Belfast International Tattoo 2026: Northern Ireland bands once again punch way above their weight
The Belfast International Tattoo has enjoyed yet another hugely successful weekend - with local Northern Ireland bands proving once again that they are more than worthy to share the stage with the guest international performers, organisers said.
Event Producer Colin Wasson made the observation after three showings of the Tattoo over the weekend - one on Friday night, and a matinee and evening show on Saturday, complete with a Red Arrows flyover.
Once again, the event delivered an unforgettable celebration of military music, dance, and cultural heritage.
Each show attracted about 5000 people and the popularity of the event continues to grow - with initial indications suggesting ticket sales are up by around 10% this year.
Organisers were also awarded membership of the the ‘25 Club’ for having staged 25 shows at the O2 Arena in Belfast – this was number 32 for the Tattoo.
For the first time ever, the Saturday matinee show also attracted 120 people from a cruise ship birthed in Belfast.
"If you look on Facebook, you'll find that over the two days, the feedback from everyone has been excellent," Colin said.
"The whole purpose of staging the Tattoo in the first place was to give local bands an opportunity to perform on a stage with international artists.
"This time we had a wee brass band, Aughnaskeagh Silver Band from near Dromara. And as they put it themselves, they're ‘a wee country band’.
"And there they were just buzzing because of the audience and the lights and the sound, performing their programme in front of all these thousands of people alongside the Norwegian Kings Guard veterans and their drill team.
"So they themselves were blown away and their supporters and followers were just over the moon with them getting the opportunity to appear in the show."
Colin believes the standard of band music in Northern Ireland is exceptional.
"Per head of population, we have more local bands than anywhere else in Europe."
And the standard of those bands?
"Generally, they're very, very high. They've been doing this for generations and, in many respects, a lot of those bands are family bands."
He says NI bands can easily compare with the very best right across Europe.
"In terms of musicality and from a technical point of view, they would be very good."
However, one element they usually have to work hard on is stage presentation - as this is not something they are used to doing.
"So they have to think about their drill. They have to think about how they're going to present themselves."
"A lot of those bands really put their backs into it, with their weekly rehearsals and drills, and they really lean into it."
This year, two accordian bands, Aughafatten Coronation Accordion Band from Broughshane and Desertmartin Accordion Band joined together.
"And they were rented a big warehouse just outside Ballyclare in order to rehearse their drill and to develop the show."
Because the Tattoo works closely with the military, there is usually a military fly-past.
"There was no reason for the Red Arrows to overfly Belfast, but six of them popped up and overflew the opening of the Tattoo. Historically, we've had Typhoons fly-pasts as far back as 2017."
The entire tattoo itself is put together by just three people working for a charity.
"We had to accommodate almost 200 visitors from Norway, Holland, Australia and America who were performing. The arena itself is not a cheap rental, and nor is the big sound and light show."
“Even though we've been going for 13 years one of the challenges we have is getting our message out to a wider public - we're actually one of the best value shows that takes place in the arena. Where our tickets range from £35 up to £45 most big shows in the Arena start at around £60 upwards.”