SAY Award opens for 2024 with fans and artists encouraged to submit albums
Scotland's national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year Award, has launched, inviting artists, music fans and labels to submit eligible albums and be in the running for the prestigious prize.
Article Source: SAY Award
Last Updated: 11 July 2024 11:14
Returning to Stirling’s Albert Halls for the third year running, The SAY Award will celebrate the cultural impact and contribution of outstanding Scottish albums, with the winning record awarded a £20,000 prize and the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year.
Submit eligible albums for free via www.sayaward.com - submissions close midnight Wednesday 31st July 2024.
The SAY Award Ceremony will return to Stirling’s iconic Albert Halls for the third year in a row, taking place on Thursday 24th October. 2023’s Ceremony saw history made as Young Fathers became the first artist to win The SAY Award for the third time, with the band recently returning to the city to headline their own festival in Stirling City Park at the end of July. Early-bird tickets for 2024’s SAY Award Ceremony are on sale now via www.sayaward.com.
In The SAY Award’s thirteenth year, artists, music fans, labels and more will be encouraged to submit eligible albums for free, to be in with the chance of winning. To be considered for 2024’s award, eligible albums must have been released between 1st June 2023 and 31st May 2024. To submit albums, plus view eligibility criteria and guidelines for 2024’s award, visit www.sayaward.com.
Previous SAY Award winners include Young Fathers, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai, Anna Meredith and more, with the past twelve months seeing releases from the likes of The Snuts, Teenage Fanclub, Becky Sikasa, Erland Cooper, Rachel Sermanni and The Jesus and Mary Chain, all of which could be submitted for consideration. Since its inception in 2012, The SAY Award has distributed over £350,000 in prize money to Scottish artists, recognising outstanding albums across multiple genres.
The SAY Award winner will receive a £20,000 prize and the prestigious title of Scottish Album of the Year, whilst nine runners up will each receive £1,000, as well as bespoke prizes created by a Stirling-based artist through The SAY Award Design Commission. Accompanying the main album of the year prize, the Modern Scottish Classic Award will recognise an iconic album that still inspires Scottish musicians today, and the Sound of Young Scotland Award – supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music – will recognise a young and emerging artist, providing them with a funding package to support the creation of their debut album. 2023’s Modern Scottish Classic winner was Paolo Nutini’s ‘These Streets’, with Edinburgh-based duo No Windows collecting The Sound of Young Scotland Award.
On Thursday 24 October, Scotland’s national music prize will once again see the country’s music industry unite at Stirling’s Albert Halls to celebrate the strength and diversity of Scotland’s musical talent. The SAY Award will form part of a year-long celebration of Stirling’s 900th anniversary, as the city becomes a hub of live events including the recent Stirling Summer Sessions, a special Twin Atlantic show, the inaugural ‘Interesting Things’ music festival, performances from former SAY nominee Becky Sikasa, as well as performances by artists such as Horse, Turin Brakes, Hue and Cry, Huey Morgan from the Fun Lovin’ Criminals and much much more. For more info, visit stirlingevents.org
The 900th anniversary celebrations also include a series of SAY Award Fringe events at The Tolbooth in the heart of Stirling. The shows will feature special live performances from previous SAY Award nominees who will play the records that saw them nominated for Scotland’s national music prize in full. Stay tuned for the line-up and visit www.stirlingevents.org for more information on Stirling 900.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “Scottish music is the soundtrack and stories of our lives. As we commence our thirteenth year delivering Scotland’s national music prize, the SMIA remains firmly committed to celebrating and championing music as an invaluable expression of our cultural identity; amplifying its diverse narratives to enrich society and drive audience development.
“The last few years have been difficult for the cultural sector, with soaring costs, strains on public funding and economic pressures across the board. Thanks to the support of our partners, today marks the start of a 4-month celebration of Scotland’s word-class recorded output. We look forward to immersing ourselves in this year’s eligible albums, and to returning to Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October for 2024’s SAY Award Ceremony. It will undoubtedly be another incredible night to remember, and I hope many of you can join us.”
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “We’re incredibly proud to be welcoming The Scottish Album of the Year Award ceremony back to Stirling for the third consecutive year as the city marks its 900th anniversary.
