Bicycles, drill and drumming at the Basel Tattoo 2025

In front of packed rows of spectators, around 1000 participants performed military music, Scottish classics and pop songs. Musicians from various countries, including Jordan, Qatar, the USA, Great Britain and Switzerland, filled the arena in the Kaserne Basel.

There were no horses this time, but there were bicycles. The Dutch Crescendo Bicycle Showband earned hearty applause. The men and women rode their bicycles through the arena in formation, either single-handed or freehand, while simultaneously playing their instruments.

Swing numbers by Glenn Miller were played by the United States Air Force Band, while their colleagues from the drill team played in silence. The audience watched spellbound at the literally razor-sharp choreography with the bayonets.

Return of the young drumming talents

The local heroes of Top Secret are back in the Kaserne after three years with a newly devised program. In addition to throwing and juggling the mallets, the young Basel-based band incorporated a simulated fencing match on the drums into their show.

Highland dancers with fairy wings, pop songs in the precise formation of the Swiss Army Band and the folk song "Vogellisi", this time played by a Qatari police band, were also part of the program. Once again, the impressive parade of 200 bagpipers in the arena and the "Lone Piper" playing "Amazing Grace" on the barracks tower were not to be missed. Precision and pathos in the open air will continue for another week or so. The Basel Tattoo lasts until July 19.