The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase Final is an annual event where the ten finalists get to perform their song in front of a live audience with a picture of the work of art that inspired it projected on the screen for all to see.
This year this prestigious event takes place in its new home, the British Music Experience on Saturday 7th February 2026.
At the end of the evening the Judges’ Award Winner will be announced, and the Audience Favourite will be revealed.
Many people may not be aware that Chris Callander, one of this year’s entrants and a long time supporter of Liverpool Acoustic, passed away suddenly in his sleep earlier this month. This has come as a huge shock to everyone who knew him personally or met him in passing at an event. We at Liverpool Acoustic wanted to do something in his memory so from this year onwards the Audience Favourite Award will be known as the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award.
The Showcase Final will open with a performance from Operation Lightfoot and guests. The evening will also feature a special tribute to Chris Callander performed by Thom Morecroft.
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.
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.
Event Details:
- What: Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase Final
- When: Friday 7th February 2026
- Times: 7.00pm doors, 7.30pm start
- Where: British Music Experience, Cunard Building
- Tickets: £12 from Skiddle