In 2019, Warwick Thistle Pipe Band took 50 musicians to perform in the community massed band at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. In front of an audience of 70,000, the band was the largest band on the field— a remarkable achievement for a small country town.  In 2020, the band was the only Australian group invited to perform at the Peace in the World Festival in Russia, a tour sadly cancelled due to COVID.
Last year, four young members of the band were selected to perform with the international Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums in Scotland. With just 75 musicians selected globally, it was an incredible achievement for a town of only 12,000 people. Two will return this year, continuing Warwick’s strong representation on the world stage.
The band also plays a leading role in CelticFest Warwick, Queensland’s largest Celtic festival. Now in its third year and attracting nearly 10,000 attendees, the festival celebrates the region’s strong Scottish and Irish roots. Funds raised by the members through their strong involvement in its festival are contributing to the band’s first overseas tour—to perform at Piping Live! 2025 in Scotland.
This journey isn’t just about the band—it’s about showcasing the spirit of Warwick and the Southern Downs. Warwick Thistle Pipe Band has long been a cornerstone of the music of the region, performing at ANZAC and Remembrance Day services, community festivals, and events like the Apple and Grape Festival Parade, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Killarney Bonfire Night, Untamed Border Run, and Allora’s Christmas festivities.
This historic tour is a source of enormous pride for the community and a powerful opportunity for band members to engage with the global pipe band scene, and further develop their musical and cultural understanding.