Concerts & Events

The Working Songwriter Forum is a 3-day experience packed with concerts, workshops, discussions, writing and more!
Spend June 4-6 weekend with the host and creator of The Working Songwriter podcast, Joe Pug, alongside the legendary Dan Wilson, frontman of Semisonic, writer of such hits as “Someone Like You” (Adele), “White Horse” (Chris Stapleton), “Not Ready To Make Nice” (The Chicks), and more, as well as Liz Longley, Luke Preston (Big Loud Publishing), and Old Town School teaching artist Jonas Friddle, immersing yourself in a musical weekend dedicated to the craft of songwriting.

The main event is an intensive songwriting workshop schedule taught by some of Old Town School's veteran teaching artists alongside our special guest hosts. Dan Wilson is a prolific writer who has written some of the most iconic songs of the modern American songbook. Liz Longley is a singer-songwriter who, in addition to her critically-acclaimed records, has received the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Prize. New to the event is teacher-at-large Luke Preston, a writer for Big Loud Publishing who has written and performed with Reliant K, Elvie Shane, and more. Lastly, returning from the inaugural The Working Songwriter Forum, Old Town School teaching artist Jonas Friddle won the John Lennon Songwriting Award, as well as many other accolades, and performs with his indie-folk supergroup, The Majority.

These workshops will give attendees the opportunity to showcase their newly-written tunes and to participate in other special performances as well as ample time to write and collaborate. Throughout the entire event, Joe Pug will be your roving host - troubleshooting song lyrics with you, helping you tackle the bridge, or joining you in on a chorus. He will be there to aid and abet you, to connect you with your teachers and fellow songwriters, to hang out and talk shop, and maybe even have a beer. Whether you're a grizzled veteran or a scrappy upstart, songwriters of all experience levels are encouraged to attend!

Each day of The Working Songwriter Forum will culminate in an evening concert with Joe Pug, Dan Wilson, Liz Longley, and Jonas Friddle.