The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase Final took place at the British Music Experience on Saturday 7th February 2026.
A sold out venue saw each of the finalists performing their song with a picture of the work of art that inspired it displayed for all to see on the eight screens surrounding the performance space.
At the end of the night Helen Maw was announced as the winner of both the Judges’ Award and the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award with her song A Million Dreams. This is only the third time in sixteen years that a finalist has won both awards.
Before the winners were announced, local musician Thom Morecroft paid tribute to Chris Callander who passed away at the beginning of the year, and performed one of Chris’ songs – Back In The Old World. After Thom’s performance it was announced that the Audience Favourite Award has been renamed the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award in his memory.
During the September 2025 entry period 22 songwriters submitted brand new songs inspired by art on display across the Liverpool City Region. Judges Jon Lawton, Kaya Herstad Carney, Robert Vincent, Luke Moore and Alison Benson listened to all of the entries and gave each a score based on lyrics, melody, composition and originality.
The points from the judges were added together and the songwriters with the ten highest scores were awarded a place at the Showcase Final. At the end of the event the audience get to vote for the Chris Callander Audience Favourite Award.
Helen was joined on stage by violinist Jess Holding and vocalist Christy Bellis.
Helen will get her songs professionally recorded by Jon Lawton at Crosstown Studios, a cello arrangement for the recording from Luke Moore, plus a songwriting or singing lesson from Kaya Herstad Carney.
The £1,000 raised from tickets to the Showcase Final will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of former Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones.
