Half-price tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo preview show at 9.30pm on Thursday 1st August go on sale at 10am this morning (Monday 24 June).
The performance of this year’s Tattoo show, Journeys, will follow the same programme as the rest of the August run, except that media photographers will be among the 800 performers on Edinburgh Castle esplanade gathering images and footage.
This year’s show, running from 2nd to 24th August, is the third that seeks to build on a creative recipe called "Performance in a New Light", under Creative Director Michael Braithwaite, that has introduced more costume, projection, lighting, and music innovations to the traditional Tattoo formula.
This year, for example, His Majesty’s Royal Marines Band will be performing 29-year-old Nathan Evans viral sea shanty Wellerman, alongside some traditional navy tunes and sea shanties. Evans called it "an incredible honour…a real pinch-me moment”.
Line-up for the Tattoo 2024 show Journeys
“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,” said Creative director Michael Braithwaite of this year's show.
“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”.
The Tattoo 2024’s lead service is the Royal Navy, and we are told the show will be "paying homage to the seafarers that brave the ocean to travel across continents bringing people and cultures together".
The military will also play a prominent role, 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.
The Massed Pipes and Drums are always an essential part of the Tattoo with a host of military musicians taking to Edinburgh Castle's ancient parade ground: 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.
The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes from the USA will transform the Castle Esplanade combining old-school, American dream thoughts with a contemporary twist.
The United States Navy Ceremonial Guard, from Washington DC, are sure to impress with an authentic silent Naval drill and weapon-handling performance, often seen on Presidential occasions.
From the East, Teamwork Arts India will showcase The Indian Rajasthani Bagpiper, The Bhangra Queens, and the Bollywood Ensemble, followed by the Majesticks Drum Corps who will be showing off Swiss precision in a display of light, fire, and drill.
The United States Sea Service Band then brings together three US Maritime bands to celebrate US music and its influence with a repertoire of jazz and pop numbers.
The Tattoo Performers will then return to the stage with a performance of Electro Pipes to pay tribute to the traditions of the host nation, whilst blasting into the 21st century with an "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 always impressive grand finale.
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 for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024 can be purchased online or on the phone +44(0)131 225 1188. Preview show prices range from £20 to £110.
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.