Drumbeats setting the pace, all kinds of marching formations, and top-notch music – this is how we vividly remember the sparkling marching shows of recent Schladming TATTOOs, featuring both international and national marching bands.

In the midst of planning for the annual Mid EUROPE Festival, we need to announce a lineup change for 2024. Unfortunately, this year, the traditional Tattoo marching show, a mainstay at the Planai Stadium, won't be happening due to a lower-than-expected number of orchestras registering. This decision was made after much deliberation, specifically with a view to the overall quality and implementation of our festival's program.

Despite the absence of the marching show, the program is packed with an array of standout highlights. This year's Friday theme is “Music Knows No Bounds." Mid Europe, alongside the city of Schladming and its sister city Wetzlar, is celebrating a dual anniversary – 50 years of partnership and the 25th edition of Mid EUROPE. Highlighting the festivities, the Wetzlar Music School will perform a concert at the Congress Center. A special source of pride: the inclusion bands Mundwerk and Together will both take the stage, further showcasing the fact that everyone is truly welcome.

The heart of Schladming will already come alive with music in the morning hours. A diverse lineup of orchestras, including the Lucerne Concert Band, Wind Philharmonic Forchheim, the Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng Junior High School 27th Wind Band, Trachtenkapelle Judendorf-Strassengel, and the Koninklijke Harmonie de Berggalm, will all demonstrate their astonishing versatility. The afternoon will feature bands such as Raaber Blechbuam and Lumpm Bras, ensuring a lively mood, while Big Band Schladming and Schleidertrauma will keep energy levels sky-high until 11:00 PM.

That said, fans of the Schladming Tattoo marching show shouldn’t be overly downhearted – the anniversary program is shaping up to be quite the sight to see. And here's a little teaser to whet your appetite: planning for the 2025 Tattoo with international marching bands is indeed already underway.