Specsavers Scottish Music Awards returns to The Barrowland Ballroom for 2024

With Scottish legends Lulu and Travis, Dundee's own Kyle Falconer and rising Scots star Calum Bowie among the first winners to be announced.

Article Source: Specsavers Scottish Music Awards
Last Updated: 25 September 2024 13:45

The legendary Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow will once again be the stage for the highly anticipated Specsavers Scottish Music Awards on Saturday November 2nd, 2024. This year's ceremony promises to be a star-studded celebration of Scottish music, generating essential support for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.

In its fourth year at the Barrowland Ballroom, the awards ceremony will support Nordoff and Robbins to deliver transformational music therapy sessions, and help people break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation in Scotland.

In 26 years, over £1 million has been generously donated through the event which directly contributes to the training of music therapists in Scotland and research into the impact of music therapy on wellbeing.

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “We can’t wait for the 26th annual Scottish Music Awards in aid of Nordoff and Robbins. This event is vital in helping us to raise funds and achieve our mission of using the power of music to create space for vulnerable people to express themselves and find connection in society. Scotland's music scene is vibrant and inspiring, and we're grateful for the incredible talent and generosity of our artists and industry professionals. Together, we're continuing to make a positive impact on many lives.”

Jennifer Stephenson, Specsavers’ Scottish divisional chair, said: “Specsavers is proud to be the headline sponsor of the Scottish Music Awards for a sixth consecutive year.

“We can’t wait to see Scotland’s music industry come together for another show-stopping celebration that will raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins.

“Music therapy supports positive change and allows those in need to build confidence and improve social wellbeing. Helping people reach their full potential through their senses closely reflects the work we do at Specsavers through our optical and audiology work.

“We look forward to the event returning to Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom for what is sure to be another spectacular evening of music and fundraising.”

In alphabetical order, the first announced winners for this year’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards include:
Berkeley 2 Studios – Guitar Guitar Music Industry Award
Calum Bowie – Beavertown’s Breakthrough Award
Kyle Falconer – King Tuts’ Song Writing Award
LuLu – Scottish Icon Award sponsored by Rox
Travis – Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation

Specsavers Scottish Music Awards has a long history of honouring some of the biggest and best names in Scottish music – a theme set to continue this year with one of Scotland's most famous pop-exports, Lulu, taking home the Scottish Icon Award sponsored by Rox.

Having earned critical acclaim around the world, and with music that continues to inspire and influence artists today, Lulu said: “To be recognized as a Scottish icon is truly humbling. I've been incredibly fortunate to have had a 60-year career that has taken me all over the world, but Scotland has always been my home. It's an honour to be celebrated in this way, especially for a charity that does such incredible work.”

Hailing from Banchory, Calum Bowie, shot to fame after posting a series of TikTok's singing out of his Edinburgh window and is now the recipient of the Beavertown Breakthrough Award. In just over a year, the 23-year-old has gone from playing empty venues to performing at Scotland’s biggest music festival, TRNSMT. Ahead of his appearance at the ceremony, he says: “I’m genuinely shocked to be winning the Breakthrough Award, it’s a massive honour when you know who’s won it before and gone on to great things. So many of the previous winners inspired me to make music in the first place, like Emeli Sande, who was the first singer from my part of the world I saw go on to have global success. Amy Macdonald’s sound and pride in being Scottish were totally inspiring, I absolutely loved Nina Nesbitt from her first album onwards, Paolo was always in the air when I was growing up and Lewis Capaldi proved that you can do this job absolutely in your own way. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as them blows my mind and I hope I can live up to the legacy the Breakthrough Award has created. To be part of the show at the Barrowlands, which is the ultimate venue for every Scottish musician, is a dream come true and I can’t wait to help raise a ton of money to support the incredible work of Nordoff and Robbins.”

Having released their 10th studio album - and delighted audiences with their secret festival set at TRNSMT - Glasgow icons Travis are being presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation. As the band continues to move from strength to strength, Travis frontman Fran said:
“Nordoff and Robbins is close to the hearts of all in the musical community. As musicians, we all know the healing power of music. We see it at each show we play. Songs and melody are bookmarks in all of our lives. Nordoff and Robbins work with music therapy has changed the lives of so many people. We are humbled to be chosen by them as the recipients of this year’s Outstanding Achievement award. Please go to www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk to learn about the amazing work they do and see if you can lend a hand.”

A special award, the Guitar Guitar Music Industry Award will be awarded to Berkeley 2 Studios, or more importantly, the man who founded the UK’s largest iconic rehearsal studio, Steve Cheyne. A real Scottish Music Industry legend, Steve dedicated his life into making Berkeley the renowned rehearsal space it is today. From Beyonce to Iggy Pop to Glasgow’s own Lewis Capaldi, anyone who is anyone in the Music Scene has had the pleasure of working with Steve and so it is hugely appropriate that he is honoured amongst many of those who knew him.

Aiden Gallagher who is continuing Steve’s legacy in running Berkeley 2 Studios said: “Steve made a rehearsal studio into a community, he made it his business to care for people, to have that recognised will do his memory a great honour - as long as the door to Berkeley is open, Steve will still be with us.”

Dundee Rocker and The View frontman, Kyle Falconer, will have his songwriting talents recognised with a King Tut’s Songwriting Award. Kyle's raw and often personal lyrics have resonated with fans worldwide both in The View and as a solo artist. He’s now sharing his talents by penning songs for his peers, as well as running songwriting camps from his own retreat, La Sierra Casa.
Off the back of his win, Kyle said: “To be given this songwriting award means a lot to me. Being recognised for songwriting gives me a very proud moment in front of my family and the people who have been with me through all the highs and lows. There have been many highs and many lows, but music has given me so many opportunities that I never would have had if I didn’t pick up a guitar and start writing my first song back in the day.

Nordoff and Robbins work helping people via musical therapy is hugely on par with my own realisation around the powers of music. Giving people the tools to express themselves can lead to so much self-discovery. I know that from running my own music camp in Spain.”

Award-winning Fife broadcaster Edith Bowman returns as host, welcoming some of the biggest names in Scottish music alongside rising talent, all in the name of raising funds for the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity.

Edith Bowman said: “It is a genuine honour to be asked back host the Scottish Music Awards all in aid of the wonderful Nordoff and Robbins. Music can mean so much to people, for very different reasons, but never underestimate its power. That can be seen so clearly in the work that Nordoff and Robbins do, and through the work their music therapist do, they provide so many people with a chance to communicate, to smile, to live a better life.”

Donald C MacLeod MBE, Scottish Fundraising Chairman for Nordoff and Robbins added: “For 26 years, the Scottish Music Awards have been a beacon of celebration for our nation's music industry. This prestigious event continues to honour the exceptional talent and dedication of our musicians, songwriters, and artists who enrich our rich heritage.

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming awards ceremony, let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible power of music to break down barriers and create a space for expression and connection. Organisations like Nordoff and Robbins are at the forefront of harnessing this power, providing vital therapy sessions to individuals of all ages.

We’ve been able to offer over 37,000 therapy sessions across Scotland in the past year alone. As the need for these life-changing services grows, we look forward to raising even more money to help continue to fund this amazing organisation.”

Funds raised on the night via online donations, live auctions and ticket sales are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most. With more acts to be announced over the coming weeks, tickets are available to purchase via Simon Foy at simon.foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk.

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