The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is a truly unique event where songwriters are challenged to write a brand new song inspired by a local work of art.
Now in its sixteenth year the Songwriting Challenge welcomes back judges Jon Lawton (Owner/producer, Crosstown Studios), Kaya Herstad Carney (musician/vocal coach), and Luke Moore (composer/Operation Lightfoot). They’ll be joined by Robert Vincent (award-winning musician and songwriter), and Alison Benson (musician, music teacher, and multiple Challenge winner).
What do I have to do?
To enter the Challenge a songwriter must visit the Liverpool City Region (Merseyside and Halton) during the entry period of 1st to 30th September and choose a piece of art that inspires them to write a new song. The songwriter or songwriters (collaborations are allowed) can choose any work of art on public display in the Liverpool City Region during the entry period. The art can be a painting, mural, statue, sculpture, stained glass window, pavement art, or anything else generally accepted as ‘art’.
Songwriters have one month from the launch date to write the song and submit it as a basic recording along with a copy of the lyrics and a photo of the art. The judges listen to the art-inspired songs, read the lyrics and look at the photo before marking each one on lyrics, melody, composition and originality.
The ten highest scoring songs will be revealed at the end of November and will be performed at the Showcase Final. This event will take place at the British Music Experience in February 2027 when the Judges’ Award winner will be announced. The audience on the night will vote for the Chris Callander Audience Favourite award.
What are the prizes?
The winning songwriters in the two categories – Judges Award and Audience Favourite – receive the following prizes:-
- Song professionally recorded by judge Jon Lawton at Liverpool’s Crosstown Studios.
- A two hour vocal or songwriting lesson, from judge Kaya Herstad Carney.
- A cello lesson or a cello part on the song recording, from Operation Lightfoot’s Luke Moore.
What does Graham say?
Liverpool Acoustic’s Graham Holland says:-
“When I started the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge in 2011 I never thought it would still be going 16 years later! It’s exciting to watch the entries come in from a mix of new participants and seasoned Songwriting Challenge entrants. Judges Kaya, Jon, Robert, Alison and Luke will once again have their work cut out to score them all. I don’t envy them at all!“
What else do I need to know?
The Songwriting Challenge is open to anyone of any age living in the UK. However, entrants must have visited the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, and Halton) between 1st September and the closing date of 30th September.
The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is free to enter.
The full rules and conditions of entry are available on the Songwriting Challenge website with the entry form opening early September.
Showcase Final – February 2027
Tickets for the Showcase Final in February 2026 will be available from the beginning of December 2026. All profits raised will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones who died in May 2011.
Previous winner
Helen Maw (centre) was the winner of both the Judges’ Award for 2025 and the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award with her song A Million Dreams. Read all about it on the Liverpool Acoustic website.