On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the local creative scene in Huddersfield witnessed a unique convergence of mentorship and melody. Hosted at Amped, the Too Legit To Quit (T.L.T.Q) workshop offered a transformative experience for the next generation of music critics and storytellers.
Created by the Saving Grace Collective and produced in partnership with the Huddersfield Literature Festival, the event was specifically designed to bridge the gap between amateur music fandom and professional journalism.
“Music is a universal language, but finding the right words to describe its impact is a craft in itself. Seeing these young writers engage with Alex’s expertise at Amped was a highlight of this year’s festival fringe.”
Michelle Hodgson – Director of The Huddersfield Literature Festival
A Masterclass in Transdisciplinary Storytelling
The workshop was led by Alex Coles, a distinguished writer, author, and Professor of Transdisciplinary Studies at the University of Huddersfield. Known for his deep dives into the intersection of art, design, and sound—most notably in his works Fusion,Tainted Love , Crooner and his forthcoming book “Boys Don’t Cry.” —Coles brought a wealth of academic rigor and industry insight to the table.
Under his guidance, the 16 contest-winning participants were encouraged to look beyond the surface of a track. The session focused on analysis via the lens of Tainted Love:
- The Art of the Review: How to translate the ephemeral feeling of music into evocative prose.
- Contextual Deep-Dives: Understanding the historical and cultural threads that connect artists like Nina Simone to Kendrick Lamar.
- Cutting the fat: How to trim down your writing making it concise & direct.
- Effective writing: Communication the the emotive in a universal digestible, non rigid and less academic way. aka writing for the people,
Collaborative Roots
The T.L.T.Q is a testament to the power of local partnership. The Saving Grace Collective, founded by the visionary artist and producer Savvy , has long been a pillar of artist development in West Yorkshire. By joining forces with the Huddersfield Literature Festival—which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year—the workshop highlighted the festival’s commitment to “Go All In” for the National Year of Reading 2026.
“Music is a universal language, but finding the right words to describe its impact is a craft in itself. Seeing these young writers engage with Alex’s expertise at Amped was a highlight of this year’s festival fringe.”
Savvy – Director of The Saving Grace Collective
What’s Next?
The impact of the workshop doesn’t end at the exit doors of Amped. The participants, aged 16–30, now have the opportunity to see their refined pieces featured on the T.L.T.Q website, providing them with a professional platform to launch their careers.
As Huddersfield continues to cement its reputation as a hub for both musical innovation and literary excellence, events like T.L.T.Q ensure that the voices of the future are not just heard, but are “Too Legit To Quit.”
The people who attended produced incredible pieces of writing by the end of the day. Each one was a different take on a tainted love song. We had articles on Lana del Rey, Harry Styles, Marvin Gaye, My Bloody Valentine …. Easily the highest quality I’ve seen”
Alex Coles – Workshop Leader
A bonus
As a bonus to people for people that weren’t able to attend the workshop we’ve recorded the workshop and will be posting it online as a free remote access resource.
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