2025 World Figure Skating Championships Rhythm Dance

[Seven Sisters]

As per technical committee meeting, posted on twitter by adivinesport:


"Main genres of 1990s music: 1) Hip-hop & street dance, 2) Rave & house dance, 3) Pop & commercial dance, 4) Grunge & alternative rock"


"Any music is allowed as long as it was originally released in the 90s. Remixed/remastered music is allowed."

"The 90s dances should be "high energy and crowd-pleasing" and not like a free dance"

Cue up about a billion Backstreet Boys/Spice Girls programs

“Losing my Religion” might be fun though

 

[hereforthevibes]

As per technical committee meeting, posted on twitter by adivinesport:


"Main genres of 1990s music: 1) Hip-hop & street dance, 2) Rave & house dance, 3) Pop & commercial dance, 4) Grunge & alternative rock"


"Any music is allowed as long as it was originally released in the 90s. Remixed/remastered music is allowed."

"The 90s dances should be "high energy and crowd-pleasing" and not like a free dance"

I hate this so much

What do they even mean "not like a free dance?" A free dance, by definition is FREE. It can be anything. They're basically saying they want both the RD and FD to remain a certain aesthetic.

My opinion is that this quad is only an illusion of choice. Yes, decade themes seem broad on paper, but just look at this nonsense! Any music is allowed but you list four genres? Do you think that coaches or teams that aren't in power are going to choose anything outside the ISU's "suggestions"?

On to the actual event. G/F's pride? Stubborness? Is going to cost them a home medal. I can understand why some think F/G aren't medalist material, but at least they're willing to adapt from feedback. The rest of top five is the same old so I have no comment.
EDIT: spelling/grammar correction. Typing on a phone is hard

 

[Seven Sisters]

I kind of love the “not like a free dance” comment too. Does that mean that Fear & Gibson CANNOT do another disco/club themed FD?

 

[skatesofgold]

As per technical committee meeting, posted on twitter by adivinesport:


"Main genres of 1990s music: 1) Hip-hop & street dance, 2) Rave & house dance, 3) Pop & commercial dance, 4) Grunge & alternative rock"


"Any music is allowed as long as it was originally released in the 90s. Remixed/remastered music is allowed."

"The 90s dances should be "high energy and crowd-pleasing" and not like a free dance"

I want lots of self-titled era *NSYNC programs since No Strings Attached is unfortunately 2000. Bring on Tearin' Up My Heart and I Want You Back.

 

[Diana Delafield]

As per technical committee meeting, posted on twitter by adivinesport:


"Main genres of 1990s music: 1) Hip-hop & street dance, 2) Rave & house dance, 3) Pop & commercial dance, 4) Grunge & alternative rock"


"Any music is allowed as long as it was originally released in the 90s. Remixed/remastered music is allowed."

"The 90s dances should be "high energy and crowd-pleasing" and not like a free dance"

That's me turned off and turning off during the RD events, then. Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh.

 

[chepe]

onfg. What rhythm do hip hop and Grunge have in common? Right, no rhythm. Time to call it "randomly themed dance".

Nirvana for RD? ugh...

On the other hand, if a team does 'Happy Nation' dressed up as Rogue and Gambit, that's million billion points from me.
Yeah I'm a geek...

 

[Mathman]

That's me turned off and turning off during the RD events, then. Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh.

You don't like Grunge? But Seattle is right down the road from you!

If this is successful, maybe figure skating will become known as the grungy sport.

 

[chepe]

I kind of love the “not like a free dance” comment too. Does that mean that Fear & Gibson CANNOT do another disco/club themed FD?

I kinda wonder if they were subtly punished for it in this years Euros?

 

[TallyT]

That's me turned off and turning off during the RD events, then. Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh.

I wouldn't worry too much, you can mute the sound (like I did a LOT this year) and it makes little difference, the skaters were ignoring the themes anyway, and they will next year.

 

[TontoK]

I wouldn't worry too much, you can mute the sound (like I did a LOT this year) and it makes little difference, the skaters were ignoring the themes anyway, and they will next year.

My alltime favorite theme was "street dance" which apparently meant any dance that could be performed out of doors.

I'm sure "house dance" will be interpreted as any style of dance that you can perform inside your home.

 

[chepe]

My opinion is that this quad is only an illusion of choice. Yes, decade themes seem broad on paper, but just look at this nonsense! Any music is allowed but you list four genres? Do you think that coaches or teams that aren't in power are going to choose anything outside the ISU's "suggestions"?

I suspect that some folks will think "it's nineties music so lets do 'Nothing Else Matters'".

 

[FSFan1999]

I hate this so much

What do they even mean "not like a free dance?" A free dance, by definition is FREE. It can be anything. They're basically saying they want both the RD and FD to remain a certain aesthetic.

My opinion is that this quad is only an illusion of choice. Yes, decade themes seem broad on paper, but just look at this nonsense! Any music is allowed but you list four genres? Do you think that coaches or teams that aren't in power are going to choose anything outside the ISU's "suggestions"?

On to the actual event. G/F's pride? Stubborness? Is going to cost them a home medal. I can understand why some think F/G aren't medalist material, but at least they're willing to adapt from feedback. The rest of top five is the same old so I have no comment.
EDIT: spelling/grammar correction. Typing on a phone is hard

Coaches who don't have power will probably play it safe and not take risks. The main thing though for me, is that the ISU produces the documents to justify the music choice, and likes to have evidence that they researched the theme extensively (even though they probably plopped it together last minute for the powerpoint). It's not something I think most judges focus on.

G/F lost the medal due to RD twizzle mistakes (and of course generally lower levels). They did make huge changes to the FD throughout the season, but returning to last seasons program probably would have helped (and changing the last piece in the RD music mix). The problem is, every judge gives different feedback, and after europeans they probably felt confident their material was enough for a medal at worlds. Next season, they will probably return to their classical style. As for 90s, I will be curious how every team will "problem solve" the theme. I think for older skaters (like GF, CB, PP), avoiding hip hop and also alternative music for GF would be my strong suggestion.

For FD, I expect Chock/Bates to keep in the themes of the last couple years. But what I would love them to do is one of their quirky programs that used to be their trademark.

Guignard/Fabbri maybe italian opera? Or something that will resonate with the Home crowd with a build to the end.

Piper/Paul probably a storytelling program, maybe though less unique and easy to understand for crowd and judges.

Fear/Gibson I think maybe they are one of the few teams right now who'd get away with an element of hip hop. Or the French team maybe hip hop...

 

[lauravvv]

For FD, I expect Chock/Bates to keep in the themes of the last couple years. But what I would love them to do is one of their quirky programs that used to be their trademark.

Quirky wasn't C/B's trademark for most of their competitive career. They only started doing that kind of FDs after they relocated to the IAM training camp, or, to be more precise, starting with season 2019/2020. Also, what do you mean by the themes of the last couple years? Their last season (2023/2024) Pink Floyd FD was very much in that "quirky" vein. I doubt that they are going to repeat this season's jazzy style.