The Processionals are the beating heart of the procession at Beltane Fire Festival. Steady as their drums, they lay down a beat that drives the march forward behind the May Queen.

Stoic, focussed, and united, they are consumed by the rhythms they play. The Processionals find ritual meditation in drumming their beats, and they channel those energies into the May Queen, the Green Man, and the rest of the festival.

Their sound carries over the Hill, mixing with the other drummers that they encounter. The Beasties approach and play up to them, drumming up a competition that creates new dynamic mashups.

The Processionals’ vibrations draw a crowd of onlookers, who follow them on their long circular journey around the Hill. The riffs they drum alert people that they are coming, and soon a line of witnesses is waiting for them wherever they travel. Everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the court bringing Summer’s return, and the Processionals are their rhythmic beacon.

Tickets for Beltane Fire Festival are available to buy online from Citizen Ticket. Join the Facebook event here.