The Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced the full line-up of performers for its 2023 show Stories. This year’s show builds on the creative innovations that new Tattoo Creative Director Michael Braithwaite introduced with last year’s show Voices (see video above). The show mixed up the traditional with modern - military marching music, pipes and drums blended into contemporary music and dance genres such as rave, rock, Latin, and Celtic. (Read EG's review).
Among the 800 performers regaling Tattoo crowds in August will be outfits from Norway, The United States, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Switzerland, alongside homegrown acts from across the UK and Ireland.
The lead Service in 2023 is the Royal Air Force. Fittingly, the United States Air Force Band makes its Castle Esplanade debut with a freestyle musical set depicting America’s great songbook. Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra will bring a dose of Caribbean warmth, with a set that includes limbo and fire dance.
As before, the Massed Pipes and Drums, supported by the large contingent of Tattoo Dancers and Fiddlers, will be a vital part of the show.
Among additions to this year's programme comes, from England, the King’s Colour Squadron, featuring familiar soundscapes from the world of gaming and precision drill. The Swiss Armed Forces Central Band will be presenting an “exhilarating” drum corps talent, and Norway will be sending His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team to impress the crowds with the story of the life of their Regiment.
Electro Pipes will be rocking their bags again this year, with contemporary meeting traditional when Tattoo performers combine EDM, electric instruments, lighting, and projection.
Michael Braithwaite, the Creative Director of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “Stories is the next chapter in the modern era of the Tattoo, packed with the latest in cutting-edge technology, whilst combining the tradition and precision the Show is known for and loved. It will be a truly memorable event and we are thrilled to be returning to Edinburgh Castle once more.”
“At its heart, Stories celebrates the journey of individuals from many diverse backgrounds, and unity through common experiences.”
Buster Howes, the Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Tattoo is distinctive, iconic, and gleeful. It has mass, momentum and energy, and Stories will have all these qualities as well as being whimsical, exhilarating, and surprising."
Innis & Gunn will once again be offering a bar service (with pre-orders) at the Tattoo which runs 4-26 August 2023.
As in 2022, tickets for 2024’s show Journeys will go on sale in August during Stories.
The full line-up for 2023 includes:
- The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland
- The Central Band of the Royal Air Force
- The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment
- The Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra
- Royal Air Force Bands
- 1st Battalion The Irish Guards Drums and Pipes
- The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion
- The Royal Regiment of Scotland
- The Pipes and Drums of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
- Combined Scottish Universities Officers’ Training Corps Pipes and Drums
- Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums
- The Scots College Sydney Pipes and Drums
- The Scots College Sydney Old Boys Pipes and Drums
- The Scots School Albury Pipe Band
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fiddlers
- King’s Colour Squadron Royal Air Force
- The Swiss Armed Forces Central Band
- His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team of Norway
- The United States Air Force Band
- Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra