The organisers of the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, the Scottish Music Industry Association, has announced the short list of ten albums.
The winner of the Album of the Year award will be announced on 24 October. In addition Martin Bennett’s final studio album, “Grit” will be announced as the winner of the 2024 Modern Scottish Classic Award. Tickets are available for the evening event at the Albert Halls in Stirling.
The Sound of Young Scotland winner will also be announced on the evening from the five finalists Alice Faye, Dillon Barrie, Goliath, Pippa Blundell and Spyres.
Music fans voted over 72 hours from the long list and have produced the ten most popular albums. Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand won the public vote with the other nine albums chosen by the judging panel.
The SAY Award winner receives a prize of £20,000, the Sound of Young Scotland winner will receive £10,000 to help them create a debut album.
The SAY Award Shortlist for 2024, in alphabetical order, is:
Arab Strap I’m totally fine with it don’t give a f*** anymore
Barry Can’t Swim When Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
corto.alto Bad With Names
Dead Pony IGNORE THIS
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand Willson Williams
Lucia & The Best Boys Burning Castles
Rachel Sermanni Dreamer Awake
rEDOLENT dinny greet
Theo Bleak Pain
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “Congratulations to the 10 incredible albums that have made The SAY Award Shortlist, as well as to our Sound of Young Scotland Award finalists and this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award winner; Martyn Bennett’s outstanding, innovative and much-loved record ‘Grit’. This is a fantastic representation of the strength and diversity of Scottish music – past, present and future.
“In what has been – and continues to be – an incredibly challenging time for Scotland’s cultural sector, The SAY Award’s role in celebrating, promoting and rewarding artistic endeavour is more important than ever. Culture is our identity; it’s how we understand ourselves, our place in the world and how we connect with each other. It tells the stories of life in Scotland and is essential to our collective and individual well-being. By championing the incredible musical output of our nation, we share our stories with the rest of the world and find new ways to connect.
“Scottish music not only enriches who we are but also contributes significantly to our economy, generating £195 million in 2018 alone, with music tourism adding £406 million. These figures show the profound impact of music, not just culturally, but in creating jobs, driving growth and funding vital public services. Without sustained and increased investment, however, the future for many of our artists and cultural organisations remains uncertain. It’s therefore essential that we continue to advocate for the long-term commitment that Scottish culture both needs and deserves.
“The SMIA is proud of its ongoing commitment to the continued value of music and the arts in Scotland, and The SAY Award is a vital part of this work. A huge thank you to our partners for their invaluable support, and we look forward to an unforgettable celebration at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October.”
SAY Award Ceremony tickets are on sale now via www.sayaward.com £18 + booking fee
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