Liverpool Acoustic exists to support the acoustic music scene in and around Liverpool and the Greater Merseyside area. We do this via our

  • social media
  • website
  • live music events
  • challenges
  • podcast

Social media

Liverpool Acoustic is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. If you’d like us to share something for us get in touch.


Website

The Liverpool Acoustic website was launched by Graham Holland in 2008. A songwriter and regular performer at the time, Graham ran and co-hosted the Come Strut Your Stuff open floor poetry and acoustic music night at Liverpool’s Egg Cafe from 2000 to 2011. It was here he was regularly asked the question “Where else can I play in Liverpool?” He knew that there were lots of acoustic events happening in and around Liverpool, but that it was difficult to find out information about them. So the idea for the Liverpool Acoustic website was born.

For nine years the website hosted an online diary of local acoustic nights, folk clubs and open mic events. However, this was retired in 2017 when it became impossible to keep the information accurate and up to date. Information about what’s going on is now shared on the website and social media platforms.

The Liverpool Acoustic website publishes reviews of music releases and live shows, along with interviews and features. We’re always on the look out for new contributers so if you love music and are interested in joining our writing team get in touch.

The first Liverpool Acoustic website, launched April 2008

Live music events

Liverpool Acoustic currently promotes live music events at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s Music Room and LEAF on Bold Street. Over the years we’ve used a range of other venues including Bluecoat garden, Kazimier Garden, Parr Street Studio 2, Thornton Hough Village Club & Bar, St Bride’s Church, and our original venue, the much missed View Two Gallery on Mathew Street.

Our Liverpool Acoustic Live events at the View Two Gallery won Music Night of the Year at the Liverpool Music Awards in 2012 and 2013.

All of our current events can be found at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/events

Open mics

Over the years we’ve run a number of weekday open mics at venues such as The Baltic Social, Sound Food and Drink, 81 Renshaw, and more recently the Pig and Whistle. We also ran the occasional Liverpool Acoustic Afternoon on Saturday afternoons at 81 Renshaw.

Festivals and other events

Liverpool Acoustic has hosted performances at local events and festivals, including Threshold, Above the Beaten Track, the Liverpool Acoustic Festival, Liverpool Calling, and Folk on the Dock.


Challenges

Songwriting Challenge

The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge was launched in 2011 in memory of Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones. The challenge is for songwriters to write a brand new song inspired by a work of art. Originally we used the art on display at the View Two Gallery, but when that closed we widened it out to any art on public display in the Liverpool City Region.

24 Hour Songwriting Challenge

Launched in 2018 in association with Threshold Festival, the 24 Hour Songwriting Challenge challenges songwriters to write a new song in 24 hours. In the first two years songwriters had to be inspired by the Threshold theme. In 2020 and 2021 songwriters had to pick a work of art from our online gallery.

24 Hour Art Challenge

Launched in 2021, artists had 24 hours to create a brand new work of art inspired by the Threshold theme. These submissions formed the gallery of art for the 24 Hour Songwriting Challenge.

Full details can be found at challenge.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk


Podcast

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is an audio show hosted by Graham Holland and Stuart Todd. It started in 2008 and each episode features music from local and regional artists.

For more information about the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight, including how to listen and how to submit your own music, visit liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/spotlight/about

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.