“Following the success of the events held in 2022 and 2023 at our beautiful Albert Halls venue, we can’t wait to welcome back artists and visitors to celebrate the very best in new Scottish music and showcase everything Stirling has to offer.
“Fresh from the success of Stirling Summer Sessions festival and Twin Atlantic selling out the Tolbooth Stirling in a matter of minutes last week, Stirling continues to show it’s a top-class events location with a vibrant music and creative scene in its 900th year.”
The SAY Award Design Commission has also opened expressions of interest - meaning artists and makers based in the Stirling Council area can register interest to create bespoke prizes for this year’s award winners and nominees; highlighting the enduring links between music, art and design in Scotland. The commissioned artist will be tasked with designing awards with sustainability at the forefront.
Once all eligible albums have been collated for The SAY Award, 100 impartial ‘Nominators’, chosen from sectors including journalism, music retail and music venues across Scotland, nominate and rank their five favourite albums in order of preference. The SMIA assigns a score to each title in a Nominator’s Top 5, before announcing the 20 highest scoring albums as The SAY Award Longlist.
The Longlist will then be whittled down to a Shortlist of 10 albums, one of which will be chosen by music fans via a 72-hour online public vote. The remaining nine albums will be chosen by The SAY Award judging panel, before judges then choose the winning album, exclusively announced at 2024’s ceremony.
The SAY Award is a Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) production. The SAY Award 2024 is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Stirling Council, Stirling Alive with Culture, Seabass Vinyl, Ticketmaster, Help Musicians, HMV, FOPP, PPL, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative, Youth Music and Music Declares Emergency.
The SAY Award’s charity partner is once again Scotland’s national children’s and young people’s mental health charity, Tiny Changes, set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison to help young minds feel better.
Now in its thirteenth year, previous winners of The SAY Award include; Young Fathers ‘Heavy Heavy’ (2023), Fergus McCreadie ‘Forest Floor’ (2022), Mogwai ‘As The Love Continues' (2021), Nova ‘Re-Up’ (2020), Auntie Flo ‘Radio Highlife’ (2019), Young Fathers ‘Cocoa Sugar’ (2018), Sacred Paws ‘Strike A Match’ (2017), Anna Meredith ‘Varmints’ (2016), Kathryn Joseph ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ (2015), Young Fathers ‘Tape Two’ (2014), RM Hubbert ‘Thirteen Lost & Found’ (2013) and the inaugural winner Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ (2012).
Early-bird SAY Award Ceremony tickets on sale now via www.sayaward.com £18 + booking fee
Image credit: Ryan Buchanan
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Edinburgh Butter Company announces search for the Best Croissant in Scotland
The Edinburgh Butter Company is excited to announce the launch of Scotland’s first-ever croissant competition, open to bakers across the country.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire communities encouraged to participate in Spotless September
Renfrewshire residents who want to help make their local neighbourhoods cleaner and more inviting places to live, work and visit are being encouraged to take part in Spotless September.
READ MORE
Get ready to be blown away... Twisters returns to 4DX at Cineworld
Hold onto your popcorn, because Cineworld is thrilled to announce the whirlwind return of the blockbuster hit Twisters to 4DX screens nationwide, due to an overwhelming tornado of popular demand!
READ MORE
The Force reawakens at Vue venues in Scotland this September as the Star Wars saga returns to the big screen
Film fans are invited to revisit a galaxy far, far away this September as every main Star Wars film brings some of cinema's most iconic heroes and villains back to the big screen.
READ MORE
Great Scottish Run: 4 weeks to go
Are you ready to take on Scotland's greatest running event at this year's AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday 6 October?
READ MORE
Unique venue offers the perfect stage
Festival-goers attending the fourth Music at the Multiverse festival at the weekend enjoyed fantastic live music, sunshine and showers in one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor venues.
READ MORE
Thousands from Northern Ireland set sail for Scottish universities
Students go FREE with Stena Line on Cairnryan and Liverpool routes.
READ MORE
Iconic buildings across Renferwshire set to welcome visitors for Doors Open Days 2024
Spectacular venues across Renfrewshire will welcome visitors as part of Doors Open Days, which includes a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Paisley's weaver poet, Robert Tannahill.
READ MORE
Scottish Borders winter light trail, Monteviot Lights, returns for a second year
Prepare to be enchanted once again this winter as Monteviot Lights returns to Monteviot House & Gardens!
