BGSU video featuring Falcon Marching Band goes viral, generating 5.3 million views and praise from original creators

A 36-second video featuring the Bowling Green State University Falcon Marching Band dancing to “Storm II” by Gener8ion has generated more than 5.3 million views online and captured the attention of the French producer and director behind the music video for its originality.

The BGSU video – a collaboration between the University’s Office of Marketing and Communications and the Falcon Marching Band – was inspired by the music video for “Storm II,” produced by Surkin, directed by Romain Gavras and featuring Swedish rapper Yung Lean.

The original music video debuted in April and inspired a viral social media trend based on a 30-second segment showing Yung Lean walking up a set of steps as dancers moved around him.

BGSU recreated a 30-second portion of the video, with all 600 members of the Falcon Marching Band, America’s largest college marching band, participating. The band had just 24 hours to learn the choreography before filming.

“The students were thrilled to be part of this project,” said Jon Waters, director of marching and athletic bands. “It was a great collaboration between all 600 members of Falcon Marching Band and our creative social media team. This is part of the continued momentum that is moving Bowling Green from excellence to eminence.”

Within hours of the BGSU video being posted and gaining traction online, Surkin and Gavras reached out through the University’s social media accounts and commended BGSU for its hard work and coordination in recreating the scene with 600 students.

The viral video is now the highest viewed on Bowling Green’s Instagram account, with the University’s social media ranked No. 4 in the nation for Division I universities by Rival IQ. 

“We are so grateful to the BGSU community for its response, as well as for the support of Surkin and Romain Gavras,” said Brianna Blackburn, director of BGSU social media. “It means so much to us that our students were part of a video that got this kind of attention and that it showed the world the talent, dedication and spirit of the Falcon Marching Band. It also is a reflection of Jon Waters' leadership and willingness to embrace creative ideas that put our students front and center.”

Surkin and Gavras were particularly focused on the University creating the video without the use of AI, after AI-generated recreations of that same portion began circulating online.

“After tens of thousands of AI covers of the music video, and thousands of people recreating it in their own very human ways, sometimes in genuinely touching ways, this is by far the most impressive version we’ve seen in terms of scale,” Surkin said. “Huge congratulations to everyone involved. What you’ve pulled off is truly incredible.”

Gavras agreed, saying, “Best one I’ve ever seen. Brought joy to my European heart that it was not AI slop. Moved us to see so many humans do the video.”

Since it was posted on Friday, Oct. 23, the BGSU version has been shared across major social media platforms, generating hundreds of thousands of comments and a growing number of views.

“The response has been overwhelming, and seeing the impact and reach this video has had is very exciting," said Justin Camuso-Stall ‘14, BGSU associate director of visual content. "What I love most about it is how it puts a spotlight on our students in the marching band and celebrates their stories.” 

Mirroring the viral portion of the original “Storm II” video, the BGSU version begins with a close-up of a drum major wearing a hat adorned with a white feather. As he moves into position, he slowly turns to face the camera.

Around him, fellow band members wearing hats with orange feathers begin dancing in unison while he remains stoic at the center of the scene.

Bailey Weaver ‘25, a social media strategist and former BGSU cheerleader, led the choreography for the video, blending moves from the original “Storm II” video with those the band uses in their performances. Ben Boutwell ‘24, video producer in the BGSU Office of Marketing and Communications, flew the drone, capturing the footage with no reshoots required. 

The viral video adds to a historic year for the Falcon Marching Band. In addition to becoming America’s largest college marching band, the band was selected to perform in the iconic Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

With 600 members, the Falcon Marching Band will make history as the largest band ever to perform in the Rose Parade.