Is it really October already? It had seemed a long time since the last Echo Base Live event and when I pondered it, it had actually been longer. The last event was held at the end of March of this year so as not to clash with people’s plans for Japan, and the October event – which sometimes falls on the first weekend of October – was on Saturday 11th. Suffice to say, I was ready and excited to head back to Redditch.
The alarm was set for 6.00am but by 5.20am I was wide awake and getting ready for the day. In years gone by, I usually take to the queue around 7.30am and I’m near the front. I did the same this time, and it was great to catch up with friends old and new while we waited for opening time.
The team had done a good job with the guests for the Autumn show by widening the ‘theme’ of the show to Galaxy of Creatures. This enabled not only original trilogy signers to be there but also prequel guests such as Andy Secombe, and star of the sequel trilogy Biran Herring.
As it was back in March the show was once again held in old Debenhams, and this time the team had been hard at work. It felt more spacious from the minute you walked, and any teething issues with the new space had long been sorted.
It’s not new information for any serious collector that it’s a buyers’ market right now. Various factors such as inflation, cost of living and people leaving the hobby have all contributed to this unique time. Throughout COVID, prices shot up dramatically across the board as people had spare cash. This plateaued around 2022/2023, but prices have now come back down. With all this in mind, I heard of some truly great bargains that people picked up and had an amazing day and haul myself with really special items at no real cost.
I went along to the event as alway with my partner in crime and dear friend Chris Cooke. He’d brought along his Jedi Younglings and his youngest was having the time of her life. She spent her pocket money, made friends with other younglings and even helped out on the charity raffle. It’s always great to see the kids getting involved with Star Wars collecting as there are always muted concerns about the hobby going forward into the future. That wasn’t the case at Echo as there were young ones buying toys and having a great time. The win of the day went to Chris’ youngest who picked up a Vintage Collection Ahsoka Tano – carded – for £1. Yes, that’s right. A quid. This wasn’t a deal because she was a youngling, no no no, this was the marked price. Unbelievable.
There was, as always, a mixture of dealers, shops and folks selling off bits or whole parts of their collection. Fantha Tracker Paul Naylor was onhand, selling the last of his unwanted items.
There was a real energy and joy to the day. It felt like everyone was having a great time. Come 10.30am I headed out of the main show room to the entrance where it was time for the SWAG trade/meet up. I’d done this once before and it was great fun and wanted to do it again. I’d tried to get a bit creative with an idea and went for something that I hoped would get a laugh. I made 50 Jawa plant pots that were up for trade. All I needed was some black paint and two yellow eyes and we were away. The detail and ideas that people come up with for SWAG never ceases to amaze me. A few of my favourite were Mini Moc Pez’s, a General Madine Sexy Club KFC pin badge, TIE-Fighter Christmas decorations and Star Wars Poker playing hat. In all, I came away with 32 hand-made and one-of-a-kind items from the trade up and it lasted half an hour. It was wonderful. Assuming the next show is April 2026, getting thinking and get creative for the next one.
There were some great finds to be had. I came away with my biggest haul yet and spent the least amount of money doing so. Among my favourite pick ups were a 1977 Japanese necklace that I’d been after at a decent price for a long time, an R2-D2 Sigma Frame, a pewter cast Darth Vader wine opener statue, Nike Air Boba Fett Trainers (my size too, for £20), the 1997 Hong Kong Commemorative Edition 12″ Collector’s Set and something I’d been after since July, one of the new Star Wars Coca-Cola Cans. This was my first find of the day and I’ve been prowling shops here in UK since July but to no avail. Then, within the first five minutes of entering the show, I eyed one sitting all by itself. It was Princess Leia, and only a fiver.
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It’s not all about the collecting with Echo. Far from it. Star Wars fans continue to be among to most selfless in the galaxy and thanks to the Star Guest Dinner, Echo Live itself and Echo Base Galactic Alliance, the team raised an eyewatering and jaw dropping £4784.60 for BUDS – Better Understand of Dementia for Sandwell. Congratulations to all involved.
I also got chatting to some collector’s who were avid attendees of Echo Live Scandinavia. They were a delight and really got the cogs turning about next year’s even in August.
Until then, well done to all involved on a truly brilliant day. The best, most relaxed and enjoyable Echo Live for a long time. Keep your eyes peeled on the Echo Live page that will announce the Spring date after the dust has settled, and most definitely before Christmas.
Listen to Mark Mulcaster and Mark Newbold live at Echo Base Live 17 on Making Tracks episode 237.
