- The SAY Award has also announced the Modern Scottish Classic Award winner as Cocteau Twins’ ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’.
- The 10 shortlisted albums are now in the running for the SAY Award title and £20k prize at this year’s ceremony, including records from Fergus Mccreadie, Kathryn Joseph, Walt Disco and more.
- The SAY award also names the 5 finalists for the Sound of Young Scotland Award, with the winner being revealed at the ceremony on 20 October.
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – Scotland’s National Music Prize – has announced its ten-strong Shortlist, along with five Sound of Young Scotland Finalists and its Modern Scottish Classic Award Winner.
The latter two were introduced last year to further SAY’s commitment to honouring Scottish music throughout time; past, present and future. Nominees and winners of these awards – as well as the main album of the year prize – will be celebrated at the ceremony’s Stirling debut on Thursday 20 October at the Albert Halls during an evening of exclusive announcements and special live performances.
The highly anticipated SAY Award Shortlist recognises ten outstanding Scottish albums of the past year and the artists who created them. This year’s record-breaking 369 eligible album submissions were whittled down to a Longlist of 20 records by 100 impartial industry nominators.
Now, a panel of cultural tastemakers and industry professionals have selected nine of those to remain in the running for the SAY Award title, with the tenth Shortlisted album chosen by music fans via this year’s 72-hour online public vote.
As well as the winner receiving the £20,000 first prize – one of the most lucrative prize funds in the UK – the nine runners up take away £1,000 each as well as bespoke trophies created via The SAY Design Commission.
In alphabetical order, The SAY Award Shortlist for 2022 is:
- AiiTee – ‘Better Days’
- Constant Follower – ‘Neither Is, Nor Ever Was’
- Fergus McCreadie – ‘Forest Floor’
- Hamish Hawk – ‘Heavy Elevator’
- Hen Hoose – ‘Equaliser’
- Kathryn Joseph – ‘for you who are the wronged’
- Kobi Onyame – ‘Don’t Drink The Poison’
- Niteworks – ‘A’Ghrian’
- Proc Fiskal – ‘Siren Spine Sysex’
- Walt Disco – ‘Unlearning’
The 2022 judging panel includes Amina Shah (CEO, National Library of Scotland); Anneliese Harmon (General Manager, MMF); Corbyn Asbury (Label Relations Manager, YouTube); Dave Francis (Director, TRACS); Jackie Wylie(CEO / Artistic Director, National Theatre of Scotland); Jude McArdle (Membership Manager, AIM); Khaleda Noon(Executive Director, Intercultural Youth Scotland); Paul Black (Writer / Director / Comedian); Shereen Cutkelvin (Presenter, BBC Introducing) and Will Page (Author and Economist); now tasked with reconvening to together decide on this year’s Scottish Album of the Year.
Robert Kilpatrick, Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) / The SAY Award, said: “The SAY Award Shortlist recognises 10 of the best Scottish records of the last year, firmly showcasing the strength and diversity of Scotland’s recorded output in 2022. In just two weeks time, we’ll be celebrating and championing each of these records at Stirling’s Albert Halls, with one set to take the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year along with the £20,000 first prize. Massive congratulations and best of luck to all Shortlisted artists.
Today’s announcement also shines a spotlight on Scottish music’s exciting future as well as its inspiring past. Five young and emerging artists have been selected by a panel of former SAY nominees as finalists for the Sound of Young Scotland Award, with one set to receive a funding package worth up to £5,000 to help create their debut record. I’m also beyond delighted to see one of the most iconic (and one of my personal favourite) Scottish albums of all time – ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ by Cocteau Twins – announced as the winner of 2022’s Modern Scottish Classic Award; chosen by this year’s SAY Award nominees, and set to be honoured at the Ceremony.
Past, present and future, Scottish music is something to be cherished, celebrated and excited about. The SAY Award offers an important focal point for us to reflect on what our musical output says about who we are as a nation, and I look forward to recognising Scotland’s ever-evolving cultural identity and the work of some of our most exciting artists at the Ceremony later this month.”
In addition to the Shortlist announcement, The SAY Award is delighted to announce its Modern Scottish Classic Award Winner for 2022 as ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ by Cocteau Twins. Presented in association with YouTube Music, for a second year, the 20 SAY Award Longlisted artists voted for Scottish albums predating The SAY Award’s establishment that still inspire music being made in Scotland today. The SMIA assigned points to the albums each Longlisted artist submitted, and ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ emerged as 2022’s winner, and will be celebrated at The SAY Award ceremony later this month.
