RAF takes the lead as Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo delights crowd on preview night
Thousands of fans have been given the first glimpse of this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The Royal Air Force is the lead service for this year's production – called A Call To Gather – which is being performed at Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade across August.
Eight hundred performers from around the world have joined military musicians from the UK Armed Forces in this year's cast.
The massed bands of the RAF took centre stage during the 90-minute spectacle anchoring the performance with a blend of traditional military music and modern favourites.
Sergeant Jonathan Hill from the RAF Regiment Band said: "It's an amazing thing – it's like an incredible atmosphere, a huge melting pot of different countries.
"I always meet new friends at these events and playing for such a big crowd is always special.
"It's really special having a spotlight on the Esplanade and being able to do our stuff all as a big unit.
"We have got all three bands and our auxiliary band as well all together, so it's a fantastic feeling."
The show was opened with the massed pipes and drums followed by each act in turn giving a brief performance to introduce them to the crowd.
A striking display of plane flags and union jack umbrellas joined the RAF Massed Bands as they played which was followed by the RAF King's Colours Squadron performing an eye catching weapons display.
The German Army Band Koblenz followed on from that before the US Field Army Band performed some popular hits.
Creative director Alan Lane said: "A Call To Gather celebrates the different cultures coming together from all around the world.
"There's never been a more important time for us to come together, share each other's culture and understand each other a bit more and the show tries to do that.
"Bringing international acts has been at the heart of the Tattoo from the very beginning and we continue to understand where we've come from in order to be able to make new shows for the audience.
"And that's a part of it."
He went on: "But we are also incredibly proud of the work we do in Scottish traditional performance.
"We invest a huge amount of time and money all year long in Shetland Fiddles, Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming.
"There is an unbelievable amount of talent in Scotland.
"There is an unbelievable amount of talent in the military around the world and I get to condense it all into one show."
The New Zealand Army Band's performance was marked by the iconic Haka dance – a traditional war cry made famous by the country's All Blacks rugby team.
Drum Major Staff Sergeant Ross Yorkstone said: "We always have a few surprises in store for the crowds.
"We're a pretty unique act in the sense that we bring a bit of New Zealand culture, a bit of traditional stuff, but also a bit of fun stuff for the crowds as well.
"It's going to be a bit of a rollercoaster for the audience – I'm sure they're going to enjoy it."
The finale of the show was marked with a solo piper playing on the ramparts of the castle before the entire cast filled the esplanade for the climax.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be performed until 29 August.
Tattoo chief executive Jason Barrett added: "We started thinking about this show well over 20 months ago, and then we begin to recruit and attract acts from across the world.
"Obviously you've got to innovate, bring in new acts, but also people come because they like their favorites.
"I think we always strive for the balance, and I think that's the word we look for.
"Look, The Massed Pipes and Drums, the lone piper, the Scottish traditional arts, that is our core.
"That will always be here and I think that allows us to be able to enhance in some other different directions, try some different things that are new, whether it be innovations in technology or innovations in dance and some new different ways in which we can entertain.
"But the balance is there because the core remains the same."
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