MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards returned to Dundee’s Caird Hall, live & on screens, for its celebratory 20th anniversary on Sunday 4 December 2022.
The popular annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, which recently won a Royal Society of Television Award with MG ALBA and production company BEEZR TV, held a spectacular once-in-a-generation night to remember, including live performances from Elephant Sessions, FARA, Trip, the Eryn Rae Trio (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award Winner 2022), the Tom Orr Scottish Dance Band, The Auldeners, St. Roch’s Irish Minstrels and Tayside Young Fiddlers, plus a tribute to James Alexander, Fochabers fiddle teacher and performer, from his former pupils, and a special mention of the Youth Music Initiative, which also celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Organising body, Hands Up for Trad, funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, was formed in 2002 and exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish traditional arts, language, culture and music through information, advocacy and education to artists, participants and audiences.
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The scope and scale of the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards is nothing short of astonishing. This year’s winners represent the past, present, and future of Scotland’s traditional music, with artists and organisations hailing from the length and breadth of the country. Creative Scotland supports categories that focus on two key priorities – language and education – and so we’re particularly happy to see author Anne Donovan recognised with the Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language and fiddler Charlie Mckerron named Music Tutor of the Year. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, because it’s your passion and pride in Scotland’s heritage that make Na Trads one of the most important cultural events of the year.”
Organiser, and Hands Up For Trad & Awards Founder, Simon Thoumire said, “In difficult times bands are getting back out on the road and filling venues across the world, bringing joy to people, and it’s great to be back to celebrate this and showcase all the work that has been taking place to fill people’s lives with music, whilst also remembering that we need to support our clubs and venues."
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards annual Gala rocks the scene by championing top Scottish traditional musicians of all genres, recognising, and celebrating the wealth of talent via phenomenal performances, which this year was live from Caird Hall in Dundee City Centre, and on BBC ALBA at 9.00pm.
Watch the ceremony on demand on BBC Alba
Margaret Cameron, Director of Content at MG ALBA said, “It is always a pleasure to see the incredible wealth of talent we have in the world of Scottish traditional music showcased on BBC ALBA, and there are few nights better than Na Trads for doing just that. The 20th anniversary celebration was a night to remember.”
Broadcast in partnership with headline sponsor MG ALBA on BBC ALBA, people voted for their favourites to win the prestigious Awards via the website and links on social media from Monday 7 November to Sunday 20 November 2022, which generated 100,000s of public votes.
Ealasaid MacDonald, Director of Strategy & External Affairs at MG ALBA, said: “MG ALBA are extremely proud to sponsor these awards, which celebrated 20 spectacular years of Na Trads. It’s been a very difficult couple of years for the music industry in Scotland and that’s what makes this recognition for all the impressive innovation and collaboration all the more important.”
Hands Up For Trad supports many aspects of traditional Scottish Music, Arts & Culture, through events, supporting artists, awards, teaching, and fundraising. The Awards give recognition to excellence within Scotland's thriving traditional musical culture. Encompassing all aspects of making and playing from composing, Gaelic song, folk and Scottish dance music to pipe bands and a host of others in between, each year sees a lively and enthusiastic crowd enjoying some of the biggest names as the industry and audiences join to honour singers, instrumentalists, composers, and songwriters.
See the 2022 and the 20th Anniversary year winners at Hands Up for Trad.
Keep up to date on Twitter @handsupfortrad Instagram @handsupfortrad on Facebook. #NaTrads #HUFTOnline #BBCALBA
Background
Hands Up for Trad exists to promote Scottish traditional music through information, education and advocacy to artists, participants and audiences across Scotland and beyond.
MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service). MG ALBA works in partnership with the BBC to deliver BBC ALBA. Find out more about MG ALBA and the partnership at www.mgalba.com or visit www.bbcalba.co.uk for scheduling and programme information.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Media contacts
For interviews, playlists or tracks and images please contact Chris Hunt at Genuine on [email protected]