READ MORE
Book early for Breakfast with Santa at Cardwell Garden Centre
Santa Claus may be coming to town, but he's also coming to Cardwell Garden Centre to join youngsters for a series of special festive breakfasts.
READ MORE
Galoshans Festival 2024 Returns for Spooktacular 10th Anniversary
Get ready for ghoulish grins and festive fun - Inverclyde’s beloved Galoshans Festival returns for its 10th anniversary!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire Council launches survey to get residents views on events programme
Renfrewshire Council has launched a survey to find out what residents think of its events programme as it approaches the end of its current three-year plan.
READ MORE
Social Bite encourages Scotland to hop, skip or jump to help end homelessness
Participants can choose any novel way of racking up 100 miles this September to help raise crucial funds for those who need it most in the UK.
READ MORE
Entertainers launch brand new Michael Jackson tribute show, Man in the Mirror
Today, on what would have been Michael Jackson's 66th Birthday, entertainers launch their brand-new show; Man in the Mirror – A Tribute to Michael Jackson.
READ MORE
Annual Salvesen Lecture at University of Edinburgh will address ADHD in Women and Girls
Distinguished Senior Consultant Physician and psychiatrist Lotta Borg Skoglund will present groundbreaking research which challenges outdated views on female ADHD.
READ MORE
Montpeliers founders among winners at the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub awards!
The winners of the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards have been revealed!
READ MORE
Paisley Arts Centre reopens after multi million pound refurbishment
Paisley Arts Centre is proud to announce its grand reopening following a stunning multimillion-pound refurbishment that has transformed the venue into a premier cultural hub in the heart of Paisley.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival is back this September
With Chef Demos, Cocktail & Mocktail Masterclasses and Wild Food Walks!
READ MORE
Celebrate National Cinema Day at Vue venues across Scotland
Film fans can get their big screen fix at Vue for just £4 this Saturday (31 August) as part of National Cinema Day!
READ MORE
Nominees announced for Scots Language Awards 2024
The nominees have been unveiled for the Scots Language Awards 2024, with 50 outstanding organisations and individuals in the running for 12 awards at the annual ceremony next month.
READ MORE
Dynamic double bill from Scottish Dance Theatre set to tour the UK this Autumn
Fresh from a hit run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it earned critical and audience acclaim, Scottish Dance Theatre is taking its groundbreaking double-bill The Flock & Moving Cloud on tour.
READ MORE
The Village celebrates two years with special event for new parents with care experience in Paisley
The Why Not? Trust is delighted to announce a special event to celebrate the second anniversary of The Village, taking place in Paisley this week.
READ MORE
Prepare your garden for spring with Dobbies
As the cooler days of Autumn approach, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting families and gardening enthusiasts to gear up for a colourful spring with its free monthly Grow How sessions this September.
READ MORE
Phase Eight opens second Glasgow store
Phase Eight is delighted to announce the opening of its latest store in Braehead Shopping Centre.
READ MORE
Spooktacular Glasgow returns for a 4th year at Silverburn!
The kids are back in school and the dark nights are creeping in so it can only mean one thing... Hallowe'en is on the horizon and Spooktacular is back!
READ MORE
Local views wanted for the development of Erskine Town Centre
Local residents in Erskine are being encouraged to take part in a consultation which sets out potential improvements to the town centre and riverfront.
READ MORE
Glasgow kickstarts countdown to biggest AJ Bell Great Scottish Run yet
There's just over 6 weeks to go until this year's AJ Bell Great Scottish Run and it's expected to be a sell out!
READ MORE
Film & Comic Con returns to Braehead this weekend!
Braehead Shopping Centre is thrilled to announce the return of Film & Comic Con this weekend, hosted in Braehead Arena.
READ MORE
Vue venues in Scotland celebrate 85 years of Batman with the return of eight classic films
The Caped Crusader turned 85 this year and to celebrate Vue venues across Scotland are showcasing some of the comic book hero’s most loved films.
READ MORE
Garden Centre unveils magical experiences for families across the UK
Dobbies Garden Centres is readying itself for Santa's arrival and counting down the days to spread festive joy this Christmas, as it unveils a magical array of fun, great value events!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"
