SAY Award road to Stirling in focus as ceremony draws near

For fans of Scottish music, all eyes are turned to Stirling this month with the 2023 Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award due to be handed out in the city for the second year in a row.

Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 11 October 2023 13:34

Paolo Nutini – whose seminal 2006 debut album, These Streets, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Modern Scottish Classic Award – is among the shortlisted artists with his fourth studio album Last Night in the Bittersweet.

The ceremony, which takes place on Thursday 26 October at Stirling’s iconic Albert Halls, will see a celebration of Scotland’s brightest musical talent. The award was won last year by Dollar artist, Fergus McCreadie with his album, Forest Floor.

The return of the ceremony to Stirling is also a massive endorsement of the city’s diverse music scene and cultural credentials, with many of the shortlisted artists having previously performed at Tolbooth Stirling.

Acts such as Andrew Wasylyk, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Cloth and Hamish Hawk have all taken to the stage at the venue in recent years. Hamish Hawk will also headline this year’s All Ages ‘Hogmanay at The Halls’ event at The Albert Halls.

Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming the SAY Award back to Stirling this year. This event is a celebration of the great and good of Scotland’s music industry and underlines Stirling’s reputation as a place where arts and culture can thrive. We remain resolute in our efforts to champion the creative and cultural output of the area.

“The SAY Award ceremony taking place here again is also recognition of Stirling’s thriving live music scene with the Albert Halls and Tolbooth among the best venues in the country.

“If you haven’t got a ticket yet, make sure you don’t miss out on a marvellous opportunity to witness the most exciting artists in the country right now.”

Fergus McCreadie, 2022 SAY Award winner and performer at this year’s ceremony said: “I’m really looking forward to opening The SAY Award Ceremony at The Albert Halls in Stirling later this month. I missed the ceremony last year when I won so it will be really special to come back this year and perform for a room full of amazing Scottish artists and music fans.

“It’s great to see national music awards head to venues outside the Central Belt and it’s a really exciting SAY Award Shortlist this year so I can’t wait to see who wins!”

Robert Kilpatrick, Interim CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “This year’s SAY Award Shortlist is a fantastic representation of the strength and diversity of Scottish music, with some of the biggest artists in the UK on the list as well as exciting newcomers and trailblazers.

“The SAY Award’s second year in Stirling is looking like one of our most exciting ceremonies yet. We’re delighted to have 2022 winner Fergus McCreadie back to open the show, with an epic DJ set from TAALIAH to close. We’re especially looking forward to celebrating this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award, which was recently announced as Paolo Nutini’s ‘These Streets’ as well as revealing the winner of The Sound of Young Scotland Award, an award created to support emerging musicians.

“Last year’s Ceremony was one of our biggest and best yet with music fans joining together with the industry to celebrate the country’s musical output so we can’t wait to return to the Albert Halls – especially with the venue’s recent accolade; named as one of the best music venues in the UK by TimeOut. We’ll have artists from Scotland’s past, present and future gracing the stage at the Albert Halls as some of the country’s biggest music stars come together to celebrate and toast to an outstanding year of music. We hope to see you there!”

SAY Award ceremony host Nicola Meighan said: “Back in 2012, when I was a rock and pop writer for the Herald, one of the most exciting stories I covered was the launch of the Scottish Album of the Year Award. It had been a long time coming: the country’s brilliant, wild and diverse musical output has always made reverberations, round the corner and round the world, and a national prize devoted to the soundtracks of our days and nights - and the LP as an art form - felt like a hugely welcome addition to our cultural calendar.

“Since then, I’ve been a SAY Award nominator, a judge, and - for the past seven years - co-host of the event with my BBC Radio Scotland colleague Vic Galloway.

“It’s always been a joy to be a part of the award, but after stints in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paisley, I was particularly delighted that the SAY Award touched down in my home town of Stirling last year. I grew up in Causewayhead, went to Wallace High, and as a music obsessive even then, I can’t imagine how excited I’d have been to hear that some day we’d all be at the Albert Halls for one of the country’s biggest and most significant music events. I’m thrilled that we’ll be back this year.”

The SAY Award Shortlist for 2023 in alphabetical order is:

Andrew Wasylyk Hearing the Water before Seeing the Falls
Becky Sikasa Twelve Wooden Boxes
Bemz Nova’s Dad
Brìghde Chaimbeul Carry Them With Us
Brooke Combe Black Is the New Gold
Cloth Secret Measure
Hamish Hawk Angel Numbers
Joesef Permanent Damage
Paolo Nutini Last Night In The Bittersweet
Young Fathers Heavy Heavy

The five finalists for The Sound of Young Scotland Award (supported by Help Musicians, Youth Music Initiative and Youth Music) have also been revealed; an award designed to support the next generation of Scottish talent and give the winner the means to create their debut album. In alphabetical order: Danny Cliff, Pearling, Pippa Blundell, No Windows and Queen of Harps.

Music fans were given 72 hours to ‘have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Longlisted album to secure a place on the Shortlist, with Paolo Nutini ‘Last Night in the Bittersweet’ revealed as this year’s public vote winner. The 9 remaining Shortlisted albums were chosen by The SAY Award Judging panel.

Image credit: Stevie Kyle

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Stirling News

Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue

There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.

Go Forth Stirling announce Longlist for 2026 Stirling Business Awards

The Go Forth team has announced the longlist for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards as voting begins to choose the winners of the annual honours.

Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.

Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!

A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!

Young Stirlingshire golfers follow in footsteps of Ryder Cup heroes

Two young golfers from Stirlingshire are aiming to make history in Portugal in December when they tee off in the 2025 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at Quinta do Lago.

Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year

Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.

Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.

Bridge of Allan restaurant launches festive feast Take Home Christmas Box

The Meadowpark, one of Bridge of Allan’s most popular family restaurants, is bringing the magic of festive dining to homes around Stirling this Christmas.

Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland

Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.

BID Launches Drop In Business Hour Session for Stirling Business Community

Go Forth Stirling has launched a new initiative for the city’s business community giving them the opportunity to consult with the BID team and other partners.

Residents and businesses invited to Forthside project drop in event

A drop-in session is being held on Friday (21 November) for local residents and businesses to learn more about the major redevelopment at Forthside.

Residents and businesses across Stirling urged to get ready for winter

Residents and businesses across Stirling are being urged to get ready for the impacts of wintry weather as the council steps up its preparations to keep people safe in adverse conditions.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Stirling shoppers invited to celebrate their furry friends in new Thistles photography competition

Thistles, shopping centre in Stirling, has teamed up with a local Community Interest Company, Paws for Progress, to launch a heart-warming photography competition.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

Festive days out to make the most of the season

From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.

SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.

National Wallace Monument wins Frankenstein approval from renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro made a personal visit to The National Wallace Monument before deciding to cast the iconic Stirling landmark in his new movie ‘Frankenstein’.

Time to Nominate Outstanding Companies for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards

The public has just two weeks left to nominate outstanding independent retailers for Go Forth Stirling BID’s annual Business Awards.

Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes

A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.

Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.

The Christmas tradition of the year is back...

Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!

First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets

First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Popular Listings

Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling Castle The Albert Halls Stirling The National Wallace Monument Tolbooth Stirling

SAY Award road to Stirling in focus as ceremony draws near

For fans of Scottish music, all eyes are turned to Stirling this month with the 2023 Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award due to be handed out in the city for the second year in a row.

Sponsored Links

Latest Stirling News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings