A&T had the best show and the auxiliary is definitely their secret weapon 🔥🔥🔥they add so much to the overall visual of the show. I knew they would win even though JSU is the fan favorite.

The ballad from JSU was impeccable!

Go ahead and say it Steven. "I don't see how the hell A&T beat JSU...had to be extra points for the flags or something ". Yea, I took Reading Between the Lines 101😂😂😂😂. We feel the same as you.

FMU got that. AMAZING JOB TUBAS‼️ Woodwinds did they thing too. Whole band just getting better each year and building their identity. Can’t wait to see them in the coming years.🙏🏾

Drill Boom drill!!! 💙🤍🐅

FMU totally deserves to be 1st in their division. Proud of them. Cant wait to hear what your thoughts are later this evening.

FMU deserved it based on sound alone. But JSU was snubbed. That intro fanfare for JSU was the traditional Blownin Fanfare mixed with Usher’s “Superstar”

NCA&T 🩵💛💪

Pround Alumna! 🔶🔷 FLOMO showed up and showed out!!! 🔷🔶

Shout out to FMU!!! The Youngest HBCU Band in the Nation!!!! Watching the competition between JSU vs NCAT made me think about the movie "Drumline"!!!! Is it about "fanfare" or showmanship??? I forgot to say "AGGIE PRIDE"!!! & "AGGIES DO!!!! BGMM - THE NUMBER ONE HBCU BAND IN THE NATION!!!!!

FMU jumped over the big bands like a drum major hurdling another drum major into a split. FMU just got a new fan!

I agree with the results 100%. I will concede that when it comes to JSU and NCAT style preference starts to creep in. Good job VSU but FMU was just too much band and earned this one. I also think that between FMU, JSU and NCAT each one of those bands has the right formula. This is where VSU needs the work in my opinion, something is missing.

All of the bands were great and I agree with the winners being Florida Memorial and North Carolina AT&T. Florida Memorial had a great sound for their size and the flag team was in balance with all of their selections. North Carolina AT&T had a great all around sound with the band not being extremely loud and taking away from the incredible melody in all their performances. Their auxillary is one of the best teams because they are multi talented, and the flags were in balance during the entire presentation. It would be nice to know ESPN's criteria in selecting the final four bands and their scoring chart during the Band of the year performances.

Regarding the Band Of The Year event, there are some points to be observed, the first and most clear, it was a failure with the public, the second the bands were shrunken or better said cramped in a corner of the stadium, when there was so much empty space for them to be better accommodated, third in a fantastic stadium with so much space, acoustics and resources, they placed the bands on the extreme sides where we know that in covered environments the acoustics don't help. Finally, I don't know what criteria were adopted by the event's judging committee, but I think JSU was better than NCAT. It's my opinion.

ESPN knew and had a winner before the show was even performed. They also had a score for each band before the Atlanta performance.

The judges for the competition are a select committee of marching band experts Co -Chaired by Jackson State Director of Bands Emeritus Professor Dowell Taylor and Dr.Julian E. White FAMU Director of Band Emeritus. The committee evaluates the bands based on their auxiliaries,drum majors,musicality, percussion,and picture/drill. The committee also release monthly power ranking for both divisions based on their graded halftime performances during the season.

FMU had a complete show with a refined, polished, tonal center. All the compositions were clear and recognizable by FloMo. Great job VSU but the clear Division 2 winner was Florida Memorial University.

Nothing was taken from Jackson. A&T is just that fieldshow band! It's no way around it!

There were minor hiccups in every bands drill that participated. I too would like to see the scoring rubric. JSU and NCAT are two different bands with two uniquely different styles. I’d prefer them match bands that have similar auxiliaries and score; b/c the sound quality, execution, and arrangement from JSU was impeccable 🤌🏽. Hands down they were the best sounding squad with awesome drill.

