to two corps I saw last night that deserve mad love.

1. The Academy. They're in 13th right now, and within a point of the 11th and 12th place bands, but I've never seen anything about them. Their show is amazing for a few reasons starting with the uniforms! Everyone is trying for the avant garde uniforms these last few seasons, to varying effect (see OC and BK), but Academy knocked it out of the park; their uniforms and show are based on an actual academy, and the uniforms look like real classy school uniforms, keeping the corps theme cohesive and the new look actually works instead of others tried this year. Also, their formations are tight, their hornline is amazing, and the guard was so good (the tosses were great but the integration with the desks was wild). I loved Academy's show, exited for next year.

2. Pacific Crest. As far as I understand it from my mom who did WGI and lived in SoCal, PacCrest grew out of Pacific Crest High School, a really good high school band. From such humble beginnings, I'm legitimately impressed with their show. Do I think they'll make top 12? Probably not; the horn book is pretty simple and the show isn't as bold and brash as dci judges like, but it's a must see either way. Based on I think Hollywood, the show features top 12 level mellos, a La La Land section, and a section during the show where the guard literally breaks out wood boards and busts into a tap session on the field. Real fun, way good for such a young Corp

Bonus: Troopers show opens with Welcome to the Black Parade and features their trademark super slow moving drum major. Fun show. Blue Knights show was also dang good though they're not underrated, but I had to mention those pyramids and THAT MELLO SOLO!! The costumes eventually grew on me too