Morecambe family announces popular punk festival will carry on

Tuesday, 7 June 2022 10:41

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A Morecambe family has announced that the town's longest running music festival will continue after all.

The Harrison family from Morecambe revealed that the Nice 'n' Sleazy punk festival will carry on, after the event was originally thought to be under threat.

Long-standing promoter Ivan Harrison will now hand the reins over to his daughter Samantha, who will be helped in running the event by her boyfriend Ian Dewhirst.

This year's festival took place last week (June 1-4), pulling in punk music fans from all over Europe to The Exchange and The Trimpell Club venues in Morecambe. Photo by Andy Slack.

Speaking to Beyond Radio before the festival, Ivan said this year's event could be the last because he "wasn't getting support from the people who run the town".

See related stories here:

Punk festival promoter "angry" after funding bid gets thumbs down from Morecambe Town Council - Beyond Radio

Nice 'n' Sleazy punk festival gets underway today - Beyond Radio

But Mr Harrison has now said the festival, which began in 2006, will continue into the future.

The dates of the 2023 festival have been confirmed as May 26-28.

Samantha said her dad was an "absolute hero and legend for what he has created".

"He's actually been asking me for years to take it off his hands and I've always said no but it was time to get serious and make a decision," she said.

"It has been really emotional and lots of tears but I've accepted to take a leap and carry on the festival with my dad mentoring me and the help of the amazing Sleazy team and of my amazing partner.

"I have massive shoes to fill and thank you dad for believing in me.

"Ticket sales will be announced very shortly as we work hard behind the scenes to continue to bring you the best Sleazy festivals. And hopefully for many more to come."

Here are some more photos from this year's Nice 'n' Sleazy event.