Great commentary… I really appreciate your channel… Seem pretty fair

It shows that most of you that claim the outcome was predetermined do not understand that in competition you are judged for every aspect of the band. You're not judged on for what you don't have. In my opinion NCAT had more musicality (balance, dynamics, and phrasing), more drill formations (not just drill), and better auxiliary than JSU in this video. If you mess up, sometimes you score less. Hopefully ESPN shares the scorecards, but i doubt that will please those with bias.

JSU media was slick for cutting out that big mess up on the drill by avoiding the full band view

Hummmm ok I’ll entertain the idea. How reputable is ESPN when it comes to selecting what bands compete for quote in-quote “Band of the Year”? I will say there were many great bands that could have easily been named so let’s not discredit the bands who were not showcased in this first ever HBCU marching band competition hosted by ESPN. In reference to the 4 performing bands you all were outstanding. The energy the pageantry the level of showmanship displayed was a sight to BEHOLD! 💚💛. 😊 shameless plug. All the bands Virginia State Florida Memorial Jackson State and North Carolina A&T were all phenomenal and displayed what real HBCU marching band culture is all about. You all are winners. Sonic Boom your game plan was solid you potentially were the victors however in the field of competition there’s no room for error. Blue & Gold Marching Machine way to capitalize on the opportunity. You stayed true to what you do and you are the best at what you do. It showed throughout your entire performance. AGGIE PRIDE was in full display. Trojan Explosion no Bands heart is as big as yours. You left it all on the field. You look good and sound great. The ROAR band from South Florida. Man you guys are definitely slept on well after your performance on this stage I’d be willing to bet not anymore. Your sound my GOD is so clean and powerful. Your precision and attention to detail was un-matched in my opinion. If there were an overall band category I would chose FMU. You were the X factor band of the night. Stay true to yourselves and keep being innovative. Thank you all again for sharing your musical gifts with us. 🙏🏾💪🏾❤️✊🏾

VSU got IN for that Vivian Green, Gotta put in that WORK. I loved every band presentation overall. It was amazing to be in the place. I would love to come back next year to see the band battle. This is an amazing opportunity opportunity for bands to get funding. Best wishes to Florida Memorial on making their first big band appearance ( New Band Program).

FMU is the total package. Kudos to all participants for keeping HBCU culture alive and buzzing. 🤌🏾

JSU studied previous major BOTB performaces that A&T did and it shows. They incorporated a rotation to company front (honda '14) and a drum feature and centered their show around a theme to compete w/ the BGMM...that was a smart strategy, i gotta give it to them for having a gameplan and adapting

You get it! I've been talking about showing a rubric on this for months.

I agree with the final outcome and every band did a great job!!!! This was good for the culture of bands. I am glad that no band won off popularity!!!!

Auxiliary points are factored into the overall score. NCAT more than likely outscored Jackson with the flag team and color guards. Now it didn’t take anything away from Jackson’s overall score and they weren’t deducted any points for not having them. But since NCAT did have them they were awarded points. JSU could have had a perfect score and would have still probably lost because A&T was just as good and with those added points would have still won.

Wow..so much hate on this thread. But anyway Aggie Pride the blue and gold marching machine won fair and square. So get over it.

VSU ALUM HERE!! HAIL STATE!! Major 🔑: Be Loud and Right!! ..lol

I would like to know if the judges even marched in a band or had the musical expertise to judge such an event. Did they march in a core style band, SWAC, MEAC, SIAC or what? Would love to see the score cards on this one.

Im curious to know how this was judged really 😂😂 was there a judge for sound.... marching and maneuvering....AUXILIARY...😂😂 ESPN we need answers great job Florida Memorial 👏 🔥🥇🏆

A&T and jackson state were close to me. Both stayed on them with usher and old school hits. The deciding factor was jsu drill where they messed up in the top left corner. A&t had one two but not as noticable

I said that also. Because A&T didn’t sound like that live on ESPN+

The drill formation. The percussion intro to the slow tune. The Flags. Tonal Basses. The Green and Gold machine did their thing.

