Can we normalize getting rid of soundtracks at an airshow?

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SalsaForte@reddit

Non-American perspective here. The over the board patriotic show the US teams feels cringe to many.

So, yes, music and cheesy speeches should be toned down. Would make the air shows more enjoyable.

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Azurehue22@reddit

That’s how America is. We were born out of an overload of patriotism and it’s part of our culture.

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This became a thing after 9/11. Before then I remember some airshows would play the national anthem with a flyover at the beginning but after 9/11 most of the large airshows started playing songs like God Bless the USA and Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue. Same thing happened with the national anthem at sporting events. In the past it was mostly played before the teams took the field. Now it's one big Red, White and Blue extravaganza with huge flags, military formations and flyovers. Less patriotic and more nationalist.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

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Azurehue22@reddit

Deleted, sorry

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SalsaForte@reddit

It doesn't translate well in some context. I'm sure American finds over the board patriotic from other country over-the-top. ;)

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Azurehue22@reddit

Oh I love patriotism ngl. Wish I saw more of it around the world.

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SwoopnBuffalo@reddit

American here. There's a difference between Patriotism and Nationalism and our citizens don't understand the difference and how dangerous the 2nd one can be.

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Azurehue22@reddit

Yup. Agree with you.

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Vorpal_sword_60@reddit

Veteran. Jets damaged my hearing...but dammit, I love the sound of radial engines.

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Custom_Craft_Guy2@reddit

Same here (or would it be hear?). —68Bravo

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Smiggles0618@reddit

Most just don't know how to use music to add to the act (like the jet demo teams).

Matt Younkin probably does it best with his night routine. Yeah the Beech 18 sounds amazing on it's own but the soundtrack adds a lot to the overall effect with the lighting.

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nomeansofsupport@reddit

To that I would add announcers that can't shut up!

Give some info about the planes and pilots then let the aircraft do the talking.

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Blackhawk510@reddit

RIAT was fantastic for commentary, until the north American demo jets showed up. The CF18 display was a highlight of the weekend, but the commentator didn't even stop for breath once, and they basically had to have a new song playing for each separate pass.

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imaguitarhero24@reddit

The Chicago show seems to have a good balance with the announcers. I don't remember there being excessive music either. The good thing about Chicago is you can also see it from all over but even if you're by the announcer at north ave beach it's good.

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Chockfullofnutmeg@reddit

I could go without the morning zoo crew

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PurpleCabbageMonkey@reddit

Ugh, we have a guy like that. Usually, he is so busy with a tangent that he misses the display.

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JBN2337C@reddit

Hey, having the Thunderbirds blast over head from behind the crowd, while the perfectly timed AC/DC lyric “YOU’VE BEEN THUNDERSTRUCK” plays, is pretty damn awesome.

You should’ve heard the disco tracks they used in the 70s. Lol

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ObscureSaint@reddit

I saw the total eclipse at an event held at an air museum. Your comment just made me realize the guy who does the airshow coordination was definitely at the controls on eclipse day.

We had a perfect 🎶here comes the sun🎶 by the Beatles cued to come on right as the eclipse pulled back into daylight. It was incredible!

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rcbif@reddit

There was all sorts of meme reminders before the eclipse telling you how to start those songs just right, lol

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EmptyOhNein@reddit (OP)

If timed perfectly I'm sure it's great. Not sure how Rihanna hypes up an f22 doing a low speed pass however.

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rtd131@reddit

If it's the top gun theme or Danger zone I'm fine with it 😂

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enigmaunbound@reddit

Somehow the F18 doesn't scream DANGER ZONE to me.

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ChetSteadman42069@reddit

Rhianna is "america, yeah" music? she must have changed since the last time I heard her.

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MattyS71@reddit

“You dropped tha bomb on me, baby…”

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Itaintall@reddit

The fake explosions can go too.

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pickinscabs@reddit

I agree. Unless it's "Danger Zone" the whole time while the Blue Angels fly.

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echo4thirty@reddit

Or just get new tracks. How many times can we listen to Learning to Fly.

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azbrewcrew@reddit

Probably shouldn’t goto Oshkosh then

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homerdoh4@reddit

There are parts of the flightline where you can barely hear the music/announcers

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SwoopnBuffalo@reddit

The one older announcer at Oshkosh sounds like he's constantly stroking out. Repeating himself, going off tangents, mumbling over his words. Just be quiet man.

The announcer for the micro jet is just as bad.

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Sacharon123@reddit

I mean, Oskosh is a cesspitt for drunken little kings doing Dick showoffs anyway, so naw, thank you...

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BrewCityChaserV2@reddit

I have a recording from Airventure one year of a moment during a WWII bombing run recreation where the PA guy had some self-awareness and basically said 'I"m just going to STFU now along with the music' and all there was were the sounds of the planes and explosions for about 5 minutes straight and it was glorious. I ought to dig that up.

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chupchupchupchuppers@reddit

I don’t think your Reddit post is putting anyone out of work tbh.

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bmccooley@reddit

I'm all for lowering the ear-splitting volume*, but most importantly the speakers should be behind the crowd. I hate having them in my face while trying to watch the actual performers.

*the only ear pain I want is from jet engines.

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Imaginary_Ganache_29@reddit

This. I HATE the speakers in front of the crowd. They block the views and screw up your focus if running auto focus. Put them in the back

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AeroInsightMedia@reddit

This would also get rid of speakers in videos and photos at airshows.

Also having one section without speakers would be awesome.....or put an audio recorder way out at show center then upload it to YouTube or Google drive so people can download it and put it in any videos.

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bdschuler@reddit

If it is part of the act, and is synchronized, etc.. I say keep it. I have loving memories of Matt Younkin and his Twin Beech 18... the music that matched his flight and the announcer's discussion with Matt over the loudspeakers is one of my favorite airshow memories.

That said... I would say 70% of the music could be removed and I would love it. As for the announcer.. I never had a problem with learning the planes history or which direction to look... but I think that is strongly dependent on the announcer. Some are vast better than others.

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Haulnazz15@reddit

Counterpoint: probably 40% of the people attending an airshow don't know anything about aircraft and don't relish in engine sounds. Those people are there with an aviation-loving spouse, or are taking their kids to see the spectacle. Kids don't often love the loud engine noise, either, so the music helps drown it out a bit. I'm not saying it's necessary, but airshows aren't just for aviation nuts. The music often sets the scene for storied warbirds, or whimsical aerobatic runs.

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Richard_Nachos@reddit

You don't get excited when the Blue Angels narrator tells you that the pilots are walking to their aircraft? Standing next to their aircraft? Getting into their aircraft? Checking their aircraft? Taxiing their aircraft?

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WunderStug@reddit

Wings Over Houston has a mix of both, which I like. Their Tora Tora Tora display has no music whatsoever, and it's so badass

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PanDownTiltRight@reddit

THIS.

Most people who are into planes want to hear the planes.

Definitely a case of not knowing who your audience is.

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countable3841@reddit

Audiences these days have TikTok attention spans. Cool planes and the smell of AvGas aren’t enough to keep them engaged

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olizet42@reddit

Give me a Super Connie engine start. That's enough music for my day. 🥰

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LPNTed@reddit

I hate to say it, but they know perfectly well who their audience is. We're the oddballs who actually care about the planes.

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bmccooley@reddit

Yep, the vast majority of the people there are the ones who bring in a camp-ground load of stuff to amuse their kids, pay for loads of over-priced food, hang out on the inflatable slides, and then pack up half-way through the T-birds or Angels. The soundtrack is there to hype up the crowd and keep them spending money

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FoxtownBlues@reddit

it is your civic duty to boo the dj

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Superbead@reddit

You reminded me of way back watching the British Touring Car Championship, stood on an embankment opposite the grid, waiting for the main race to start, we heard Ready To Go by Republica over the PA on repeat for a solid 45 minutes. As it went on, it became increasingly apparent that the first time the tune was played, they had been nowhere near 'ready to go'.

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Kilo_OneFive@reddit

Sadly, I think they're targeting the larger audience of the "general public" so to speak. And what I mean is, a lot of the people there probably don't care enough and aren't THAT much into it. They just want to look at some cool planes and watch a show. Music and annoying announcers add to the excitement for them, especially when it comes to families with kids. Honestly, I think air shows should have a separate day where there isn't any of that extra crap and you can enjoy hearing and seeing aircraft without much interruption.

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aftcg@reddit

Now that would be an eye opening experient

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oxycontin_raised@reddit

Proceeds to play Danger Zone

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Random61504@reddit

Most of the time, I'd agree with OP, but last time I saw an F/A-18 at an airshow, they played Danger Zone during takeoff and the Top Gun Anthem during its taxi and line up. That was cool. Music is fine if the song choice and timing are right.

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GeoDude86@reddit

Why wife was running a 10K yesterday and the “DJ” sang along to EVERY single song. I wanted to CAB…

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Lieutenant_Dan22@reddit

Has anyone been to the Battle Creek airshow, and how is the announcer there?

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Terrible_Log3966@reddit

I've mostly been to U.K. Airshows and it's usually pretty good there imo. When done well it can really add something to a display I think. Norman Greenbaums "Spirit of the sky" will always make me thing of the USAF heritage flight now.

Now the real question is. Create your ideal airshow ( let's say 15 display items) and your soundtrack

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RowAwayJim71@reddit

At the very least, turn it the fuck down.

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SuperFaulty@reddit

Yes please!!! Also the "running commentary" of the announcers!! We all *know* these airplanes and their backstory, no need to tell us! It's particularly irking when the military acrobatics teams bring their own dedicated music & announcer combo... Noooooooooo 😭

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