Programme
Belfast International Tattoo 2025 – Official Programme
Join us at the SSE Arena, Belfast, for a spectacular showcase of music, precision, and tradition as we bring together world-class performers from across the globe. The Belfast International Tattoo 2025 promises an unforgettable celebration of military music, dance, and cultural heritage like never before.
2025 Performers
Here’s a glimpse of the incredible acts taking to the stage this year:
Tveit Union Musikkorps, Norway
Tveit Union Musikkorps
Tveit Union Musikkorps is a marching band from Kristiansand in Norway. Kristiansand is the biggest city in southern part of Norway and has a population of 110 000 inhabitors.
The musicians are amateurs and are in the range from 16 to 55 years old. The band is active and every year the band makes several appearances for military, public and private organisers. In addition, the band organizes its own concerts. The band does tattoo shows both in and outside of Norway. In 2025, Tveit Union is only visiting one tattoo outside of Norway and that is Belfast Tattoo! On Norway’s national day, May 17th, there is always the premiere of this year’s Tattoo show in the city center of Kristiansand.
Outside of Norway, the band has participated in a number of tattoos such as Berwick Military Tattoo, Berlin Tattoo, Bremen Tattoo, International Taptoe Belgium, Tattoo St. Quentin, France and the Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo in Moscow.
Hunter Moore Memorial Flute Band, Newry
Hunter Moore Memorial Flute Band, Newry
Celebrating it’s 140th anniversary last year, the Hunter Moore Memorial Flute Band was formed in 1884 on the northern outskirts of Newry by a farmer and former soldier, Joseph Ferris. Originally known as Sheepbridge Flute Band the band had fairly humble beginnings holding its weekly practices in a barn on its former founder’s farm. The band moved to its current home on the Belfast Road in Newry in 1908 when highly respected local solicitor, John Hunter Moore, granted them use of a single storey cottage which became known locally as “The Hut”, a name which has stuck with the band and by which it is still referred as today.In 1923 the band changed its name to Hunter Moore Memorial when its benefactor passed away.
The band is a member of the NIBA and FBA and competes at senior level. In addition to contests, the band carries out a range of engagements every year including concerts, church services, charity events and traditional parades. Their members come from all walks of life and range in age from 8 to 82 years old. It currently has five members with over 50 years’ service to the band, several of whom will be performing at this year’s Tattoo.
Having previously taken part in the second Belfast International Tattoo in 2014, the band is very much looking forward to taking part again in this year’s event.
Ballylone Concert Flute Band, Ballynahinch
Ballylone Concert Flute Band
Ballylone Concert Flute Band was formed in 1908 as a part music flute band by the young men of the
townland on the north-eastern outskirts of Ballynahinch. Its sole purpose at that time was to lead the
local lodge Ballylone Purple Guards LOL 1609 and it is a duty which is still carried out with aplomb
117 years later.
Family ties have always been an integral part of the Band from its inception and some of the original
family names such as Burrows, Harrison and Scott are now into their 3 rd and 4 th generations of
players.
Ballylone remained strictly a marching band for the next 4 decades with other engagements including
Sunday School excursions, British Legion parades and also leading the Ballylone Knights of the
Purple Rock RBP 275 from its foundation in 1935.
The Band entered the Contest arena for the first time in 1946 and had its first success a year later in
the North of Ireland Band Association Championship Grade 4 held in the Ulster Hall.
Over the years the Band successfully progressed through each grade until in 1997 it achieved the title
of Grade 1 Flute Band League Champions for the first time.
Ballylone Concert Flute Band became Grade 1 World Champions in the NIBA Contest of 2002 a feat
repeated 8 times since including 4 successes in the past 5 years. The Band has featured regularly over the past 30 years on the Radio Ulster programme “Strike up the Band” and more recently “Bandstand” and is now recognised as one of the top concert bands in
Northern Ireland.
On parade, the Ballylone Band has led the Ballynahinch District LOL No 17 on most of its milestone
occasions over many years such as the Covenant Parades in 1962 and 2012 and Tercentenary
Parades in Belfast, Loughgall and Carrickfergus. The Band have also performed at County Services
and at the Orange “Grands” Ceremony.
Today’s membership is still drawn mainly from Ballynahinch, although the band has members as far
afield as Carrickfergus and the Kingdom of Mourne. At present there are numerous family
connections and the dedication of the majority of the members has ensured that the Band continues
to flourish after 117 years of its existence.
The Band previously have performed in the Belfast Tattoo in 2014 with close neighbours Cahard,
Churchill from Londonderry and Hunter Moore Memorial from Newry forming a massed flute band of
over 100 players playing a varied programme of well-known marches and popular concert pieces.
The band’s activities can be viewed on the band’s Facebook page and numerous YouTube videos
can be found from parading, concerts and competitions.
