If anything, you've looked more stupid over the last 20 posts than you've done in your previous 1400 posts, which to be fair still isn't as big of an achievement as being the worst dancer at a comp. congrats lol
Right now then....
I appreciate where you're coming from but there's been a bit of theme from the US posts about this. I feel that saying to focus on execution vs the overall complexity of a set (whether it be choreo complexity or formation complexity) is a cop out. There's been a few posts about how the US scene focuses on execution vs UK compromising execution by doing crazy formations. If someone can post up a US set from the 2017/2018 season (bar the teams mentioned previously like NJ/SPD/Soormay) that shows superior execution by a set of dancers vs the top tier UK sets that have come out, we can then discuss this in more detail.
The claim is that the focus is execution but I have yet to see a set from the US where I've enjoyed watching the Bhangra. Forget the formations, forget the mix, forget the choreo complexity, just pure Bhangra. (Obv talking about mix sets before some genius posts a live set). We can talk in personal opinions and subjective thoughts all we want, but
@Dss91 showed that by posting UoB/Aston vs DRP video comparison. Now I understand DRP is not a good example, but let's see another team that showcases this Execution that is such a focus in the US scene. As mentioned, Aston at TBS18 is one of the cleanest sets to come out of the UK while showing complexity in their formations. I'm happy to discuss this further but let's see a set from the US that shows this execution? So we can have a direct comparison for this discussion. So far, there's only been claims that "our scene focuses on showing Bhangra, judges want to see simple formations with clean execution of moves" etc. As mentioned before, I don't follow the US scene as I used to but still give placing and winning sets a watch and I can't pick out a set that shows this (bar the teams already mentioned before).
Now you've said that UK shows complexity/creativity from formations and not choreography? Now once again this may be a subjective thing, I'm unsure in what you're looking for in creative choreography/set making? I'll list a few moments below..
- VP at BF17 starting set with a Jhoomer segment
- Kings College at TBS2018 doing a Dandaas segment
- Aston at TBS2018 starting their set with a formational Dhamaal piece
- Uob at TBS 2017 starting their set with Mirza
- GCC at BF17 doing a Jhoomer style Mela in the middle of the set
- GCC at BF18 starting set with Phumaniya
Now these are all winning and/or placing sets so it's not like i'm pulling some random or unheard sets out here.
I'm not trying to change your opinion, but I'm showing that there is a different perspective here that the US scene seems to either miss or ignore. The claim has been made enough but there's proof yet to be seen.
From the start of these threads, the claim from us (not all the UK but just a few of us) that there is no attraction to compete in the US because we believe that right now, UK sets are superior to US sets in all aspects. I still stand by this statement as I've yet to be shown a set that shows this. The claim is that IF UK teams were to compete against US teams, there would be no comparison as UK teams win all day every day in every aspect of competition based bhangra and this is shown by posting sets that show clean execution by teams, creative choreo, creative formations and complex concepts and complex overall sets.
Of course no one can prove any of these points made above by me or anyone else until we see the top tier teams from every scene go at it at one comp.
You've said that "Literally EVERY vid i watched from Bhangrafest followed the EXACT same template". See above where I've listed sets showing creativity in their sets and not following this slow to fast template you mention. But...
Top 3 Teams at BF18 in order
GCC - Started with Jhoomer bethka and then Fast Phumaniya before Sapp
VP - Live style Slow entrance (This fits the template that you mention)
AJ - Started Hype
3 Teams, 3 different starts and set structures.
Also, Soormay won at Legacy by starting slow and then sped up for their sapp segment.
This may be a template to some, but top teams understand how to build sets and showcase pace changes. I can say exactly the same about US sets few years ago where everyone used to do a Khunda pose as a slow drop during their fast Khunda segment (and generally slow drops in their fast segments).
We're talking about teams having styles. This is a cop out once again. Back in NJ vs SGPD days we used to say this and it made sense, but now every top team is trying to show how bhangra is executed. There is at least a consensus by top teams about how certain moves are done. Majority of UK teams have this "style" because they're trying to better their Bhangra execution year in year out. NJ and SPD execute moves in a similar manner. Obviously, someone is going to quote this post and say "no they do this move different and this move different"...But generally, 80-90% of the moves are done the same as this is taken from folk execution.
Also, when live teams perform they don't have a "style", they all execute the moves the same. Does this mean they're boring? Do they need to be be more unique?
I personally don't agree with "every dancer needs their own personality". This is a team based sport. Being a unit is what wins you competitions. If every dancer tries to show their personality during a set, the unity and sync is thrown out without regard. Maybe this is where the US sets are going wrong.
And last point about "don’t rely on things like seizure-inducing lighting cues to sell your product". TBS is the only comp that does this and that's because the teams don't get much of a say in this. Now it's fair that no one outside of UK scene may know this so I'll not build on your lighting point.
But I will say that trying to sell your product with cringey videos made for Projectors to distract the audience from your sets isn't any better either.