An inspiring 116-strong group of shortlisted talent performing and working across Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene have today been unveiled as nominees for the 22nd MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
Musicians, bands, organisations, teachers, venues, events and individuals involved in the creation and development of Scottish’s homegrown music are shortlisted across 22 categories.
The public has until Sunday 10 November to vote for their favourites at www.scotstradmusicawards.com. The winners will be announced at a star-studded award ceremony at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 30 November when the event returns to the Highland capital for the first time in 10 years.
The single most important awards ceremony for folk and trad musicians, bands and artists, the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are organised by Hands Up For Trad – an organisation which stands at the forefront of Scotland's cultural landscape, promoting traditional music and culture through their talent development, education and advocacy work.
The gold standard for industry achievement, the awards night will fittingly be held on St. Andrew’s Day and seeks to celebrate stand-out talent from all corners of the country working across a range of genres and styles to create and promote Scotland’s trad music scene over the last 12 months.
The nominees are:
Album of the Year, sponsored by Birnam CD
- Headstrong by HEISK
- Just a Second by Ryan Young
- The Waiting Room by Eamonn Nugent
- A Breaking Sky by Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach
- The Outset by Project Smok
- Vent by Laura Jane Wilkie
- Halocline by Malin Lewis
- The Magic Roundabout by Session A9
- ReLoved by Capercaillie
- The Homeroad by Ross Couper Band
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland
- Beth Malcolm
- Siobhan Miller
- Josie Duncan
- Seàn Gray
- Club of the Year
- Glee Club at Celtic Connections
- Ayr Phoenix Folk Club
- Ardersier International Folk Club
- The World's Room
Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
- Scottish Polish Song Society - Aberdeen University
- People's Parish
- Fèis air an Oir
- Falkirk Fiddle Workshop
Composer of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music
- James Ross
- Gillian Fleetwood
- Alec Dalgeish
- Mairead Green and Mike Vass (A.D.A.M)
- Jack Badcock
- Ali Hutton & Laura Beth (From the Ground)
Event of the Year, sponsored by VisitScotland
- Carrying Stream Festival
- Skipinnish at Edinburgh Castle
- Cuirm Nam Bonn òir le Ruairidh Gray
- Jura Music Festival
- Ceòl Cholasa
- Fèis na Mara
Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by Highland Society of London
- Ainslie Hamill
- Ceitlin Lilidh
- Emma MacLeod
- Kathleen MacInnes
- Katie Macfarlane
Live Act of the Year
- Kinnaris Quartet
- An Dannsa Dub
- Mec Lir
- Niteworks
- Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey
- RuMac
Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative
- Margaret Houlihan
- Douglas Montgomery
- Carly Blain
- Daniel Thorpe
Musician of the Year, sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands
- Ciorstaidh Beaton
- Anna Massie
- Tom Callister
- Adam Holmes
- Alasdair Iain Paterson
- Patsy Reid
Original Work of the Year, sponsored Musicians’ Union
- Ar Cànan 's ar Ceòl by Trail West
- Centennial March (Glen Burnie Lodge) by Louise Bichan
- Alice Allen’s New Voices ‘Bass Culture’
- The Dedication Jigs by Ross Miller
- Tom Campbell Trio EP
Scottish Dance Band of the Year, sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
- Graeme MacKay
- Jackie Raeburn
- Calum Nicolson
- Michael Philip
Scottish Folk Band of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound
- Cala
- Fras
- Haltadans
- The Paul McKenna Band
- RANT
- DLÙ
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year, sponsored by National Piping Centre
- Skye Youth Pipe Band
- Dunoon Grammar Pipe Band
- George Watson’s Pipe Band
- Dornoch Pipe Band
Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University
- Friday Night Trad - Radio Skye with Robert MacInnes
- Karine Polwart’s Monthly Newsletter
- Piping Sounds with Michael Steele and Ewen Henderson
- Kim Carnie Out Loud
- Jared Rowan (Social Media)
Up and Coming Artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Tarran
- Amy Laurenson
- Falasgair
- Teud
- Gillie O’Flaherty
- Lauren Collier Band
Venue of the Year
- Catstrand Arts
- Eden Court
- Kings Place, London
- The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh
- Croy Live
A number of special prizes will also be awarded on the night, selected by a panel of esteemed industry judges, for services to traditional music and culture.
