As part of Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen’s ‘New Crush’ series of events, Man & The Echo make an impressionable stance as a mere support act tonight. Supporting Feverist (the band which created the soundtrack for Peaky Blinder’s), Man & The Echo rouse a crowd to great heights for a support slot, as the room gradually begins to fill.

Powering into their Double AA side recently released singles ‘Honeysucker’ and ‘All Right’, the Warrington hailing band quickly encapsulate the audience on side.

‘Honeysucker’ rapidly rocks us into a funky revelry. With no dreary showmanship and hanging about, the rock and roll group instantaneously gets down to their grasping sound. Seeming to spin from a 60s rhythm and blues sound with an added modern spark, Man & The Echo mock the classic happy-go-lucky approach to songwriting. ‘Lifes all good honey, nothing’s gonna shake it out of you!’ roars the animated lead Gareth Roberts, contrasting his uplifting hook chorus with politically strung verses. Spitting angst into elevating song-craft, Roberts hurtles his verse, mocking ‘some Tory toff’ who gets in for ‘being silly on the telly’. Live the single grows in intensity and thickness, it’s sound reaching its most enriching live format, with keys even heartier and funkier than on record.

Roberts displays his magnetic charisma and politically strung comedy not just in his lyrics but also his stage presence. He jestingly encourages the crowd to move forward. “Come closer please so we can see you. It feels a bit empty in here. Everyone keeps telling me the country full but it’s not in here is it?” he jokes, as the room begins to fill.

Melodies and harmonies bounce with live spirit on ‘All Right’. With booming drums and an infectious jive, Man & The Echo are not a shy support act. Backing vocals sweetening ‘oohs’ contrast Roberts alluring spits, circling as a spool of sugar around the leads message to mock the strange fascination of the middle class with his lyrics. In performance ‘All Right’ reaches it’s free wielding and inspiring spirit, as Roberts growls the chorus and song title like an enthused disgruntled bear. The front man channels his political dismay into powerful rock and roll.

Man & The Echo’s upcoming new single ‘Vile As You Want’ has a feel of The Beatles at their grooviest. Yet, Roberts injects his own modern spear into playfully repeating classic rock and roll melodies.

The band’s forthcoming video release ‘I Don’t Give A Fuck What You Reckon,’ sees Man & The Echo at their most aggressive. However, even in antagonism, the group doesn’t lose their elevating tone. Man & The Echo stir the audience into inspiration, with rumbling rock and roll. Robert spikes both gaiety and bored disgust into the mundanity of life and dismal conversation; “I don’t give a fuck what you reckon. Don’t care about your occupation. Don’t care about your sucky vacation.”

Man & The Echo are here to inject rebellion back into rock and roll: with validated remarks on unhappy political control, a celebration of free-sprit, cracking guitar rhythms and elevating sound.

Emily Schofield
@EmSchofield94