“Running a successful function band is not only about delivering great performances, it’s also about maintaining high expectations with everything from our equipment to our customer service.”
Echo Drive is made up of four music professionals who have continued to develop their skills in a range of areas to ensure they can deliver a quality product to their clients.
“Choosing the right songs and delivering authentic, dynamic live shows is half the battle. Managing the sound restrictions, complications and particulars of venues often not designed for live music is certainly another half of the battle on any given night.”
Fortunately Echo Drive has a wealth of experience, knowledge and qualifications in music performance and production. Singer, Calder, returned to education later and achieved a First Class Degree in Applied Studies Music which involved various modules on live sound and production. Dan, on bass and keys, has a Jazz Studies Degree from Leeds College of Music. Guitarist, Greg, is a self confessed “guitar-tone nerd” and it shows with his impeccable range of sounds fitting perfectly into the mix on any stage or in any room. Josh, on drums, is sales executive for DGMusic - an excellent agency for bands and artists all over the UK whose standards are second to none. "These are the skills that a professional band require. It’s much more than being able to play along to songs in your living room."
“A covers band has to perform every role from roadie and stage tech, to sound/lighting engineer and performing artist too.”
We use a mix of acoustic and electric guitars so we can cover the nu-folk sounds of Mumford and Sons or the Lumineers, for example. We also have a live synth/keyboard so we can perform dance music and electronic influenced styles or piano led songs. Also utilising drum sample pads, with the drummers hybrid kit, alongside standard percussion gives us a great versatility to our sound. ? Beyond that, Echo Drive play a large repertoire of your favourite indie/rock classics from across the decades, including - Stereophonics, The Killers, The Kinks, Queen, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Pulp and many more. We delve into funk and party tunes such as Play That Funky Music and Superstition and we can learn a special request - such as a first dance song - within our standard fee. For more, see our full set list.
We believe that the best advert for our services can be seen in our testimonials and feedback from previous clients. We have performed at events in every corner of the country and beyond and often the clients simply can’t say enough about how pleased they were. ? You know you are in safe hands. We are fully insured with Public Liability Insurance and always keep PAT Certificates up to date - available on request.
This may be the first time you have booked a band. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to give you a clearer idea of how things work and what to expect. ?We take great pride in our customer service and are always available for assistance from the moment you enquire to the minute we drive away from the venue after the gig. Just be in touch, we are very approachable guys. :)

Echo Drive are a Leicestershire based wedding and function band. The 4-piece can create the perfect atmosphere at all points of the day, offering everything from relaxed solo guitar to a full live party band and DJ service.

You can book this versatile band to play an acoustic set as your guests arrive and as you walk down the aisle, a laidback set as you enjoy your wedding breakfast and of course an energetic performance for your reception. With plenty of options and a flexible approach, Echo Drive are the ideal choice for your special day.

To find out more or to book, get in touch via the contact form above.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is your starting price?

4 Piece Band is £1350 plus travel 3 Piece Band is £1125 plus travel

What services do you offer?

We provide various options including 4 Piece Band/ 3 Piece Band/ Acoustic Duo/ Acoustic Solo/ DJ Service.

What is included in the wedding package?

2 x 60 minute Sets. Arrival of 6pm. Music to finish at 12am midnight. First Dance song learned as a special request. All stage and dance floor lighting. PA system for up to 500 people. Public Liability Insurance, PAT Certification. Attentive customer service from booking til the end of the event.

How far in advance should I contact you?

We take bookings as early as 2 years ahead of the date. Your enquiry can be saved on the date to ensure first come, first served principle. Peak times do get very popular and we sometimes turn away as many as five, six or seven clients on a single date. So, please be in contact ASAP for the best chance of availability.

What style of music do you offer?

Indie-Rock, Acoustic Indie-Folk, Classic Rock, Funk, Pop, and also some Electronic Dance. A range of styles from across the decades to suit all ages crowds. We use acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard/synth, drum triggers to widen the scope of our sound.

Type of musical group:

4 Piece Band 3 Piece Band Acoustic Duo Acoustic Solo

Size of musical group:

4 Piece Max

Repertoire:

2010'S

Castle On The Hill - Ed Sheeran

Hold Back The River - James Bay

Shut Up And Dance - Walk The Moon

Bonfire Heart - James Blunt

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell

Get Lucky – Daft Punk

Blame It On Me - George Ezra

I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons

Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay

Let It Go - James Bay

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon

Nobody To Love - Sigma

Wake Me Up – Avicii

2000'S

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Better Together - Jack Johnson

Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon

Babylon – David Gray

I'm Yours – Jason Mraz

Somewhere Only We Know – Keane

American Idiot – Green Day*

Drops Of Jupiter - Train

Buck Rogers - Feeder

Clocks – Coldplay

Dakota – Stereophonics

Grounds For Divorce – Elbow*

Valerie – The Zutons

Last Nite - The Strokes

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon

Lady (Hear Me Tonight) - Modjo

Starlight - The Supermen Lovers

I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys

Club Foot - Kasabian*

I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs

1990'S

Rock N' Roll Star - Oasis

Basket Case - Green Day*

The Bartender & The Thief - Stereophonics*

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

Lucky Man - The Verve

Lump - The Presidents of the USA*

Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene*

Place Your Hands - Reef*

Sit Down - James

Sun Hits The Sky - Supergrass*

Two Princes - Spin Doctors

Common People - Pulp

Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis

Song 2 - Blur*

Let Forever Be - The Chemical Brothers*

Praise You - Fatboy Slim

Closing Time – Semisonic

Deeper Underground - Jamiroquai*

1980'S Money For Nothing – Dire Straits*

Summer of '69 – Bryan Adams

The One I Love - REM

Rappers Delight - The Sugarhill Gang*

Start Me Up - Rolling Stones*

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears*

1970'S

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry*

Superstition – Stevie Wonder*

20th Century Boy – T Rex

All Right Now – Free*

Message In A Bottle – The Police*

Teenage Kicks – Undertones

Crazy Love – Van Morrison

Bob Marley - Is This Love

Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

Maggie May - Rod Stewart

1960'S Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

My Generation – The Who*

Satisfaction – Rolling Stones

You Really Got Me – The Kinks*

With A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker

Twist And Shout - The Beatles

Is it possible to request something that is not in the repertoire?

We will learn one specific song request for every booking, such as a first dance song, within the price.

Experience:

Echo Drive come with years of experience in providing entertainment solutions for weddings, private parties, corporate events all over the U.K. plus, hundreds of performances, as part of other acts, in venues, pubs and festivals. Echo Drive will not only perform to the highest standard but assist you in planning the perfect event from the time of enquiring, right up until completion. It is this combination of musicianship and professionalism that has helped them establish themselves in an extremely competitive and vibrant area of the music industry. CALDER MCLAUGHLIN Lead Vocals / Acoustic Guitar Lead Vocalist Calder is one of the hardest working and best known musicians in Leicestershire having racked up literally thousands of gigs. He is a popular solo artist and song-writer with a strong following for his music which has featured on BBC radio. He has played support for The Wonder Stuff, John Power (Cast) and Chris Helme (Seahorses) and has recently recorded guest vocals for world renowned House/Techno act Him_Self_Her released on Suara Records. Calder has appeared at prestigious festival Summer Sundae and has recently achieved 1st class honours BA Applied Studies Music GREG SHUTE Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals Lead Guitarist Greg Shute has built up an impressive Private Guitar Teaching business currently tutoring more than 40 regular students from his home studio and in local schools. He has written music for film soundtracks and his former trip-hop band Free Control played headline shows all over the country including their homecoming Summer Sundae Weekender gig on the main stage in DeMontford Hall. Free Control also appeared at NEC Music Live. He works with vocalist Sally Hossack in The Aurora electro acoustic duo and plays as a dep for other covers bands. DAN MONK Bass / Keyboards / Backing Vocals Bassist Dan Monk (BAHons Jazz Studies) also plays Saxophone and Keyboards and performs/records with a multitude of different style groups such as innovative brass party band - The King Brasstards, Sounds of Simon (Paul Simon tribute), covers bands the Funk Soul Collective and Johnny & The Goodtime Boys and solo artists Benn Hartmann and George Simpson; has worked with East Park Reggae Collective, Sir John Dankworth and appeared on an album with Sting, Bjork and Elvis Costello. JOSH BUDGEN Drums / Percussion Drummer Josh Budgen is by far the youngest member of the group, nonetheless he has already become involved with a multitude of bands and acts as a studio session player and live performer in the last few years, including original artists like Benn Hartmann, Sugabeat and George Simpson as well as function bands Dream Electric and Nanna Radleys. He also appears on Calder’s solo material.

Do you have your own equipment?

Of course! All PA and lighting provided.

Are you able to travel?

We travel to all corners of the UK. Travel costs are listed below in the next question.

Is there a charge for travelling?

Up to 30 miles travel from central address of Leicester, LE3 1AU is included within the standard prices listed above. All travel beyond that distance is charged at 70p per mile per band member = £2.80 per mile - 4 piece £2.10 per mile - 3 piece Up to a distance of roughly 120 miles or 2.5 hours travel LONG DISTANCES For distances of over 120 miles, or 2.5 hours travel, clients are required to provide accommodation and the booking is considered as a 2 day hire, whereby, an additional overnight fee is payable at £120 per band member. Accommodation - 2 x Double Rooms with B and B

Do you cover more than one wedding a day?

Yes, often, but usually only as a solo or duo act in the daytime, before moving on to a band booking for the evening.

Do you work alone or do you have a team of professionals?

We ARE the team of professionals. :) We run all aspects of our show, admin and planning ourselves.

What is the length of time of the act?

2 x 60 minute Sets is standard

How much time do you need to prepare for an act?

We ask for 1:30hrs for set up and sound check from arrival to the point where we have packed all our cases and bags away, had the chance for toilet breaks and to get drinks, warmed up the voice etc and to be completely ready for performance.

Do you charge per hour or per event?

per event, apart from extra hours

If needed, would you be able to work extra hours

Yes.

How do you charge for extra time?

EARLY ARRIVAL - £25 per hour per member LATE FINISH - £25 per hour per member WAITING HOURS - £25 per hour per member

What are the forms of payment?

Bank Transfer is preferable. Cash is also accepted. We do not accept cheques. Deposit to be paid at time of booking with remaining balance due 7 days prior to performance date.