Legendary Skye band Niteworks will receive the Services to Gaelic Award, sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig; beloved musician Christine Martin will be presented with The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award, while celebrated poet Rab Wilson will receive The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award, supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
This year’s event also welcomes the introduction of a new award, The Gaisgeach na Gàidhealtachd, which means Hero of the Highlands. This award will recognise a notable local organisation or figure who has made an invaluable contribution to Highland cultural life and the winner will be named on the night.
A number of stalwarts of the scene who have dedicated their lives to the development of music in Scotland are each year added to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and will be honoured in a special reception on the night.
A raft of industry awards will also recognise individuals and organisations which support the creative pipeline of the sector. Those finalists are:
Industry Person of the Year
- Michael Pellegrotti
- Roddy MacKay
- Gary Innes
- Laura Harrington
- Rosie Munro
Production Company of the Year
- Pro Sound
- FE Audio
- Adlib
- SM Lighting
Recording Studio of the Year
- B&B Studios
- Castlesound
- Assumption Studios
- Black Bay Studios
Sound Engineer of the Year
- Alain ‘Dinner’ MacKinnon
- Carla Feuerstein
- Ross Cathcart
Stage Technician of the Year
- John McFarlane
- Chris Adam
- Ronnie Phipps
- Gary Ebdy
As well as all category sponsors and the event’s headline sponsor, this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, the ceremony’s return to the Highlands is made possible with funding and support from Creative Scotland, Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Scottish Government.
Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “Scotland’s traditional music scene is bursting at the seams with exceptional talent and it’s incredibly important we take time to recognise the achievements and progress over the last year. From some of the most exciting young new bands, to legends of the industry we will be tipping our hats to the best of the best in Inverness this November. Voting is now open and it’s over to the public to decide who they would like to see honoured on the night. We’re proud that this event has become synonymous with excellence in Scottish music and incredibly grateful to all those who make its staging possible.”
Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Congratulations to all the nominees. Now public voting is open, it’s a fantastic chance for people to celebrate and honour all their favourite artists, recordings, organisations, projects and contributors to this vibrant sector. The list of nominees reflects the vast array of talent across the genre and all the people who contribute towards sustaining traditions and creating innovative work.
Margaret Cameron, Director of Content at MG ALBA, said: “Now in its 22nd year, it's incredible to see how the event continues to flourish, showcasing the very best of Scots Trad music. This year’s nominations of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards once again highlight the remarkable talent within the scene, reflecting the vibrancy and depth of Scotland’s musical heritage. We’re thrilled to bring the awards to the fantastic Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, and MG ALBA is proud to support the event and broadcast the celebration live on BBC ALBA, ensuring audiences across the country can join the party.”
An outstanding lineup of talent is set to take to the stage over the course of the evening, including the Hebridean-born and Highland-based singer and musician Julie Fowlis, whose award-winning talent is recognised the world over; Skipinnish who round off their 25th anniversary year in a fitting fashion’ BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2024 Calum McIlroy; party-starters An Dannsa Dub; the inimitable duo of Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr; Aberdeenshire folk star Ellie Beaton; and young local talent in the form of Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers.
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, Saturday 30 November 2024. The awards will be broadcast on BBC ALBA from 9pm.
Voting opens today and closes on Sunday 10 November. Votes can be cast at www.scotstradmusicawards.com. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Background
Header image is Mànran at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2023. Image courtesy of Hands Up for Trad.
Hands Up for Trad exists to promote Scottish traditional music and culture through talent development, education and advocacy. Our vision is to seek and provide opportunities for more diverse artists, participants and audiences and to support everyone to enjoy, understand and participate in traditional music and culture. Our programme nurtures talent, increases access and participation, showcases quality, strengthens infrastructure, and embeds and develops Scotland's indigenous languages into the cultural landscape as well as preserving the existing work of tradition bearers for future generations.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Media contacts
For more information, interview or asset requests please contact: Corrie Campbell E: [email protected], M: 07900981073, W: www.innesandcampbell.co.uk