Echo 17 Festival

What happens when three friends with no festival experience decide to start a podcast to find out if they can put on a grassroots music event?

For over a year, How to Build a Festival has followed three Londoners’ journey from pipe dream to reality — and now, thanks to overwhelming industry and community support, that reality is Echo 17 Festival, taking place on Saturday 20 September 2025 in Walthamstow.

The podcast began as an experiment: could three ordinary mates, armed only with curiosity and pretty average recording equipment, really create a festival in the capital? Listeners have tuned to hear the story unfold — from scouting sites and wrestling with licensing to booking artists and building a community around the idea.

Now, thanks to that community’s backing, the festival they dreamed up behind a microphone is ready to take the stage.

A Festival with a Unique Hook #

Echo 17 is unlike any other London festival. It runs on a pay-what-you-can model (tickets ranging from free to £50), with the organisers taking no salary and every pound going directly to paying artists fairly and covering essential costs.

It’s a profit-neutral approach that challenges the rising costs of live music, making culture accessible at a time when many feel priced out.

“Every big act starts small. We want people to experience that magic up close, without it costing a fortune. Echo 17 is about inclusion, fairness, and building a festival that belongs to the community,” says Cat Perrins, one of the festival founders and podcast hosts. ‘With so many festivals folding and grassroots music venues closing their doors, we felt really passionate about trying a model that put artists and audiences first. Echo 17 is our attempt at showing it can be done differently. Now we just have to hope people show up!”

From Headphones to Headliners #

Since its launch, How to Build a Festival has built a loyal following of listeners curious to see whether the trio could pull it off. Now, those listeners can witness the next chapter in person — with more than 20 grassroots artists, DJs, family activities, and food and drink from local businesses all packed into Walthamstow’s Ravenswood Industrial Estate.

And yes — contrary to the old saying — the team really have managed to organise a piss-up in a brewery (several, in fact, as local breweries will be pouring pints on site).

The line-up includes a strong representation of local acts, with over a third of performers hailing from Waltham Forest.

“We are really looking forward to playing back in E17, and it’s heartening to see so many local artists on the bill. The area is full of talent, and it’s great there’s stages for them to perform in their backyard,” says Jonny Pickles, lead singer of Turncoat Billy. ‘It’s also basically a booze up in a brewery, so will be a top day/night!”

Event Details #

Where: Ravenswood Estate, Walthamstow
When: Saturday 20 September 2025
What: 20+ grassroots artists & DJs, Family activities, Local breweries & Street food
Tickets & info: echo17.co.uk
Follow on Instagram: @echo17fest | Podcast: How to Build a Festival

Press Contact

For interviews, images, and media enquiries:

Catherine Perrins
howtobuildafest@gmail.com 
07795430964