SAY Award opens applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award

A search for new Scottish talent has officially launched with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award opening applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

Article Source: SAY Award
Last Updated: 31 July 2024 10:30

31st July - The country’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, has opened applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

Artists can apply for The Sound of Young Scotland Award for FREE via www.sayaward.com until midnight on Wednesday 21st August.

The next generation of Scottish talent can apply to win a funding package worth up to £10,000 to support the creation of their debut album, as well as gain the coveted title of the Sound of Young Scotland at this year’s prestigious SAY Award Ceremony in Stirling. The award is supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music, with the aim of stimulating and supporting the future of Scottish music. The package includes; cash grants for studio/production costs, in-kind use of The Tolbooth in Stirling (inc. the studio, venue space for filming etc.), a performance slot at 2025’s SAY Award Ceremony, 250 vinyl pressings of their debut album from Seabass Vinyl and much more.

Plus, The SAY Award has revealed over 300 eligible albums have been submitted and are now being considered for 2024’s prize. Albums from artists including Mercury Prize nominated Barry Can’t Swim, Siobhan Wilson, The Snuts and more were submitted, with all 300 albums now being considered for Scotland’s national music prize and the £20,000 prize.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award is now in its fourth year, having supported and championed some of the country’s brightest emerging talent. Previous winners include LVRA (2021), Berta Kennedy (2022) and No Windows (2023). To be eligible for the award, artists must be: 18 – 25, have never released an album and be a ‘Scottish’ artist (born in Scotland, 50% of core members born in Scotland, or have made Scotland their creative base for the past two years). View full eligibility criteria and prize fund conditions at www.sayaward.com

The Sound of Young Scotland Award winner will be unveiled at the prestigious SAY Award Ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24th October, alongside the winner of The Scottish Album of the Year Award and the Modern Scottish Classic Award. A limited number of early-bird Ceremony tickets are on sale now via www.sayaward.com

Morag Macdonald, Youth Music Initiative Manager at Creative Scotland, said: “The Sound of Young Scotland Award is a life-changing opportunity that platforms Scotland’s most exciting young musicians while supporting one act to realise their ambitions of creating a debut album. With support from the Scottish Government, the Youth Music Initiative recognises the value and importance of this award in removing barriers to access for young people in music and take this significant step in progressing their career in music.”

2024’s funding package includes:
• Cash grants totaling £5,500 to go towards activities such as studio hire costs, session musician fees, equipment rentals and more.
• In-kind use of The Tolbooth’s recording studio in Stirling – up to 6 days recording time and 3 days mixing/mastering, or use of venue space for filming and photo requirements
• A performance slot at 2025’s SAY Award ceremony, one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, in front of industry professionals, journalists and music fans
• A bespoke art prize from The SAY Award Design Commission
• 6 hours of one-to-one business advice from industry experts, arranged via Help Musicians
• Online meet-ups with other Help Musicians’ awardees and industry guests, arranged via Help Musicians
• Invites to online peer drop-in spaces with other musicians, arranged via Help Musicians (optional)
• Access to a healthy practice session delivered by BAPAM, arranged via Help Musicians (optional)
• A run of up to 250 vinyl pressings of the album created via the prize; provided in-kind by Seabass Vinyl, Scotland’s first vinyl pressing plant

The cash grants provided via The Sound of Young Scotland Award include support directly from:
• Help Musicians’ Next Level Award, designed to support musicians ready to pursue a career-changing opportunity.
• Youth Music’s NextGen Fund; designed to support early-stage musicians and wider music adjacent creatives to invest in their own projects and make their ideas happen.

A cross-genre judging panel of 11 previous SAY Award nominees will review eligible Sound of Young Scotland Award submissions, whittling applicants down to five. The five finalists will be announced alongside The SAY Award Shortlist, before the judging panel reconvenes to choose the final winner.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award is supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music, with the aim of stimulating and supporting the future of Scottish music. Help Musicians is a charity for professional musicians of all genres, giving them the support they need at all stages throughout their career, whilst Youth Music is the country’s leading young people’s music charity, believing that every young person should have the chance to make, learn and earn in music. The Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative is administered by Creative Scotland and aims to provide access to music-making opportunities for children and young people who may not normally have the chance to participate. Together, the three organisations will support the delivery of this year’s Sound of Young Scotland Award; paving the way for future generations of Scottish musicians to thrive and contribute to the country’s world-class recorded output.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award winner will also receive a bespoke prize created by a Stirling-based artist via The SAY Award Design Commission. Expressions of interest for Stirling-based artists are open until Monday 5th August, with local creatives encouraged to design an award with sustainability at its forefront. To enter the Design Commision visit www.sayaward.com/designcommission

The SAY Award is a Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) production. The SAY Award 2024 is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Stirling Council, Stirling Alive with Culture, Seabass Vinyl, Ticketmaster, Help Musicians, HMV, FOPP, PPL, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative, Youth Music and Music Declares Emergency.

