JOIN THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO IN THE JOY OF ADVENTURE THROUGH JOURNEYS
Performers will travel from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
This August, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will welcome guests from around the world to experience its new Show, Journeys.
Performed on Edinburgh Castle’s iconic Esplanade between the 2 – 24 August, the Show will celebrate the journey of connection through music, dance, culture, and military traditions.
The Show will be the third under the Tattoo’s bold brand proposition, Performance in a New Light, and will follow the successes of the last two years Shows Voices and Stories. Journeys merges the traditional military elements that the Tattoo is known and loved for, with modern touches through creative projection, technology, costume design and music inspirations.
The Castle Esplanade will be filled with over 800 international performers from far and wide to showcase their epic Journey, through vibrant dance, music, visual artistry and so much more. Expressing their unique cultures, this Show will host talents from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and homegrown acts from around the UK. Through an artistic odyssey, expect a wide variety of enthralling action featuring world-leading talent.
With the Royal Navy as lead service, the Show will pay homage to the seafarers that brave the ocean to travel across continents bringing people and cultures together. Discover the finest military talents as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo guides you through a legendary journey.
As ever, the military will play a prominent role in the Tattoo, with the Fanfare kickstarting the Show with a performance of an original composition incorporating elements of the official march of the Royal Navy Heart of Oak imbuing the stage with an air of awe and anticipation. The Tattoo fans will be treated to the rousing sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums including Military Pipe Bands from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1st Battalion Irish Guards Drums and Pipes, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Combined Pipes and Drums of The Royal Tank Regiment and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.
With a global reputation as one of the world’s leading military college bands, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes from the United States will transform the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade combining old school American dream thoughts with contemporary twists before an awe-inspiring moment with the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard take their place. All the way from Washington DC, they will immerse the crowd with an authentic silent Naval drill and weapon handling performance, often performed for Presidential occasions.
With a vibrant burst of energy and colour, Teamwork Arts India will showcase The Indian Rajasthani Bagpiper, The Bhangra Queens, and the Bollywood Ensemble. Majesticks Drum Corps from Switzerland will dazzle the crowd with a gasp-inducing display of light, fire, and precision drill.
From across the United States, the United States Sea Service Band brings together three US Marine bands to celebrate US music and its influence and is a true representation of the symbolic harmony that The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo embrace with the combination of smooth, enriching jazz and lively, energetic pop.
Keeping the Castle Esplanade alive, Tattoo Performers will return to the stage with an electrifying performance of Electro Pipes to pay tribute to the traditions of the host nation, whilst blasting into the 21st century with electrifying instruments, lighting, and projection bonanza.
Completing the journey in Tattoo style, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will take centre stage as The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines perform the National anthem with the grand finale leaving audiences with memories that will last a lifetime.
Michael Braithwaite, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “Journeys seeks to revel in adventure, particularly the many paths that bring our performers to Edinburgh Castle from around the world.
“Journeys is an expression of travel and discovery, the curious nature of humans that have brought us all together and formed the connections that embody the heart and soul of the Tattoo.
“It is through journeys, from military to civilian, that countries and cultures can come together and share their voices and stories through individual traditions and ceremonies”.
Jason Barrett, the Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a world-renowned spectacle and to have a chance to be in the heart of it is truly inspirational.
“The 2024 Show, Journeys, will transport guests on a cultural adventure, uniting our military heritage, Scottish tradition, and an international cast. With the Royal Navy as Lead Service, our show will have a strong maritime theme with performances by exceptionally talented performers representing countries with strong nautical connections.”
The full line-up for 2024 includes: The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1st Battalion Irish Guards Drums and Pipes, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Combined Pipes and Drums of The Royal Tank Regiment and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, The Citadel Pipes and Drums, Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums, Brisbane Boys’ College Pipes and Drums, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipes and Drums, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fiddlers, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, Majesticks Drum Corps, United States Sea Service Band, United States Navy Ceremonial Guard and Teamwork Arts India.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 2-24 August 2024, with Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, offering a bar service at the event.
Like last year, tickets for 2025’s Show celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will go on sale in August during Journeys.
Make sure to check out The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo taking Michael Portillo on a journey of discovery to connect with Edinburgh on The Great British Railway Journeys.
In this 15-part historical travelogue, season 15 of Great British Railway Journeys takes Michael Portillo around post-war Britain and the Britain of his youth. As he visited Capital City, the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade came alive as eighteen talented Tattoo Performers enthralled Portillo with their captivating performance, showcasing traditional Scottish and military heritage.
The first episode, which aired on BBC2 Monday 18th March 18:30, is available on BBC iPlayer and more information can be found on the website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xgqxy. The episode that features the Tattoo will be broadcast on Wednesday 27th March, 18:30.
