Sign up for IQ Index
The latest industry news to your inbox.
The UK's National Rifle Association had provided the Surrey punk festival and "uncomfortable bedfellow" with its camping facilities for the past three years
By IQ on 08 Jan 2016
Following three years in Surrey village of Bisley, the punk/alternative Undercover Festival is moving to a new location at Brighton Racecourse for 2016 after the provider of its camping facilities, the UK’s National Rifle Association (NRA), elected not to renew the agreement.
The NRA’s CEO, Andrew Mercer, cited commercial considerations for the decision, although he did admit the two organisations were always “slightly uncomfortable bedfellows”. “You would have members finishing on the ranges wanting to go to the clubhouse for a drink, and you would have people from the festival coming back in making a bit of a racket,” he told Get Surrey.
Mick Moriaty, the founder of the festival, which rose from the ashes of GuilFest, counters: “It’s ridiculous. Surrey needs festivals like this. It gave people in Surrey the chance to listen to contemporary alternative music.
“I’m from Surrey, all my crew are from Surrey. All we want to do is play our music and have a good time, but some people think that because it’s all punk and ska we’re up to no good.”