The Glasgow Tattoo 2017

19 January 2017, SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Runs to 21 January 2017

Belfast Tattoo Limited are delighted to announce that Glasgow will host its very own Tattoo event at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th & Saturday 21st January 2017.

The SSE Hydro            Tel:   0844 3954000      www.thessehydro.com

The Glasgow Tattoo    Tel:   028 90319 319     www.theglasgowtattoo.com

Tickets £45.00 / £40.00 / £35.00 On Sale Next Thursday 28th April 2016

This historic event will showcase some of the finest musicians and dancers from Scotland, Ulster, and across Europe, in a three hour show.   The Glasgow Tattoo will allow the bands and performers to showcase their talents for the first time on a large scale in an indoor Arena.  The net has been cast far and wide to bring together bands and dancers of the highest standard.

The Massed Pipe Band will feature The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band, The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band, Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band, Pride Of Ballinran Flute Band, Blackscull Flute Band, Murley Silver Band, Dungannon Silver Band, Dunloy Accordion Band, Vow Accordion Band, The Artane Band (Dublin), Lume De Biquera Pipe Band (Madrid),  Amigo Leiden Band (Holland), Fascinating Drums (Germany).

In addition, there will be performances from The Glasgow Tattoo Highland Dance Troupe, choreographed by David Wilton, and Innova Irish Dance Troupe, who were semi-finalists in Britain’s Got Talent in 2014.

The Glasgow Tattoo is pleased to confirm that the MC will be Ms Helen Mark. 

Colin Wasson, Producer The Glasgow Tattoo said today “ Given the close and historic cultural heart that beats between Belfast and Glasgow, through its strong ship building links, its sporting links and its music and cultural links, we are very proud to be creating an event for Glasgow, which will reflect Glasgow’s proud history and reflect it links with the rest of the world”.

The Glasgow Tattoo will be under the control of current World Champion Adult Drum Major, Brian Wilson MBE, Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band, who has held the title twice previously.  He has travelled extensively all over the world to compete in major Championships and Tattoos which include America, South Africa, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, and Australia.  His other titles include Ulster, All-Ireland, Cowal, European, Scottish, British, American and Australian titles.  He currently runs his own school of drumming in Armagh.  The highlight of Brian’s career was receiving his MBE Award from Prince Charles in 2013.

PIPE BANDS

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band

The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band

Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band

 

FLUTE BANDS

Pride Of Ballinran Flute Band

Black Skull Fife and Drum Band

 

SILVER BANDS

Murley Silver Band

Dungannon Silver Band

 

ACCORDION BANDS

Dunloy Accordion Band

Vow Accordion Band

 

OVERSEAS GUEST BANDS

Lume De Biquera Pipe Band - Madrid

Fascinating Drums - Germany

Artane Band - Dublin

 

DANCE TROUPES

The Glasgow Tattoo Highland Dancers - Choreographed By David Wilton

Innova Irish Dance Troupe - Semi-Finallists in Britain’s Got Talent (2014)

 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was established on the 1^st of  April 2013 and It replaced the eight previous fire and rescue authorities and joint fire and rescue boards.

The main purpose of the SFRS is to work in partnership with communities and with others in the public, private and third sectors on prevention, protection and response to improve the safety and wellbeing of people throughout Scotland.

The SFRS Pipe Band plays a major part in promoting the Service all over Scotland from their base at the West Service Delivery Headquarters in Hamilton.

We have a competing Grade 2 Band and a Novice Juvenile band which between them represent the SFRS at many ceremonial and social functions throughout the year.

The Grade 2 Band competes at all the Major Pipe Band Championships and are led by Pipe Major Alistair McLaughlan and Leading Drummer James Brown

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Pipe Band are delighted to be involved with The Glasgow Tattoo 2017. Over the years the band has played at many functions, all over the world but are especially looking forward to playing in-front of a hometown Glasgow audience. Led by Pipe Major Ally McLaughlan &  Drum Sgt James Brown SFRS Pipe Band are looking forward to working collaboratively with the other quality bands taking part in the event. 

Talking of the event Ally remarked, “This will be a huge, massive occasion and one which not only the SFRS Pipe Band are thrilled to be part of but playing along with the other bands involved, many of whom are friends, will be a unique experience.  It is being held in an iconic world renowned venue and having played all over the world, The Pipe Band are proud to represent the Fire Service & are grateful to have this opportunity to give Fire Service Personnel across Scotland an opportunity to hear and see the band first hand. “

The band play in the Grade 2 event, are based at the SFRS West Delivery HQ at Hamilton and comprises over 40 members.

