Hammerfest 2023 - The End?

I went to the Hammerfest event in Birmingham with a friend last weekend. Unfortunately, a large number of bands pulled out at fairly short notice. Still, some bands to see and still a good social event with plenty of opportunities for a couple of pints but a shadow of its former self (I have been a fair few times dating back to the Prestatyn days).

Personally, I've always enjoyed these events and several others (e.g., HRK Vikings which I attended in November) from the same promoters.

Personal highlight this time, not too sure as a lot of drinks had been consumed at various points but I did enjoy seeing Enquire Within again.

I'd love to see the various disputes resolved and have similar options in the future, I'll not give a view of the background, a search of the web will provide plenty so not much point in trying to repeat in all, but I guess it does underline the harsh realities of trying to put a commercially successful event together on this scale in what is ultimately a niche market at a time when there is not a lot of spare cash in public pockets.

Will we have the opportunity to be back in the future? I'd like to think so but suspect it is relatively unlikely.