So I definitely think the Big 3 from California should come back here next year in addition to some top Midwest/Southern groups! This competition has potential to be one of the biggest if some big name out-of-towners come next year!
EDIT: just saw a comment from an In Sync member saying that the show has no relation to Prodigal (although it would make sense if it was the sequel) and another comment explaining the show.
They live in a wasteland wanting to escape to paradise. They meet a man with an invention that is capable of transporting them to the virtual reality “Oasis,” a perfect place with all they could have ever asked for. Some, however, start to question if they should stay in the Oasis or go back to what they know is real. They then realize that the creator of the Oasis is using it to control the people, and the 3 individuals that chose reality over the Oasis need to rescue their friends. They destroy the machine being used to control everyone in the Oasis and everyone is free.
I don’t think it would make much sense as a “sequel to prodigal” they are not toys, and that story ended in the original set. Just cause they have crazy lights again doesn’t mean it’s prodigal 2.0 haha. Their show this year is really cool though, and very easy to understand, which makes it so much more enjoyable! I love their set, and they do an incredible job performing it!
I agree that their set is fairly easy to understand, and doesn't seem to have much to do with Prodigal. The year they do Prodigal 2.0 is the year I lose faith in Burbank's wild creativity
Congrats to Connexion winning 1st place, Best Showmanship, and best Costumes! Also Congrats to Sound Waves getting 2nd, Best Show Design, and Best Musicianship!
MIXED TIER I
GC - John Burroughs "Powerhouse" (Musicianship, Best Choreography, Best Soloist)
1RU - Los Alamitos "Sound FX" (Showmanship, Best Show Design)
2RU - Burbank "In Sync" (Best Costumes)
3RU - Brea Olinda "Masquerade" (Most Spirited)
(I do not envy these judges... easily the closest and hardest to call division, maybe in the nation...)
MIXED TIER III
GC - John Burroughs "Sound Waves" (Showmanship)
1RU - Burbank "Out Of The Blue"
2RU - Los Alamitos "Connexion" (Musicianship)
3RU - Helix "HLX"
4RU - Golden Valley "Voltage"
5RU - Pacifica "Encore"
(This could all be very different. OOTB hasn't competed yet, so nothing to base it off of)
WOMENS TIER I
GC - Los Alamitos "Soundtrax" (Showmanship)
1RU - John Burroughs "Sound Sensations" (Musicianship)
2RU - Burbank "Impressions"
3RU - Brea Olinda "Spellbound"
4RU - Carlsbad "Encore"
(1st & 2nd can easily be switched, so can 4th & 5th. Tough division!)
WOMENS TIER II
GC - Los Alamitos "Xquisite" (Musicianship, Showmanship)
1RU - John Burroughs "Decibelles"
2RU - Hart "Hartbreakers"
3RU - Helix "HD"
Overall a stacked day! A little sad that there's no Mens division, cause I really enjoyed Los Al and Burroughs's sets. Tier I is going to be absolutely crazy!!!
After seeing all 4 shows online, these are my Tier 1 predictions:
GC - Los Alamitos (Showmanship/choreography)
1st ru - John Burroughs (Musicianship)
2nd ru - Burbank
3rd ru - Brea Olinda
All 4 of these shows have a LOT going on, but these groups perform like no one else in the country. I think Los Al could sweep, they just seem to be a notch above the rest (although I'm still not completely sure what their show is about.. the video that was posted of them recently got deleted). My personal favorite show is John Burroughs (the soloist that sings that French song is incredible - well, all of their soloists are. California kids can SING). I really hope there is a livestream here, but I'm not gonna be that guy that asks!
I interpreted Los Al's show (via the YouTube video) as being about escapism. The protagonist lives a pretty miserable life, dead-end job and a sick wife, and he gets an opportunity to go into some hologram/simulation/virtual reality program. He's free in this hologram to do whatever, building up to some insane, manic party. In the aftermath he wakes up and, I think, realises he can't hide from his reality and continues with his life and work through his problems.
Predictions For Tier 1
GC: Los Alamitos (BC)(Best Musicianship)(Best Male Soloist)
1RU: John Burrough (Best Showmanship)(Best Stage Design)(Best Female Soloist)(Best Tech)
2RU: Burbank (Best Costume)
3RU: Brea
Best of Luck to all Competing Groups
Oceanside Sound-Off! 2019