The South Australian Precision Team, Australia
The South Australian Precision Team
The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces, Finland
The Conscript Band of the
Finnish Defence Forces
The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces has been in operation for over 30 years and is stationed in the Armored Brigade in Hattula, Western Finland. Throughout the years Finland’s most talented and motivated musicians, men and women, have served their mandatory military service in The Conscript band. The minimum mandatory service in The Conscript Band lasts 9 months consisting of basic training for two months and musical training for 7 months.
The Conscript Band of The Finnish Defence Forces is the brightest example of the Finnish national military service system! The musical core of the show in Belfast tattoo is formed around great and renowned Finnish musical themes. In their music The Conscript Band will also be sending their best wishes for the great figure of Northern Irish musical history, Van Morrison. The Figure Marching band seen in the show consists of the marching band, a drum line and a stage band accompanied by singers. A true specialty in the show is the Rifle Drill Team whose rifles are fully working, chrome coated Finnish RK62 assault rifles that shine in the bright lights of the great Belfast Tattoo arena! The soldiers that you see on the Belfast Tattoo stage have started their military service in January this year. Though many of our privates will continue on with music as a hobby some of them might make a career out of it.
The ones pursuing a career might be the future conductors like Santtu-Matias Rouvali or composer and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen from Nightwish who have also served in The Conscript Band years back. So, who knows, we might be witnessing the birth of the next future superstars among these musicians!
St John’s College Pipes and Drums Band, Harare, Zimbabwe
St John’s College Pipes and Drums Band
The St John’s College Pipes and Drums Band, proudly sponsored by EXPACARE, was founded in 1996, inspired by the vision of Neil Thompson, a student who recognized the importance of a Pipe Band in fostering school spirit and heritage. During the College’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, Headmaster Mr. P.V. Kolbe officially launched Neil’s initiative. The newly established St John’s College Pipes and Drums Band was initially mentored by Alasdair Trotter, a student from Glenalmond College in Scotland.
Today, the St John’s College Pipes and Drums Band features over 60 dedicated members, guided by passionate Zimbabwean instructors. The band performs extensively throughout the year at significant events, showcasing its talents at social, cultural, and sporting occasions. In addition to the College calendar, the band actively participates in various public events, including weddings, corporate functions, parties, funerals, and other celebrations.
Annually, the band competes in the National Institute of Allied Arts Festival and the Western Cape Virtual Eisteddfod, consistently achieving honours. To further develop their skills, the band organizes an Annual Quaich Piping and Drumming Competition, providing members with valuable performance experience.
On the international stage, the band has enjoyed remarkable success in South Africa, winning numerous prestigious awards in both band and individual competitions sanctioned by the Pipe Bands Association of Southern Africa. Individual pipers and drummers have also excelled in the London College of Music examinations. The band has achieved remarkable success in various online piping and drumming competitions held in South Africa, China, Germany, and the USA.
In recent years, the band has had the privilege of hosting several esteemed, world-class piping and drumming instructors for specialized workshops aimed at enhancing the skills of its members. Notably, in 2012, 2016, and 2023, the band welcomed prestigious musicians from Canada and Scotland to conduct workshops and participate in the PDQB examinations.
The band has participated in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in August 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2023. In 2018, they achieved a significant milestone by winning the Novice class category, and in 2023, they earned over five international awards, finishing 4th out of 30 bands at the World Championships.
This year, the band will compete in South Africa and, for the first time in its history, participate in the Belfast International Tattoo. Additionally, they will be competing in the World Pipe Band Championships in the Novice A category.
Fling Together Dance Company, USA
Fling Together Dance Company is an initiative of Fling Together Collective, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting Highland dance through education, scholarships, and cultural exchange. Launched in 2020 in response to the SDUSA National Championships’ cancellation, Fling Together started as a global virtual event connecting dancers from eight countries. With support from the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, it quickly expanded into online workshops. By 2021, the Collective was officially formed, focused on supporting community initiatives that positively impact the Highland dance world and fostering global connections through collaborative virtual projects.
The next chapter began not on a dance floor, but on a chairlift in Breckenridge, Colorado, where dance friends Alexa Smith and Kate DeGood reunited for a ski day. There, they conceived an organization to help U.S. dancers achieve performance goals outside of competition. They soon
brought in fellow dancer Elizabeth Constantine, and in 2023, incorporated the Colorado-based Fling Together Collective as a nonprofit organization. While headquartered in Colorado, the team spans the U.S., bringing diverse regional perspectives to their work.
In 2024, Fling Together launched the Scholarship Program, along with the Fling Together Dance Company and Development Team, aimed at better connecting American dancers with the world of performance. The Dance Company debuted at NYC Tartan Week and Tartan Day at Ellis Island in 2024, returning in 2025 with a team of over 50 dancers. They’re excited to collaborate with Kathryn Stewart’s Highland Dance Display Team for the Belfast International Tattoo, sharing the beauty of traditional Scottish Highland dance with a modern flair.
The Chelsea Pensioners, United Kingdom
The Chelsea Pensioners are retired British Army veterans who live at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. They come from various backgrounds across the United Kingdom, and their home here is an historic institution dedicated to providing care, camaraderie, and support to those who have served our nation.
