New Community Songwriting Workshop ‘Writing the City’ Launches As Part of Knowsley Summer of Music 2026
Award-winning Liverpool singer-songwriter Helen Maw is set to launch a brand new community songwriting project this July, following funding through Knowsley Summer of Music 2026.
Writing the City is a one-day songwriting workshop designed to encourage participants to explore Liverpool through its people, places, landmarks, memories and stories. Taking place on Sunday 26 July at Tarbock Village Hall, the workshop will invite songwriters of all experience levels to discover how one city can inspire countless different songs.
Rather than focusing on songwriting technique alone, the workshop centres around creativity, storytelling and personal interpretation. Participants will respond to a series of creative prompts throughout the day, including shared images of Liverpool landmarks, reflections on childhood memories and imagining Liverpool as a person. The workshop will conclude with an informal “in-the-round” sharing session, giving participants the opportunity to share their work in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The concept for Writing the City was inspired by the idea that no two people experience a city in quite the same way. By beginning with the same prompts, participants will create entirely different songs, demonstrating how individual perspectives shape the stories we tell through music.
The project has been developed by Helen Maw, who will deliver the workshop alongside fellow musician and songwriter Matthew Burke.
Helen said: “Writing the City has been something I’ve been working on for a number of months, so it’s incredibly exciting to finally bring it to life. Liverpool has inspired generations of songwriters, and I wanted to create a space where people could explore their own relationship with the city through songwriting, regardless of their experience. I’m really looking forward to hearing the different stories, perspectives and songs that emerge throughout the day.”
The workshop is free to attend thanks to funding from Knowsley Summer of Music 2026, although advance booking is essential due to limited places.
Writing the City
Sunday 26 July 2026
10:00am–4:00pm
Tarbock Village Hall, Knowsley
Free (booking required)
Ages 18+
Reserve a spot
Follow @writingthecity_liverpool for updates.
