AMPED – ECHO GECCO | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Emerging from The Midlands and Worcestershire respectively, prog inspired rock trio Echo Gecco are proving to be one of the most exciting artists breaking in the local music scene. Taking inspiration from the psychedelic rings of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard all the way to indie legends The Arctic Monkey’s, Echo Gecco really are an eclectic mix. They soft released their first album ‘Self-Titled’ at the tail end of 2022 and will get an official release next month.

Having made it all the way down the top 25 artists in the Lakefest Amped Stage Competition semi-final with Northern Exposure, Mi Casa Music and Fightback lager, the competition will see the winning act prized £5K and a place on Lakefest’s main stage line up. Echo Gecco didn’t quite make it to grand finale, but there’s no losers here and despite missing out on the grand prize, all semi-finalists get a chance to perform on the festivals Amped Stage at Lakefest Festival this summer. We chatted to the band after their semi-final performance at Bristol’s The Exchange last week and here’s what they had to say.

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Hectic, eclectic, unexpected.

Shortlisted from 543 artists down to just 25 – how did that feel?

It’s always great to feel validated for your craft. We have nothing but thanks to the people that listened and heard our sound interesting enough to put forward to the semi finals.

Most competitions have only one winner, were you shocked to find out there was also an opportunity to play the Amped stage?

Yes. It’s great to see that the belief in all the bands went further than just picking one winner. It feels like everyone’s a winner. It will be great to see all the bands again in a festival setting.

You are playing the Amped stage – what can festival goers expect from your set?

A smorgasbord of sounds to get you pumped in ways you may not have expected.

Who is one band/artist you want to catch at Lakefest?

Johnny Marr.

Who stood out for you at the semi final?

Alex Ohm. Fantastic stuff.

Of all the bands competing who would you like to see win the prize?

Laurie Wright.

What else have you got planned as a band this year?

More writing, recording demos and gigging the album ‘Self Titled’ in various places around the country.

One track of yours that everybody should listen to?

Spaghetti Junction.