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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2007 > October > 12 > Entry
Echo Project begins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a beautiful day in South Fulton County, and we’re here at the Echo Project. The crowds are still a little sparse in the early afternoon Friday, but the music is flowing and the vibe is loose - and the music fans are still streaming in.
The three-day festival kicked off at about noon with the Barrel House Mamas from Asheville - as guitarist and flutist Jane Edens put, “starting off the whole shebang.” In front of a small but appreciative crowd, the four women (backed by a stand-up bass and snare) played sweet acoustic country-folk. The harmonies were as sweet as the country air, minus that occasional whiff of livestock wafting across the field. The band’s sprightly sound had some of the early arrivals dancing in the breeze, whether they were tie-dyed and dreadlocked or part of the clean-cut, collegiate t-shirts and shorts brigade.
The Mamas seemed tailor-made for this eco-centric fest. At least two songs in their set were river-themed, with lyrics such as “I don’t choose to pollute the river” and “the creek is crying.”
After the set, Edens explained that the band members met at North Carolina’s Warren Wilson College. “It’s a really environmentally conscious place,” she said. “So it’s something we’re very dedicated to.”
The group plans to spend the rest of the weekend out among the crowds at the festival, catching some of their own favorite bands. Suprisingly, when asked who she’s looking forward to, Edens mentions the very un-Barrel House Mamas-like Flaming Lips, the experimental freak-pop band headlining Friday.
Despite the groovy atmosphere, the immaculate weather and the beautiful setting, the fest is experiencing some growing pains. Two artists scheduled for the first day have already canceled, leaving some blank spots in the line-up. Atlanta’s Butch Walker and Snowden, the latter due to a death in the family, won’t be playing today. Athens reggae outfit Dubconscious, originally slotted to play one of the earliest sets, will play a little later, probably filling Snowden’s spot.
Keep checking back for updates through the weekend. We’ll let you know how things are going out here along the Chattahoochee.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Echo Project
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By burningman
October 12, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
This Echo Fest is going to be a big fuster cluck. The whole thing has smelled of scam from the beginning. I can’t wait to hear the horror stories come Monday. Artist not showing up, not getting paid, camp ground ODs’, fights, rapes.
Sounds like great fun! Glad I’m not there.
By burningman
October 12, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
This Echo Fest is going to be a big fuster cluck. The whole thing has smelled of scam from the beginning. I can’t wait to hear the horror stories come Monday. Artist not showing up, not getting paid, camp ground ODs’, fights, rapes.
Sounds like great fun! Glad I’m not there.
By silentbob
October 12, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Butch Walker cancelled his appearance at the Project Echo Oct.8. His name still appears on the Echo web site today.
They knew Walker wasn’t going to play, they knew he had a big following in Atlanta, they had plenty of time to remove his name from the web page, they deliberately decieved the ticket buyers.
By Bayliss
October 12, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Is is true they jacked up the early-bird camping price from the advertised $20 to $35 last night?
By amelia
October 12, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
wow NEGATIViTY is really prominent in these comments so far, why do you want this project to fail? the world has enough haters already, jerky!!