Elizabeth Fraser, Lead Vocalist of Cocteau Twins, said: “What a delightful surprise!!! Thank you for expressing such heartfelt affection for ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ and for presenting us with an award that we are thrilled and honoured to receive. Thank you so much.”
Lizzie Dickson, Head of Label Relations YouTube UK, said: “The Cocteau twins are a fine example of Scotland producing some of the greatest artists of our time. YouTube is committed to supporting and celebrating music, old and new, from across the UK. Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins is a stunning record and we couldn't be prouder to support the Modern Classic Album Award.”
The next generation of Scottish musical talent is also recognised for a second year, with the announcement of the five Sound of Young Scotland Finalists, ahead of the winner announcement at the Stirling ceremony.
Supported by Ticketmaster, the Youth Music Initiative and Youth Music, the finalists, narrowed down from 71 eligible submissions, include Berta Kennedy, Dead Pony, KLEO, Psweatpants and Uninvited. The winner will be decided by a diverse panel of previous SAY Award nominees including Brìghde Chaimbeul, Carla J. Easton, Christopher Duncan (C Duncan), Dave Hook (Stanley Odd), Declan Welsh (Declan Welsh & the Decadent West), Graham Costello (Graham Costello’s STRATA), Jubemi Iyiku (Bemz), Paul McGeechan (Starless), Rachael Swinton (Cloth), Stina Tweeddale (Honeyblood) and TAAHLIAH. The winner will receive a funding package worth up to £5,000 to support the creation of their debut album, including recording time at Tolbooth Stirling.
Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, said: “We’re really proud to be backing The Sound of Young Scotland Award once again, with investment from our Youth Music NextGen Fund. Working with innovative partners like the Scottish Music Industry Association is a crucial way we can continue diversifying the future of music across the UK. Every finalist this year is a worthy winner, so we wish them all the best and look forward to seeing their creative careers develop over the years.”
Morag McDonald, Youth Music Initiative Manager, said: “The platform and exposure of the Sound of Young Scotland Award enables emerging talent to take that all important next step in their artistic journey and connect with new audiences. This shortlist demonstrates the excitement and diversity of Scotland’s emerging artists who are driving the sound of a new generation. Good luck to each of the nominees.”
Andrew Parsons, Regional Vice President, Ticketmaster said: “This is Ticketmaster’s sixth year partnering with the SAY Award, and it’s incredible to see the notable pool of talent Scotland continues to produce. Congratulations to all who made this year’s Shortlist, and a particular shout out to the Sound of Young Scotland finalists – the superstars of tomorrow.”
Nominees across the three awards represent one of the most diverse genre spreads in the eleven years of SAY Award, showcasing Scotland’s eclectic musical landscape across time and at its best. Music fans are invited to join industry professionals in celebrating one of the most exciting nights in Scotland’s music calendar, with limited ceremony tickets available to buy via www.sayaward.com.
Background
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) is a not-for-profit trade body and membership organisation which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Rooted in the heart of Scotland, Stirling’s blossoming urban city centre is surrounded by diverse rural communities. The nation’s most cherished landmarks are found here, making Stirling alive with history, while a growing modern arts scene nurtures new cultural talent.
YouTube Music is a new music streaming service made for music listening, on top of the magic of YouTube: making the world of music easier to explore and more personalised than ever.
Ticketmaster is the global and local market leader in live event ticketing, digital marketing, and mobile fan engagement tools that drive over 500 million tickets to fans in 32 countries.
Founded in 1934, PPL is the UK music industry’s collective management organisation (CMO) for over 120,000 performers and record companies. We licence recorded music in the UK when it is played in public (shops, bars, nightclubs, offices etc.) or broadcast (BBC, commercial radio, commercial TV etc.) and ensure that revenue flows back to our members.
TheYouth Music Initiative is a music education programme with a vision to put music at the heart of young people’s lives and learning funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland. You can find out more about the programme on the Creative Scotland website.
Youth Music believes every young person should have the chance to change their life through music. Yet our research shows many can’t because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through.
Since its launch in London in July 2019, Music Declares Emergency has worked with the music industry and artists to harness the power of music to educate, inspire and engage the public with the climate emergency and to facilitate industry wide conversations to encourage and envision a sustainable music industry.
Go Forth Business Improvement District (BID) involves Stirling businesses working together and investing collectively in local improvements. For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Media contacts
Beth Harvey | [email protected] | 07792 219 162
Shona Bruce | [email protected] | 07740 948 719