It still seems a like JSU studied A&T .. too many things they did had A&T written all over it. Not to mention A&T did a “usher” show at Honda 2009… now JSU got the jsettes out there when the band coming on the field? . Then ending it in spelling “thee sonic boom “ just like A&T did in Honda 2017 with “bad boys “ show. You can spell the sonic boom but it’s how you maneuvered into the formation that shows you studied A&T. Company fronts, since when JSU march backwards and side step ?

at first i thought it was crazy that ncat got placed above jsu, until i saw the show. not only did it have a lot more going on and was a lot more fun to watch, their sound actually surprised me. Jsu sounds great, but ncat is nice and focused while still having power to it. Jsu is more of a flood of power, but you can feel the emotion in theirs. i think it makes sense that ncat won, but i see why it would bother people

Regarding the North Carolina A&T half-time show, I think they had this show ready for a long time, making small changes to improve it, a small observation, at some moments it seemed like I was listening to "Norfolk State", for the cleanliness of the arrangements hahaha, but of course it wasn't. Well, about the presentation, what I saw and heard were well-made, risk-free developments, which included flags to further highlight this part of the presentation. Regarding the musical part, they came with a well-rehearsed safety repertoire with well-known songs that have already been performed before, unlike JSU, NCAT called for a Hip Hop medley, perhaps as an allusion to the 50 years of this Culture. I want to highlight the cleanliness of the arrangements and the power of the brass that the aforementioned band presented in this performance, and which I didn't observe at other times, I also think that the spaces for the drums were exaggerated and tiring. Finally, I think NCAT prepared a lot for this championship, and bet on safety if that made the difference in the trial, they entered with a good advantage over SONIC BOOM.

JSU did very well, musically both T and JSU had to be very close. But when the scores are added from Drumline, Auxiliary, Drum Majors and General Effect I’m sure T was at least 10 points ahead in each division. Example Drum Majors received scores for conducting and JSU DM’s danced during their ballad and didn’t conduct. JSU did their homework and researched all of T’s former shows but that just was not enough. Both bands did great

JSU was robbed 🤷🏾‍♂️ I hope they never come back

I honestly feel if the boom didn’t have the minor mess up’s the judges still would’ve gave it to A&T for their visuals (Golden Delight). Dance wise J-Settes ate them girls up. Golden Delight do to much bouncing around in those dance features which makes them all look the same.

The most controversial topic of this season 😂

By far JSU was the better band, this couldn’t have been base on this Performance and sound, because it was no comparison.

Man Jackson state was the best band period, nothing against ncat but there is no way they were better

I admit it that NCA&T had a better field show no doubt, but that is their expertise and where they are well known. JSU is gonna take care of you in the stands and energize the crowd. I have watched both bands' videos throughout the season and who they went up against...as far as band of the year in my opinion 2023, Band of the Year goes to Jackson State. #2 is not even NcA&T or Southern. My #2 is Norfolk State. #3 Tennesse State, #4 FAMU, #5 NCA&T, #6 Southern.

Its very interesting that among the media team videos, 1 band has over 100K views while the other only has 20K views.

JSU lost not only due to auxiliary but because of drum line as well. They should have never done a drum feature against A&T… I agree with the results A&T show was just cohesive and flowed, dramatic, visually appealing and sounded great. I was hoping they ended the show spinning into some company fronts but it is what it is. They did the damn thing. JSU was great ! Power power power !! Whew.. but A&T got them on balance, auxiliary and drumline . W&T feature just didn’t compare to CS feature. That’s just the bottom line.

They were killing me with those horns trying to blow

JSU simply was the better band! ESPN show us the score sheets! 😡😡

That was usher “groupie”

I do believe the four bands there did deserve to be there. My issue is that more bands should have also been there at least 4 d1 and 4 d2. I also think the order of the top 10 was disgusting

Now gotta go aback and watch the 2016 Queen City BOTB to see A&T na S.U. at the Same BTOB.

Reading the comments, JSU fans are real salty 😢. This is 3 strikes , 2 Celebration Bowl losses and now Band of The Year. Stop making excuses! Nothing belongs to you, you earn it and this time you didn't. Better luck next year Sonic Boom! Congrats NCA&T and FMU, job well done!

