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Ten talented songwriters have won a coverted spot at the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase FinalThis prestigious event takes place in its new home at the British Music Experience on Saturday 7th February 2026.
During the September entry period songwriters were invited to submit brand new songs inspired by works of art on public display across the Liverpool City Region.
Judges Kaya Herstad Carney, Robert Vincent, Jon Lawton, Luke Moore and Alison Benson listened to all of the entries and scored each one on lyrics, melody, composition, and originality.
After the marks were totalled the writers of the top ten placed songs were awarded places at the Showcase Final where they’ll perform their song with the work of art that inspired it projected on a screen for everyone to see. At the end of the evening the Judges’ Award Winner will be announced, and the Audience Favourite will be revealed.
From this year the Audience Favourite Award will be known as the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award in memory of popular local singer songwriter Chris Callander who sadly passed away in January 2026.
The Showcase Final will also feature performances from Operation Lightfoot and guests.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name)
Chloe Ferguson – Queen of the Hive
Chris Whitfield – Charabanc to Blackpool
Derek King – Face Off
Ed Jones – Nursery Rhyme For our Time
Helen Maw – A Million Dreams
James Chetter – Fires At Night
Jim Pearson – Flightless Birds
Mal Price – Embrace
Mike Ryan – Forever 20
Nathan Stephens – The Wrestler And The Wren
Doors at the British Music Experience on 7th February open at 7.00pm. The show starts promptly at 7.30pm and finishes at 10.30pm. Tickets are £12 from Skiddle, but they’re limited so you’ll have to be quick if you don’t want to miss out.
Proceeds will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of former Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones.
The winning songwriters in each category receive the following prizes.
Song professionally recorded by Jon Lawton at Crosstown Studios
Songwriting or singing lesson from Kaya Herstad Carney
Cello lesson or cello arrangement for song recording from Luke Moore
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
British Music Experience, Water Street,Liverpool, United Kingdom
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