A man and his tattoo

Erik Julliard, inventor and organizer of the Basel Tattoo, puts his heart and soul into it. He impresses with his charm - and shows surprising things for the twelfth time.

From lawyer to tattoo maker: Erik Julliard

You launched the Basel Tattoo in 2006. What has changed since then?
Change is taking place steadily and gradually in all areas. In terms of technology, design and appearance. The standard of the formations is also constantly rising. We also have more shows - and therefore more spectators and participants.

How do you select the bands? Is it possible to apply for the Basel Tattoo?
We have never accepted a band that has applied. Bands that apply are not bands that are really good. The other bands have enough requests and therefore no time to apply. There is also a concept in the show: I have four so-called military bands that have to be as different as possible. Then there are nine or ten pipe bands, which should be well distributed worldwide. We try to cover everything from America and Europe to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Then we supplement this with special acts such as dancers or a drill team.

Christoph Walter is "Director of Music".

The stage band - on our own stage - changes every year. Why is that?
We haven't always had a stage band. The question is what you want to do and who is available at the time. Two years ago, Christoph Walter, our Director of Music, brought along the string quartet from his own orchestra, the Christoph Walter Orchestra. This year, the stage band is once again a rhythm section plus a brass band.

What is the Basel Tattoo Garde all about?
It's a historic idea to have a guard. The Basel Tattoo Guard has evolved over the years and consists mainly of Swiss guardsmen who served in Rome. It needs someone to open and close the door. I think it has style and is also a funny gag.

The Patrouille Suisse was at the Basel Tattoo in 2015. How did you manage that?
In a way, it was a birthday present from the Swiss army for our tenth anniversary. They only came on one evening, but you have to imagine the effort and costs involved.

Reggimento Corazzieri: This is your first time at the Basel Tattoo

Will there be another surprise this year?
This year the guard is coming from Norway with over a hundred people. We were able to convince them of the idea of singing a beautiful and traditional song. I'm sure it will be great. It's also the first time the American Presidential Guard has been to Europe. They are special, whistling and drumming. That suits Basel. It's not everyone's cup of tea, of course, but it's well packaged in a show.

What has been your personal highlight since the Basel Tattoo was founded?
Although "Amazing Grace" is a somewhat hackneyed song, we played it in the finale in the very early years. The Lone Piper starts to play, then we pull it down. In other words, the grand finale - all the bands together - finished the song. The atmosphere that arose in the barracks at the time was very special. The reactions of the audience and the emotions we had built up ourselves also played a role. We spend the whole year working towards the event - and then you have to unload everything in a week and a half. That's not easy.

What is the moment when you can let go and relax? Does that even exist?
During rehearsals, I already know that I can still influence something, but that I can't change anything much. As soon as all the Massed Pipes and Drums march in for the first time during rehearsals, I know that everything is going well. That's the "here we go" moment. There are 200 people in total and it's always complicated to coordinate everything.

Highland Dancers: The 36 dancers all come from Australia, where they compete on their own.

Is the organization already underway for next year?
It's always an overlap, a fluid process. There are a few marketing tasks that we have to take care of now. We are also discussing formations for next year. I already have some commitments for 2019. But of course we're not spending all day thinking about 2018 and 2019 - we're mainly focusing on this year.

What does the future hold for the Basel Tattoo?
Despite the familiar Basel Tattoo elements, we have developed our own style over the years. Over the next five years, it will be exciting to see where we keep the familiar elements and where we become different and new.

What music do you listen to in your free time?
No tattoo music! I can't listen to that anymore! (laughs). My favorite thing to do is put together playlists on all the different apps. Nothing special at all.

BASEL TATTOO
21. to 29.7.2017, Kaserne Basel
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