The SAY Award’s charity partner is once again Scotland’s national children’s and young people’s mental health charity, Tiny Changes, set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison to help young minds feel better.

Now in its thirteenth year, previous winners of The SAY Award include; Young Fathers ‘Heavy Heavy’ (2023), Fergus McCreadie ‘Forest Floor’ (2022), Mogwai ‘As The Love Continues' (2021), Nova ‘Re-Up’ (2020), Auntie Flo ‘Radio Highlife’ (2019), Young Fathers ‘Cocoa Sugar’ (2018), Sacred Paws ‘Strike A Match’ (2017), Anna Meredith ‘Varmints’ (2016), Kathryn Joseph ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ (2015), Young Fathers ‘Tape Two’ (2014), RM Hubbert ‘Thirteen Lost & Found’ (2013) and the inaugural winner Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ (2012).

Early-bird SAY Award Ceremony tickets on sale now via www.sayaward.com £18 + booking fee

Don’t miss The SAY Award 2024 news - follow the award on social media across Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram @sayaward, Facebook @SAYaward and TikTok @thesayaward

Image: SYS 2023 winners No Windows
Image credit: Euan Robertson

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

Latest Stirling News

Pick a tree and enjoy an Afternoon Tea at Dobbies Stirling

Celebrate the festive season with Christmas tree picking and an Afternoon Tea celebration at Dobbies’ Stirling store on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December.

Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line

A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024

Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.

TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025

50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.

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

A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!

Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch

Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.

Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.

Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos

A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!

Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas

itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.

Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland

A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.

Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland

To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.

Tennis ace Jamie Murray awarded honorary degree by University of Stirling

Jamie Murray received the Honorary Doctorate in recognition for his contribution to Scottish and UK tennis, at Stirling’s winter graduation ceremony on Friday, 22 November.

Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas

Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.

IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month

IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.

Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season

Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.

Christmas is coming to Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles, will be hosting a series of Christmas events across December.

Go Forth Stirling launches Festive Penguin Trail in Stirling

Families can enjoy a fun challenge this festive season by finding and reuniting a group of penguins who have been lost across Stirling city centre.

Cinnabon Expansion Reaches The Thistles Stirling

Scottish Cinnafans rejoice! World-famous American bakery, Cinnabon, is opening the doors to their new store at The Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling on Friday 22nd November.

Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary

Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.

Scottish pubs to help tackle loneliness this Christmas

17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues across Scotland

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.

Wedgwood the Restaurant announces the return of Christmas Day boxes

Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant has announced the return of its sell-out Christmas Day boxes.

Longlist Revealed for Stirling Business Awards 2025

The longlist for the 2025 Stirling Business Awards has been revealed as voting begins to select the winners of the annual honours.

Gavin & Stacey star kickstarts initiative to support the elderly this Christmas

Supermarket teams up with national treasure Larry Lamb to reimagine its in-store cafes as 'Chatty Cafés' and help spark conversations this Christmas.

Celebrate Hope: Book Week Scotland 2024 Ignites Inspiration across Scotland

Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland 2024, returns from 18-24 November to uplift the country with its theme of Hope.

BrewDog has hidden 60 Advent Calendars across its bars for craft beer lovers to find

BrewDog is relaunching its Treasure Hunt campaign in time for Christmas with 60 of its iconic Advent Calendars will be hidden across 20 selected BrewDog bars in the UK.

Imagine Theatre announces exciting new season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly present a thrilling lineup of magical family pantos jam packed with laughter, music, song and dance featuring some of Scotland's favourite stars!

CBeebies announce Beauty And The Beast for their 2024 Christmas Panto

Modern Films Family in partnership with CBeebies are excited to announce that this year's CBeebies Panto is Beauty and the Beast and that it will be in cinemas during November and December.

Garden Centre unveils festive dining for the whole family

From enjoying a jolly time at Santa's Breakfast to indulging in a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea or enjoying some seasonal drinks and cakes, customers at Dobbies are in for a treat.

New contemporary dance degree launches in Scotland

A leading Scottish performing arts institution has launched one of the country's first artist-led Contemporary Dance degree courses.

Popular Listings

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

SAY Award opens applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award

A search for new Scottish talent has officially launched with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award opening applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

Sponsored Links

Latest Stirling News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings