We have great memories of playing in Nottingham over the years. It’s always been good to us.
Your relationship with Glenn (Johansson, guitarist) has endured for more than 30 years. What would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Glenn and I are soul mates in the true sense. I can’t imagine the world without him! We know each other so well, having been best friends for so long. I’m sure I have many weaknesses, but he has always been there for me.
This tour marks 30 years of the album ON - what are your memories of recording it back in the day?
ON was recorded very quickly (at Konk Studios in London), as we were riding the wave of success at the time and only had a small window of time to record it. We wrote a lot of it while on tour, on the back of tour buses, in hotel rooms and at soundchecks too, as we were constantly on the road at the time.
The industry has moved on so much in that period. What do you make of the live scene now?
The live scene has changed in so many ways. In the '90s there was so much more opportunity for bands to just go out and play gigs. Sadly, so many venues are having to close down and I do feel for new bands starting out as it’s all about social media presence now.
The political world is so unstable at the moment - do you feel the escapism music offers has never been more important?
The beauty of music is that it ultimately belongs to the listener and what they take from it, whether it is solace or joy or escapism or as a reflection of themselves.
This summer has seen a horrible return to right wing demos and intimidating flag waving - what is your take on the direction the country is going in?
I believe in free speech, and everyone who feels they are not being heard has a right to express their concerns without being punished or automatically labelled. It is a misconception to think you will ever change someone’s mind by ridiculing them. Trying to understand their worries is the only way to move forward. You might even find you have a lot more in common but are coming from it from the angle of your own life’s perspective.
On a much deeper level, whatever your personal beliefs, finding the vibration of positivity in them, is far more beneficial to you physically, mentally and spiritually, than focusing on their negative opposites, which are diminishing in these respects. This will probably go over most people’s heads, but put another way, Mother Teresa once said that she would not go on an "anti-war" march but would go on a "pro-peace" march. She understood this concept.
I believe in free speech, and everyone who feels they are not being heard has a right to express their concerns
Do you feel the great breadth of brilliant music the country is producing is a kickback to what is happening nationally and globally?
British music has held a fascination for many people outside the country for a very long time. It is one of the greatest assets that this country has to offer the world.
Which acts are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment, I’m not listening to any other acts. I am only immersing myself in my own music. I haven’t listened to ON in it’s entirety for so long that I’ve had to re-discover it for myself!
A lot of bands of your generation are seeing parents bring their kids to shows now, is that the same for Echobelly?
Yes. I think that the Britpop generation are passionate about the music they grew up listening to - and parents like to show their kids that they were young once!
What have been your pinch me moments during the ride the band have been on for the last three decades?
We were lucky enough to have a good deal of success very quickly and I got to meet artists that I loved - some of whom have said such wonderful things about our music that I feel truly humbled.
Are there still any goals you’d still like to achieve?
We have never stopped making music and growing as songwriters. We even have a new album coming out next year! I am really grateful to the fans for still wanting to hear the hits and that they still get played on radio. Having said that, I would love to achieve a greater level of appreciation for some of our lesser known songs, many of which I am truly proud.
Echobelly perform at The Level on 8th November 2025. Tickets are available here.
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