 

The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band

The band was formed in 1968 and nearly 50 years on is still going strong and is currently competing in Grade 2.

The band is very passionate and proud of their long standing connection with Glasgow and the Glasgow Skye Association one of the last and oldest highland associations still in existence.

The band wear the distinctive MacLeod of Skeabost tartan and as such is one of the smartest and most recognisable bands in the pipe band circuit.

Led by Pipe Major Ewan Henderson and Leading Drummer Arthur Cook the band draws members from across the central belt of Scotland.

The band also has successfully run what has become known to many as “the pre worlds concert” in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Every year for the last 21 years the band has invited top bands from all over the world to come and perform a concert on the Wednesday prior to the World Pipe Band Championships which are held in Glasgow.

 

Lomond and Clyde Pipe Band

David Wilton is the current pipe major of the band and in charge of the bands performance. The responsibilities include, music, tuning, management of the players and making sure the band is progressing each week. I have a great support team with me making sure all other aspects run smoothly. This includes members looking after the bands kit, travel and financial arrangements so that we can use our time productively at rehearsals. The band has been making great strides forward for the competing season and are very much looking forward to working with the Glasgow Tattoo next year.

 

Pride Of Ballinran Flute Band

Ballinran is a small town-land outside Kilkeel, County Down, at the foothills of The Mournes, providing one of the most beautiful backdrops to produce great music.  Classed as a Melody Flute Band, as well as playing straight melody on Bb flutes, they also add parts and an Eb piccolo to achieve a more musical sound.  The Band have one of the strongest and most noted Drum Corps in Northern Ireland today.  The band are one of the most sought after bands for parades and for display events across Northern Ireland.  Ballinran represented Northern Ireland in The Lord Mayor’s Show in the City Of London, in November 2015.  2015 marked the 800th anniversary of the Office Of The Lord Mayor of London, and Stephen Chapman was the Drum Major in Charge of Ballinran Flute Band.

 

Black Skull Fife & Drum Band

Black Skull Fife and Drum Band was formed 30 years ago in Glasgow with the aim of taking young people from the housing estates of Glasgow and giving them the opportunity to learn to read music, obtain a level of discipline and respect for people and community.

The Band has gone on to become one of the premier marching bands in the United Kingdom, appearing at events in London, Northern Ireland and across Scotland, working tirelessly to promote and donate to charitable causes across the region.

 

Murley Silver Band

Murley Silver Band are the current North of Ireland Champion Band and 2014 Valley Hotel Brass in Concert Champions. The band have previously represented Northern Ireland at the European Championships in Norway (2008) and Belgium (2009).

Being the premier brass band in Ireland, Murley also presented a stunning marching display at the Belfast Tattoo, playing to over 12,000 people at the Odyssey Arena in September 2014. We were delighted once again to work in partnership with our friends from Dungannon Silver Band.

The band from Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has around 30 subscription amateurs, who all share the same passion - making music. The resident conductor is William Hill and assistant conductor is Stephen Crooks.

 

Dungannon Silver Band

The band was formed in 1902, out of the local Conservative Flute Band, and in its early years, was known as Dungannon Brass & Reed Band, due to the addition of some available woodwind instruments.  It was out of action during the two Great Wars.  During WW1 when volunteers went off to join the Ulster Division, the band played the 260 strong contingents to the local railway station, where they discovered that only five members remained, and the instruments having to be stored until their return.

The band reformed after VE Day in 1945, taking part in the VJ Celebrations of that year.  During the following years, the size of the band increased under the baton of their longest serving conductor, Mr Sidney Bleakley (1947-2000). 

Today the band is one big family of dedicated musicians, taking pleasure in enjoyment of music, but also as a service, giving back into the community, helping to retain our culture and identity.  The band takes part in numerous community based events, youth, Church, other commemorative parades and play Summer Sunday concerts at public parks across Northern Ireland.  The band also boasts a vocal ‘choir’ within their ranks that compliments their already impressive talents.  they perform from an eclectic breadth and depth of repertoire and continue to give delight to all who hear them.

 

Dunloy Accordion Band

Located 6 miles south of Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland is the village of Dunloy, the home of Dunloy Accordion Band. The band has been in existence since 1956 when it was formed from a previously existing flute band.

