Military music Basel Tattoo 2024 features children's choir, Ländler and didgeridoo

The 2024 edition of the Basel Tattoo military music festival will once again push the boundaries of marching music. Among the thousand or so performers from four continents are a children's choir from the USA, a didgeridoo virtuoso from Australia and a Ländler duo from Switzerland.

The US Army Field Band is a master of classical marching music, as became clear on Tuesday during a rehearsal visit to the barracks area in Basel. But it can also sound rocky, as with "Proud Mary", or poppy as the backing band for the 70-strong One Voice Children's Choir from the USA.

Tattoo founder and producer Erik Julliard said that many military music formations are increasingly shedding the military element in their music. This is probably also true of the Swiss Army Forces Brass Band, whose program includes Beethoven's Ninth as well as Ländler music. Or for the Australian Army Band, which includes a didgeridoo virtuoso.

Pipes and drums from all over the world

After 17 years of the Basel Tattoo, the highlights will once again be provided by the special military music that flooded the world from Scotland with pipes and drums. Almost a dozen of these bands from all over the world will provide "goosebump moments" at the Basel Tattoo as a large formation, as Tattoo presenter René Häfliger said.

The Basel Tattoo premieres on Friday and will take place eleven times in the Basel Kaserne arena until July 27. On Saturday, the Basel Tattoo Parade will also parade through the streets of Basel city center.

SDA