They got penalties for being out formation plus lines not straight plus once dancer slipped Plus look at their X and QR Code formation. That broken formation stood out like a sore thumb.

I saw and heard what both bands performed in their half-time shows, and I raise the technical issues of both bands. At first I draw attention to a small, more visible failure of one of JSU's components, right at the beginning of the first entrance evolution when he was unable to keep his leg raised for a long time and ended up stepping on the grass, this must have taken away points from the band. . Regarding the musical part, my impression is that JSU invested in a bolder repertoire with danceable and well-known songs, and fewer hip hop references, the harmony of these songs was beautiful and worked well, but I think the arrangements of these songs lacked prominent participation from some instruments such as trombones, I liked the game of alternating notes between the tubas, but I understand that in general the arrangements were not as clean as others that the aforementioned band has presented in previous moments, I also highlight that it is important in a presentation not there are so many spaces without melody and more Percussion, in the case of JSU, these spaces occurred due to intervals between songs and stages of the presentation, I did not observe musical flaws, nor of evolution, except for the one at the very beginning. My final impression is that JSU gave a fair presentation with musical innovation in blocks, but they could have brought much cleaner songs and arrangements, like the ones they have been presenting recently. That's my opinion on SONIC BOOM!

I believe Sonic is "band of the year" in name, but NCAT won this battle. Sonic has the best sound this year! But NCAT was right there with them in this competition. I think "WE" (myself included) banhheads have gotten a little arrogant and toxic of our critique of HBCU bands. This competition was a celebration of HBCU bands, not "bandhead" subculture. As bandheads we only tend to care about who blows the loudest, who's trumpets are screaming, and 5th quarter battles. Damn the field show, damn the auxiliary, damn keeping poised in the stands, damn entertaining your audience in general anymore. I think NCAT captured the essence of HBCU band experience overall. Sonic may have sounded a tad better but thats it.

NC A&T media team def enhanced their sound lol 😂

I WILL ALWAYS REP BEHOLD GREEN & GOLD, BUT GREAT JOB VSU REALLY GOOD SHOW, TUBAS & MAJORETS ALWAYS BEEN YOUR STONGEST, BUT THE ESSENCE & DRUMLINE REALLY GOT BETTER OVER THE YEARS. FMU I AM A FAN THEY DIDNT OVER BLOW LIKE THE BANDS IN THE SOUTH THE PLAY THERE LANE LIKE NSU & VSU DOES FOR THERE SIZE THAT TUBA SOLO WAS FIRE, YOU DONT SEE THAT ALOT.

I completely agree with the outcome. A&T came ready and put together a well balanced show. You always heard where the melody was while A&T was playing. JSU not so much. There melody sections always have to overcome the lack of balance to be hard. They are just louder but not as balanced. You can have strong power and be balanced at the same time. FMU was a joy to watch from beginning to end. VSU has some work to do. Marching band field shows are always about overall effect. That stand band mentality will not win in competitions like this.

Regarding the Band Of The Year event, there are some points to be observed, the first and most clear, it was a failure with the public, the second the bands were shrunken or rather cramped in a corner of the stadium, when there was so much empty space for them to be better accommodated, third in a fantastic stadium with so much space, acoustics and resources, they placed the bands on the extreme sides where we know that in covered environments the acoustics don't help. Finally, I don't know what criteria were adopted by the event's judging committee, but I think that, even with the security repertoire, clean arrangement that even seemed like "Norfolk State" was performing, and risk-free evolution, the JSU was better than NCAT. It's my opinion!

As for NCAT & Jackson. Come on, NCAT was by far the better band! From musicality, the smooth transitioning into the next song selection. Golden Delight and Cold Still did their thang. They had a dern near perfect showing. JSU not so much. Drill mishap is what really killed it for Jackson. Difficulty or not. You can't have a difficult drill, but don't master it!Plus J5 looked sloppy and who thought it was a good idea for them to wear suits? At a judged competition? Understand stepping out the box. But this is a judged competition. And the Jsettes doesn't come close to all what GD does. Plus GD makes it look effortlessly!!!! Don't get me wrong, i love the Jsettes. But GD is just the total package. JSU was good, but A&T was great! I'm sure they checked ✔️ all the boxes on those judges score cards. Just learn from this Jackson and move on! Still the #1 band in the SWAC hands down.