From an original membership of local families the band now draws members from the whole of Northern Ireland. While the membership has changed over the years the ethos of the band remains the same. That is, to promote accordion music in all its forms, to provide a forum where members can develop and expand their own enjoyment of accordion marching bands, and to uphold the traditions of our culture.

In 2006, Dunloy Accordion Band celebrated its 50th Anniversary.  The past 50 years have seen many difficulties overcome, and many changes take place, both within the band and the village of Dunloy.  The band has consistently maintained the core values of its ethos with pride and passion and is determined that these values will continue over the years ahead.

 

Vow Accordion Band 

Vow is a small townland between Ballymoney and Rasharkin in Co Antrim. The band was formed in 1948, under its current leader, June Clyde, the band has focussed on attracting young people to take up the instrument and performing at local events associated with the UlsterScots tradition and culture.

Lume De Biqueira Pipe Band (Madrid)

The Galician Centro Of Madrid saw the birth of Lume De Biqueira Pipe band in 1998.  A small group of bagpipers and percussionists set the foundations of what has today become one of the most solid performing bands and schools in Spain, in terms of quality and numbers of performances, and the range and originality of its repertoire.  They have performed with The Chieftains, and several TV appearances including a tribute to Spanish singer Julie Iglesias.  Throughout their career they have participated in the prestigious National League Galician Bagpipes Competition and year after year they have claimed the title, ‘Champion Of The League’.

 

Fasciating Drums (Germany)

The Group, now in its ninth year, hail from the Westphalia and Lippstadt area of Germany and have quickly gathered a reputation for their spectacular show throughout Europe and beyond.

Their show uses drum techniques from Germany, Scotland and Switzerland along with marching choreography and visual effects from the American Drum Corps movement.

Using unique lighting, pyrotechnics and acrobatics, this show will leave the audience breathless in their appreciation of drumming.

No Tattoo would be complete withe Highland Dancing and The Glasgow Tattoo will be no different, with Irish Dancing to complement their performance.

 

The Artane Band (Dublin)

The Artane Band are the ‘Jewel In The Crown’ of the Artane School Of Music.

The band have been in existence since 1872, and to date, have played for every President and Taoiseach Of Ireland, three Presidents of The United States, three Kings and Queens of The United Kingdom, as well as many other Heads Of State, in their long history.  They have a unique and long- standing relationship with the GAA and are a well-known feature of All- Ireland Sundays. 

 

The Artane Band are perhaps best known for their appearances at Croke Park, but are now equally well-known as concert and ensemble players of the highest regard.  The Artane School Of Music takes great pride in the development of the skills, knowledge and technical ability required to reach the highest level of performance achievable by their young students.  The Artane Band perform at an average of sixty events each year, the length and breadth of the country - from GAA Club openings or anniversaries, to provincial finals, invitations to festivals and rock concerts

 

The Glasgow Tattoo Highland Dance Troupe - Choreographer David Wilton

“I am extremely excited to be taking on the role of Highland Dance Choreographer for The Glasgow Tattoo.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for the dancers performing at such a prestigious venue in a well established and successful show. I am looking forward to working with everyone to make this the best show yet!”

 

Innova Dance Company

Formed in March 2013, Innova Dance Company quickly rose to fame after reaching the live semi-final stage of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2014.  Both the judges and public were wowed  by Innova’s unique take on Irish Dancing, which puts a modern twist on the traditional art-form.  Based in Portstewart, on Northern Ireland’s North Coast, the company has over 120 dancers, aged between 3 and 25, including many national and local champions.  Innova will add their appearance at The Glasgow Tattoo to an impressive catalogue of past and future events in the UK and Ireland, and tours in Europe and The Middle East.  A cast of 50 will perform at The Glasgow Tattoo.

 

Helen Mark - Compere

Helen’s career in media began with a move to Northern Ireland in 1981, after graduating from the Royal Sottish Academy, Glasgow, and a spell of teaching in Edinburgh.  Helen got a job in BBC Radio Foyle, launching their morning news and current affairs schedule.  Helen moved into television and has a long list of well-known programmes to her name, including Greenfingers, Countryfile, Farming Today, Open Country and The Family Show.

 

The Glasgow Tattoo is presented In Association with The Herlad, Wallace Bagpipes and Ulster Scots Agency, and we are grateful for their support

Tickets On Sale Next Thursday 28th April 2016

The SSE Hydro            Tel:   0844 3954000      www.thessehydro.com

The Glasgow Tattoo    Tel:   028 90319 319     www.theglasgowtattoo.com