The City of Liverpool Tattoo bring spectacular show to Echo Arena

Echo Arena will be awash with colour and pageantry this weekend on a scale not witnessed in Liverpool ever before as The City of Liverpool Tattoo marches into town.

Some of the world’s most celebrated military and civilian marching bands, award-winning Irish and highland dancers, famous international flag wavers and acrobatic unicyclists will make up the diverse cast of this rousing cultural music and dance showcase.

Fresh from its award-winning Belfast edition which received rave reviews last weekend, final rehearsals have been taking place all this week at Echo Arena in preparation for three shows across Friday and Saturday night and a matinée on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re very excited for our first foray into Liverpool,” said Event Producer, Colin Wasson. “In the year when Liverpool celebrates the tenth anniversary of being European City of Culture, it feels like a fitting time to bring this spectacle to Liverpool. 

“Anyone who hasn’t witnessed a Tattoo before will be struck by the sheer size and scale of the event. The music and atmosphere are electric and the effect of hundreds of musical instruments playing emotive music simultaneously, is powerful. Few fails to be moved by the Tattoo experience.”

And it’s a star-studded cast, from those participating, to those directing the event.

Artane band from Dublin has performed for every President and Taoiseach of Ireland, three Presidents of the United States, three Kings and Queens of the UK, and starred in a music video with U2.

Dance troupe Innova, famed for adding a modern twist to Irish dancing, will be familiar to many having reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Series 8. A cast of 50 dancers will perform at the City of Liverpool Tattoo.

The recent brass addition to the line-up – the Band of the Kings Division – are well-known for their renditions of popular music, most notably, the Game of Thrones theme music, among traditional tuneage.

The event is packed full of international flavours, including brass band Fanfarekorps der Genie from the Netherlands and the Historical Flag Wavers of Contrada Di Cori from Italy. Scottish highland dancers will also give a display and the Juliana Bicycle Group will travel to Liverpool, also from the Netherlands, to perform. The highlight of Juliana’s display is a 6-metre high pyramid formation using 9 unicycles!

One of the most anticipated aspects of the Tattoo is the finale. The powerful combined performance of all Tattoo artistes will be led by three-times world champion Senior Drum Major Brian Wilson MBE, pipe major David Ogilvie (lone piper at the Edinburgh Tattoo, Glasgow Tattoo and Belfast Tattoo), and lead drummer Alan Craig, who leads the current world champion Drum Corps of Liverpool and Clyde Pipe Band. Also present will be current World Champion Drum Major Emma Barr. 

Find out more by visiting the website here.