JSU had the better show and sound in my opinion. A&T Media team manipulate and edit their band sounds to make their band sound to appear "fuller" than what they really are (there's no need to deny it it's well noticable in all y'all's videos lol). I'm curious to know how ESPN judges were judging this as well because it's fishy they had to wait until the next day to announce the winner when they could have did it at the event. JSU had the better majorettes but A&T had the better flags 🤷🏿‍♂️

A&T manipulated there video audio. If anyone actually watched the live battle on ESPN + they did not sound like that. It’s sound edited compared to how they sounded live on espn +

JSU is good but loud loud for no reason. That's just how they play amd some people love it, but musically NCAT had a better balanced sound. I have no allegiance to either band and love all HBCU bands

NCAT simply had the better show than Jackson! From auxiliary to percussion on down. They are a fieldshow band hands down! And when it comes to a adjudicated panel. They know exactly how to come prepared!!!! Just try better next time JSU! It's not the end of the world!

Looks like the Public decided!! JSU for the win!!! Forget what the Judges say...

So let’s state the obvious : how did NCAT become in the top 5 for band of the year ? How did JSU be top 5 for band of the year ? If NCAT made the list for their field shows and Thee BOOM made it because of their complete dominance , musicality , arrangements and book then why put the two for a field show competition ? Lol you could chose FAMU or someone ? This event was in favor or field shows . To be totally honest musically NCAT shouldn’t even been in top 5 . Everyone know the best bands are in the SWAC and this was an attempt to discredit that because bands like NCAT gets no love

NCAT came and did what they normally do on the field. They have the best fieldshows. Plus when you add Golden Delight. It's a losing battle. Especially when they paint a picture throughout their show! JSU had a good show. But unfortunately, they can't compete with NCAT on the field. Particularly in a judged competition. Stands is a whole different story!

NC A&T just sound better, they had a better performance but jsu was good to

Just a Heads up everybody John Grant the director of the ESPN battle of the bands is graduate of Nca&t

Bruh who you are speaking of,got blew out,and you're right Thee Sonic Boom,and since you favor A&T........ Check out the 5th quarter

Yea they took this from jsu 🤦🏽‍♂️

THE LARGEST HBCU IN THE LAND, IS THE INAUGURAL ESPN BAND OF THE YEAR 🐶 #AggiePride

JSU by far was better

JSU is the better band. You pointed out JSU's mistakes but overlooked NCAT, had entire body to fall. But okay.

I do not agree with the outcome of the ESPN BOTB. Virginia State had a much better show than FMU, and do not get me wrong because I have kept up with FMU. I have always thought they were a hidden jewel way down in South Florida, but Virginia State was much better. Now, for JSU and NC A&T, I am baffled at the judges decision. I accept it, but it was not right. The precision that JSU did and their sound quality was off the chart. NC A&T could never accomplish those two giant pin wheels. And, I mean never, but patterns in motion are characteristic of SWAC bands. Of course pageantry won the day with all the flags, which have nothing to do with musicianship or precision drilling featuring patterns in motion, which is something mesmerizing to east coast viewers , as one east coast pod caster stated. Will JSU feel the need to invest in a flag component in the future. I do not know, but I doubt it. Maybe, they could incorporate them in the ballad section of the half time show. Jackson State nor Southern University incorporate flags into their half time shows. We will see. Being fair as I like to be at all times, I was terribly disappointed with the J-5 drum majors for being out of uniform for a major competition on national T.V. Guys it was a major competition, not a SWAC halftime show. Remember that next time. I realize you desire to be creative, but your black suits with shirt tails coming out was sloppy.

JSU balance is better and more powerful. ncat media team deserves a Grammy because they doing Gods work cleaning up that mid ass sound they have

JSU tired to be SU when they should have been themselves that's why they lost .