For the first time, a spectacular City of Liverpool Tattoo is being held this September at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. As part of the city’s ten-year Capital of Culture celebrations, the captivating two-hour show promises everything from bicycle acrobatics and pyrotechnic-style flag waving, to traditional dance, national and international band performances.
When most people think about Tattoo performances, they cast their minds to Edinburgh’s Royal Military Tattoo which has taken place annually for the last fifty years. The practice grew from Dutch origins, where drummers were sent out into the town at half past nine each evening to inform soldiers to return to the barracks, the process becoming known as doe den tap toe, Dutch for ‘turn off the tap’. The term ‘military tattoo’ originally meant a military drum performance, however has since evolved into a more elaborate display of theatrics and musical displays over the years as seen in the renowned performance held on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle.
The City of Liverpool Tattoo offers a platform for bands from the local area to appear on an international stage, where they will perform alongside a fusion of over 600 acts and artistes, all with their own unique story to tell.
The spectacle will feature the highly anticipated sound of Massed Pipes and Drums, a powerful performance led by Senior Drum Major Brian Wilson MBE, David Ogilvie (lone piper at the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast Tattoo), and lead drummer Alan Craig, who leads the current world champion Drum Corps of Liverpool and Clyde Pipe Band.
Packed with national and international talent, the line-up is also set to showcase The Band of the King’s Division, Pride of Ballinran Flute Band, Lume De Biquera, The Artane Band, Innova Irish Dance Company, Fanfarekorps der Genie, Imperial Corps of Drums, Highland Dancers, and many more outstanding acts.
Liverpool’s strong bond with both Belfast and Glasgow has drawn the unique event into the city, where people from North West England can enjoy this renowned performance with their community.
There will be a total of three performances, with an evening show on Friday 14 September, and two tattoos on Saturday 15 September.