Two Mercury Prize nominees are among the SAY Award nominees for 2024 with 11 debut albums also included.
The longlist for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has been revealed with 20 on the list from a wide range of genres.
They are now all in the running for the £20,000 prize that comes with the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year with the winner to be announced at a ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls on October 24.
The list was whittled down from 370 eligible submissions with artists hailing from across the country. That includes Glasgow and Edinburgh but also places such as Shetland, Skye and much more with one form SAY Award winner also included on the list.
Bagpipe and fiddler Malin Lewis joins more well-known names such as The Snuts, Arab Strap and more looking to win the award, which will now whittled down a shortlist of 10 before the ceremony next month.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “Each year, The SAY Award provides a bold and unifying platform where Scotland’s most outstanding albums – across all genres – can be celebrated, discovered and championed. On behalf of the SMIA, I’d like to say a massive congratulations to each of this year’s nominees.
“It’s been a really difficult few weeks for Scotland’s cultural sector, coming after a tough few years. The SAY Award Longlist highlights the strength and diversity of Scottish creative talent, and the essential role that our cultural output plays in helping us reflect on who we are as a nation – what we stand for, how we view our place in the world and how we connect with our past, present and future.
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“Scottish music not only enriches our identity, but also delivers tangible returns for our economy. In 2018, Scotland’s music industry generated £195 million, and music tourism alone contributed £406 million, funding vital public services across the country. This highlights the significance of music in driving growth and creating jobs, in addition to its invaluable social and cultural contributions.
“The challenges our sector has faced in recent weeks demonstrates the urgent need for sustained and increased investment. Without this, the future of many artists and cultural organisations remains uncertain, and it’s therefore essential that we continue to advocate for the long-term commitment that Scottish culture both needs and deserves.
“Scottish music is the soundtrack and stories of our lives. The SMIA remains firmly committed to the continued value of music and the arts, and I'd like to extend my thanks to our SAY Award partners, whose continued support makes Scotland’s national music prize possible. We look forward to returning to Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October for The SAY Award Ceremony, and I hope that many of you can join us.”
To get the list down to 10 albums, one will be chosen by music fans via a 72-hour online public vote. The remaining nine on the list will be chosen by the SAY Award judging panel with the shortlist announced a week before the ceremony on Thursday, October 3.
Previous winners of the SAY award include Young Fathers in 2023, Fergus McCreadie – who is nominated again – as well as the likes of Mogwai and Kathrn Joseph.
It is the 13th year of the award and Alan Morrison, the head of music at Creative Scotland, reckons it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the country’s artists in various genres.
He said: “Yet again The SAY Award Longlist is full of surprises, discoveries and albums that became instant favourites. It’s a brilliant snapshot of the ambition and creativity that exists in every music genre in Scotland and a testament to the talent and commitment of the country’s musicians.
“Creative Scotland, through Scottish Government regular funding to the Scottish Music Industry Association, is proud to support an event that so passionately champions the albums that form the soundtrack to our daily lives.”
Stirling Council leader Cllr Chris Kane said, “The announcement of this terrific Longlist marks the latest exciting milestone ahead of The Scottish Album of the Year Award Ceremony.
“Stirling is home to a vibrant live music scene and a number of the acts to make the Longlist have performed, or have upcoming shows, at our award-winning Tolbooth venue.
“It has been a huge privilege for Stirling to host the most exciting night in Scotland’s musical calendar over the last two years and we’re proud to be welcoming the great and good of Scotland’s music industry back to the magnificent Albert Halls next month as one of the key highlights of our 900th anniversary celebrations.”
The full 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
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