We are delighted that members of the Chelsea Pensioners will be joining the Belfast International Tattoo cast for 2025. They will be giving a display of their stick walking skills. We look forward to welcoming the Chelsea Pensioners back to Belfast in September.
Kathryn Stewart’s Highland Dance Display Team, Northern Ireland
Kathryn Stewart’s Highland Dance Display Team NIKathryn Stewart, former Ulster Champion, has been teaching for 15 years in various locations throughout Northern Ireland. These locations include, Enniskillen, Kilkeel, Loughbrickland, Auchnacloy, to name a few.
Dancers from these various locations take part in annual examinations through the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) and regularly compete at competitions throughout Northern Ireland and further afield.
The highland dance groups tutored by Kathryn Stewart include the following:
Erne Highland Dancers (Enniskillen)
Finnard Highland Dancers (Finnard)
Heart of Down Highland Dancers (Ballynahinch)
Hilltop Highland Dancers (Aughnacloy)
Kathryn Stewart School of Highland Dancing (Loughbrickland)
Kirknarra School of Dance (Annalong)
Kirknarra School of Dance (Kilkeel)
Within our Highland Dance display team, we have 2 Ulster-Champions with more of our dancers featuring within the top 6 in Northern Ireland/Ireland.
We are very much looking forward to the Belfast International Tattoo 2025 and in particular our collaboration with the Fling Together Dance Company from the USA.
County Armagh Accordion Band, Northern Ireland
County Armagh Accordion Band is a group made up of members of accordion bands from across County Armagh. It was set up following a request from David Scott that a group of accordion players from County Armagh get together to play for the Orange Awards in 2024.
Since then the group has gone on to feature at many parades, concerts and other events such as the Armagh County Show and the VE Day Street Tattoo in Kilkeel. County Armagh Accordion Band has been an opportunity for fellow accordion players in our County to come together, play music and share in fellowship. It has helped to strengthen relationships between individuals and between bands in the local area, as well as providing an opportunity for people to play something different.
It is a pleasure to be performing at Belfast International Tattoo 2025. We hope you enjoy our routine and music and make sure to sing, clap or dance along!
The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, Canada
The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band was established in 1920 to promote pride in the Winnipeg Police and to act as ambassadors for the Winnipeg Police, City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba and Canada. Originally composed of only serving police officers, the Band has recruited volunteer members from the community since the 1970’s.
The current Winnipeg Police Pipe Band consists of active police members, retired police officers, Professional Staff of the Winnipeg Police Service and over sixty volunteer members from a variety of backgrounds. Members have an average of thirteen years of service with the band. The band’s longest serving member has nearly sixty years of service.
The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band performs locally in Winnipeg and abroad. Past performances include Las Vegas, Cleveland, Virginia, Pleasanton, Lorient France, Belfast Northern Ireland and Basel Switzerland. Most notably, the Winnipeg Police Service has had the privilege of performing on stage with Sir Paul McCartney during the performance of Mull of Kintyre.
The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band uniform includes the Royal Stewart Kilt, Permission to use the Royal Stewart was granted by the Lord Master of the Rolls of the United Kingdom in 1920 on behalf of His Majesty, King George V.
We look forward to welcoming The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band to the stage in September.
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland officially celebrate their centenary this year having been formally recognized by the National RBL movement. Up to this point, the Northern Ireland Branches had been an autonomous section, but decided to strengthen the British Legion movement, by fully integrating and becoming an area within the British Legion as in England and Wales. Prior to this many branches had already been formed and operating in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
In 1925 a Royal Charter was granted making the British Legion the National Custodians of Remembrance following World War One. The British Legion became the Royal British Legion in 1971, on the occasion of it’s 50th anniversary. The Royal British Legion continues in its primary role of welfare for veterans with funds raised by the Poppy Appeal. This year is the 80 th Anniversary of the ending of World War Two.
We pay homage to the Allied Forces who died in the war and celebrate all those who survived. We must remember that this was the most brutal war in history with between 70 -80 million people being killed worldwide. There are very few veterans left from this period and this will be the last major anniversary of their role in defeating Nazi Germany. We must remember the British and Irish volunteers in the three main military services who gave their lives in order to make Europe stable again. We also must remember those who were killed by Nazi bombing during the war period in Belfast. To the few survivors and the many who gave their lives, we give our grateful thanks.
Down Academy Pipes and Drums, Northern Ireland
Founded and established in September 2018, Down Academy Pipes and Drums is a cross community Grade 4B competitive pipe band made up primarily of players under the age of 16. Based in Spa, Ballynahinch in the South Down area of Northern Ireland, the band focuses on producing and developing young talent and promoting traditional Scottish music. Despite their youth, the band has quickly built a reputation for strong performances, teamwork, and dedication. With experienced guidance, they continue to grow, both musically and competitively and everyone involved with the band is looking forward to performing at the
2025 Belfast Tattoo.
