SAY Award opens public vote
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album, plus announces Karen Dunbar and more as judges.
Article Source: The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award
Last Updated: 30 September 2024 9:29
VOTE FROM 00.01AM MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER - WEDNESDAY 11.59PM 2 OCTOBER
#SAYaward
30th September - Scotland’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album. The SAY Award’s 72 hour public vote is open now, meaning the public can back their favourite Longlisted album to secure its place on 2024’s Shortlist: remaining in the running to win the coveted title and £20,000 first place prize.
The free vote is now open via www.sayaward.com - fans have 72 hours to back their favourite record, with a diverse range of albums in the running from the likes of Arab Strap, Barry Can’t Swim, Becky Sikasa, Theo Bleak, The Snuts and more. Voting closes 11.59pm Wednesday 2nd October.
Plus, The SAY Award has revealed 2024’s judging panel includes Scottish actor and comedian Karen Dunbar, author Doug Johnstone, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Stephanie Cheape, V&A Dundee Director Leonie Bell, Amazon Music’s Hazel Berry and more.
Music fans can vote once per person, choosing between 20 albums on The SAY Award Longlist, from trad to jazz, metal to indie and more. The album with the most public votes will be guaranteed a place on the 10-strong Shortlist, taking home a minimum prize of £1,000 and remaining in the running to win the title of Scottish Album of the Year and a £20,000 prize.
The SAY Award Longlist:
Afterlands We Are the Animals in the Night
Amy Laurenson Strands
Arab Strap I'm totally fine with it 'don't give a fuck anymore'
Barry Can't Swim When Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
Bee Asha Goodbye, Gracious
Blue Rose Code Bright Circumstance
Broken Chanter Chorus Of Doubt
corto.alto Bad With Names
Dead Pony IGNORE THIS
Empire State Bastard Rivers of Heresy
Fergus McCreadie Stream
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand Willson Williams
Lucia & The Best Boys Burning Castles
Malin Lewis Halocline
Mama Terra The Summoned
Rachel Sermanni Dreamer Awake
rEDOLENT dinny greet
The Snuts Millennials
Theo Bleak Pain
The nine other albums on the Shortlist will be chosen by an esteemed judging panel, chaired by culture journalist and music professional Arusa Qureshi. The Shortlist will be announced Thursday 3rd October, with The SAY Award winner unveiled at this year’s Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 24th October at Stirling’s Albert Halls. Buy tickets for The SAY Award Ceremony now via www.sayaward.com.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said, “Each year, The SAY Award public vote is a chance for music fans to have their SAY and help determine the Scottish Album of the Year. The public’s choice will be guaranteed a place in this year’s Shortlist, securing them a minimum prize of £1,000 and keeping them in the running to win the overall prize of £20,000.
“We encourage music fans across Scotland to get involved, back their favourite record and have their SAY by taking part in the public vote. Best of luck to this year’s Longlist - it’s a truly fantastic snapshot of Scottish music from the past year, and we’re looking forward to celebrating these records and more, at The SAY Award Ceremony next month.”
2024’s judging panel will reconvene at The SAY Award Ceremony to choose the ultimate winner. This year’s judging panel is: Alistair Braidwood (Owner/Host, Scots Whay Hae!), Briana Pegado (Author & Founder, Good Trouble Co.), David Pollock (Journalist), Doug Johnstone (Author), Hazel Berry (Artist Relations & Amazon Originals Lead, Amazon Music), Karen Dunbar (Comedian/Actress/Entertainer), KevTame (Music Industry Professional, Welsh Music Prize Organiser), Leonie Bell (Director, V&A Dundee), Paul Bonham (Professional Development Director, Music Manager’s Forum), Sabrina Henry (Head of Programme, CCA), Stephanie Cheape (Singer/songwriter and BBC Introducing Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland).
All Shortlisted artists receive a trophy designed by Dunblane glass maker Elin Isaksson via The SAY Award Design Commission, as well as a prize of £1,000. The SAY Award winner takes home the ultimate prize of £20,000 plus a bespoke trophy, which will be made from recycled and molten glass.
One of the most highly anticipated nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, music fans can buy tickets to attend The SAY Award Ceremony, joining an audience of artists, industry professionals, press and cultural tastemakers to celebrate outstanding Scottish music, with a series of special live performances on the night. The SAY Award judging panel will reconvene to select 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year Award winner, exclusively announced at 2024’s ceremony, alongside this year’s Modern Scottish Classic and Sound of Young Scotland winners.
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, Music Declares Emergency and Hotel Colessio (hotel partner for The SAY Award Ceremony).
The SAY Award’s charity partner is 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).
SAY Award Ceremony tickets are on sale now via www.sayaward.com
£18 + booking fee
Don’t miss The SAY Award 2024 news - follow the award on social media across Tw @itterSAYaward, Instagram @sayaward, Facebook @SAYaward and TikTok @thesayaward
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
21 Edinburgh businesses shortlisted in the British Business Awards
21 Edinburgh based companies are among the 143 from across the UK now vying for the top spot at the British Business Awards!
READ MORE
Giant gold girder stuns Scots as competition heats up
With three 18-carat golden girders worth £10,000 still out there, IRN-BRU unveils giant hanging girder to encourage Scots to get on the hunt!
READ MORE
The Causey to host first free on street projection event of the year
This Saturday 22 March, The Causey will be brought to life by Folk Tales for New Scots, a one-off exhibition, live storytelling and on-street projection event.
