Now that the 2018 Drum Corps International Tour schedule has been officially released (along with DCI's new website), we can leave the drought that is the "DCI offseason" behind and start getting hyped up for the next summer! Check out these three standouts we noticed from the schedule!

1. Drum Corps Descends On Detroit

After a $100-million renovation, Ford Field will play host to six of last year's 12 finalists from the DCI World Championships and bring in the new season with some excitement! On June 21, we will get our first look at some of the best drum and bugle corps of the country as they debut their productions and receive their first scores in the 2018 DCI Tour Premiere presented by DeMoulin Bros. and Co.

Be on the lookout all winter long for any show releases, news, and announcements on FloMarching! As always, this event will make its way into movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. If you can't make it up to Michigan, this is a great alternative to watch the Tour Premeire — featuring comfy seats and a night out to your local theater!

Performing corps: Boston Crusaders, Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, The Cavaliers, and Blue Stars

2. West Coast, Best Coast?

While a number of the top corps meet in Detroit, the West Coast corps will be joined by one East Coast powerhouse, The Cadets. Also joining the California corps in June is Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from Casper, WY, who will be looking to improve upon their 17th-place finish at the end of the 2017 season. 

On June 22, only one day after the Tour Premiere in Detroit, MI, the reigning world champion Blue Devils and reigning silver medalist Santa Clara Vanguard will perform their 2018 productions at the MidCal Champions Showcase in Clovis, CA. You can also catch Blue Knights, Mandarins (coming off of one of their strongest finishes in recent history, placing 13th in 2017), and even Vanguard Cadets, last year's Open Class champions.

3. DCI Midwestern Heads To MO!

For the first time in a while, the 2018 Drum Corps International is making a stop in St. Louis — and in a very big way! Returning back to the schedule for 2018 is the DCI Midwestern Championship, which has most recently been held at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. DCI Minnesota will still take place the week before the Midwestern Championship, but it will have a much smaller lineup than we're used to seeing, with only eight World Class corps scheduled to attend.

The 2018 DCI Midwestern Championship presented by DeMoulin Bros. and Co. in St. Louis will host 16 World Class corps and three Open Class corps such as Colt Cadets, Shadow, and River City Rhythm! The show is scheduled to be in the The Dome at America's Center — just one more dome to catch some incredible marching and music without the interference of weather!

Performing Corps: Bluecoats, Blue Devils, Blue Stars, Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, Colt Cadets, Colts, Crossmen, Genesis, Jersey Surf, Legends, Madison Scouts, Mandarins, Music City, Phantom Regiment, Pioneer, River City Rhythm, Shadow, Spirit of Atlanta, and The Cavaliers