Bands out in force for Birmingham Tattoo at NIA
Nov 30 2009 by Kat Keogh, Birmingham Mail
MORE than 1,000 performers lined up in Birmingham to ensure the city’s annual Tattoo went with a bang.
With military precision performers from across the globe gathered to entertain an estimated 18,000 spectators at the NIA.
Organisers hailed the 21st annual show as “the best year yet” as service men and women from conflicts past and present were honoured in two three-hour shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Highlights included performances by the band of the US army, the band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Central Band of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards – famous for performing the theme to the TV hit Dad’s Army and which signed a £1 million record deal in June – took to the floor ahead of release of their new album Heroes, which hits the shops today.
Birmingham Tattoo spokesman Ian Collins said: “The event has probably been the best in its 21-year history.”
It is hoped that the Tattoo will have raised around £10,000 for charity, including the Star and Garter home for ex-service men and women in Solihull.
This year’s event, which fell on the 70th anniversary of the start of World War Two, featured massed bands, lone piper and a gathering of more than 100 standard-bearers.
Members of the RAF, Royal Navy and Army also joined in the pageantry as they battled it out in the field gun competition.
Tickets for the 2010 Birmingham Tattoo, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, are on sale now. For more information see www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk.