READ MORE
Open To Ideas Residency returns to Capital Theatres, The Studio
Now in it's third year, Open To Ideas, part of Open@TheStudio kicks off its residency programme this week with the first of four brand new projects.
READ MORE
Citadel Arts Group Celebrates 30th Birthday
2025 is Leith-based Citadel Arts Group 30th birthday and the group are marking the occasion in Leith Dockers Club, their home for the past twelve years, with a special ‘Play, Pie and Pint’.
READ MORE
Family fun awaits at Vue venues across Scotland this Easter break
From Wallace & Gromit to Sonic the Hedgehog, there’s plenty to enjoy at Vue venues across Scotland this Easter break.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo to welcome sloth bears for the first time
Sloth bears will call the capital home for the first time ever as Edinburgh Zoo works to build a new habitat for the vulnerable species.
READ MORE
Introducing Moment George IV Bridge: A new standard in thoughtful hospitality
Edinburgh's hospitality scene has a new landmark... Moment George IV Bridge isn't just another Aparthotel - it's a reimagination of what a city stay can be.
READ MORE
Walk for Wellbeing expands to Edinburgh to champion wellbeing in hospitality
UK charity Hospitality Action’s annual fundraising event, Walk for Wellbeing, continues to grow in its sixth year by welcoming Edinburgh to the initiative.
READ MORE
New sculpture encouraging more women to pursue engineering roles comes to Scotland
The sculpture, by acclaimed artist Kelly Anna, represents engineer Alice Kan who played a key role in the manufacture of the Covid-19 vaccine and will be displayed at City Art Centre.
READ MORE
Somewhere By Nico Launches Its New Latin America Inspired Menu In Edinburgh
Somewhere by Nico is launching its highly anticipated new food and cocktail menu, transporting guests through the vibrancy, spirit, and soul of Latin America.
READ MORE
Foodies alert! Loch Lomond Springfest is back
Loch Lomond Springfest, one of Scotland's biggest FREE food festivals, is back on the 5th and 6th April at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has curated a unique experience to help guests unwind
To mark World Sleep Day, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is introducing the Sleep Retreat Essential Spa Break, designed to help guests prioritise rest and relaxation.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival Programme 2025
Edinburgh International Festival Breaks Boundaries in a Year Exploring ‘The Truth We Seek', with 24 days of world-class opera, dance, music and theatre!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival has all the ingredients for the perfect foodie day out!
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next month and looks set to be the biggest yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before.
READ MORE
New arrival spotted in Edinburgh
The world’s fastest land animal is back at Edinburgh Zoo as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) welcomed four-year-old Billy the cheetah.
READ MORE
Civerinos earns a place on the Time Out list of best pizzas in the world
Fighting off stiff competition from around the globe and coming in at a lucky number 13 on the list, Civerinos’ New Haven-style pizza grabbed the food critics’ attention for all the right reasons.
READ MORE
March at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Rugby to Mother's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events this March!
READ MORE
From the East to Edinburgh: Aga Khan Music Programme at the Edinburgh International Festival
The Aga Khan Music Programme (AKMP), one of the most extensive music preservation and education programmes in the world, and the Edinburgh International Festival will collaborate once again in 2025.
READ MORE
Visitors to celebrate 2,000 years of history at summer events
Over 2,000 years of history will be celebrated this summer as Historic Environment Scotland announces its 2025 summer events programme!
READ MORE
Casting Announced for Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Edinburgh Playhouse
Casting is announced as rehearsals are underway for the first ever World Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the multi-award-winning hit stage show, which opens in Edinburgh in April 2025.
READ MORE
Flight Club is the ideal alternative place to take your mum for brunch
If you're looking for something a bit different for Mother's Day that is also loads of fun, an activity bar like Flight Club is a great option!
READ MORE
The Bodyguard returns to Edinburgh
Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian, are delighted to announce the return of the award-winning smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 18th to 23rd May 2026.
READ MORE
Come and experience the Ideal Home Show Scotland this Spring!
Get ready, Scotland! Ideal Home Show Scotland sponsored by EcoFlow is back at Glasgow's SEC from 23rd - 26th May 2025 and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our followers!
READ MORE
Cineworld brings back IMAX Film Fest
Cineworld, the UK's leading cinema chain, will be holding its eighth annual IMAX Film Fest on Saturday 15th March, with tickets on sale for only £5!
READ MORE
Discover the best of Belfast on a day trip from Scotland
A beautiful city with a rich history, high street favourites, independent boutiques and a giant adventure to explore around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible experiences to be had!
READ MORE
Dobbies welcomes applications for community gardens initiative
Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming applications for Dobbies Community Gardens, offering local schools, charities and community groups the opportunity to receive support for their green spaces.
READ MORE
Johnnie Walker Vault opens door to a New Era of luxury Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker, the world’s leading Scotch Whisky1, announces the global launch of Johnnie Walker Vault in the brand’s most ambitious expression of blending artistry yet.
READ MORE
Six by Nico unveils brand new six course tasting menu, The Italian
Six by Nico's Road Trip, inspired by Chef Nico Simeone's Italian heritage and travels, will take you on a culinary journey through Italy!
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia reveals plans for new world class visitor centre and retails experience
The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh has revealed its plans to open a new world-class visitor centre and retail experience to elevate their visitor journey from spring 2025.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links