ALTERNATIVE rock band Echo Gecco have announced they will close the new Amped stage at Lakefest next month.

The Amped stage is a new Lakefest feature at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire designed to provide new and rising artists with afternoon and evening time slots, valuable audience exposure opportunity, and fair payment for their performances.

The stage will host all the finalists of the Amped competition held earlier in the year, with close to 30 finalists selected from several hundred applicants who competed for a Lakefest main stage slot and £5,000.

Echo Gecco will take to the stage at 10.45pm on Thursday August 10.

The three-piece band, from Stourbridge and Worcester, comprises Josh Hunt on vocals and guitars, Keega Hoang on bass and backing vocals, and Jon Aymes on drums, percussion, and backing vocals.

Influenced by artists such as David Bowie, Rush, Gong, Oh Sees, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and Muse, they’ve been making something of a mark on the regional festival scene since April, starting with their opening performance at the HRH Prog 13 event at the O2 in Sheffield.

Their debut album 'Self Titled' has received positive reviews and is available on deluxe vinyl, standard vinyl and CD from record shops around the country and even as far as Japan.

Additionally, fans can stream and playlist several Echo Gecco tracks on Spotify.

Lakefest, which will take place over four days starting on Thursday August 10, will feature main stage appearances by artists such as Johnny Marr, Gaz Coombes, Clean Bandit, The Zutons, Embrace, Faithless (DJ set), The Hoosiers, McFly, Inspiral Carpets and more.

Final release tickets are still available and can be purchased through the festival's official website.

For more information about Echo Gecco, fans can check out their Facebook page or website echogecco.co.uk