Plus, Martyn Bennett’s final studio album ‘Grit’ is announced as the winner of 2024’s Modern Scottish Classic Award, voted for by the 20 artists that made up this year’s SAY Award Longlist.
The SAY Award has also revealed this year’s five Sound of Young Scotland Award finalists, with the winner set to be revealed at this year’s Ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24th October, alongside the SAY Award winner.
The SAY Award Shortlist for 2024, in alphabetical order, is:
- Arab Strap I'm totally fine with it 👍don't give a f*ck 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
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 Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand revealed as this year’s public vote winner. The 9 remaining Shortlisted albums were chosen by The SAY Award judging panel.
The Modern Scottish Classic Award, presented by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), is an annual recognition of an iconic album from Scotland’s past that still inspires today. The award was voted for by 2024’s Longlisted artists, with Martyn Bennett’s ‘Grit’ (2003) named this year’s Modern Scottish Classic.
The five finalists for The Sound of Young Scotland Award (supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music) have also been announced. The award aims to stimulate and support the future of Scottish music, offering a funding package worth up to £10,000 to a young and emerging Scottish artist to assist them in creating their debut album. 2024’s finalists are: Alice Faye, Dillon Barrie, Goliath, Pippa Blundell and Spyres.
'The countdown is on'
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Brisley said: “We can’t wait to welcome Scotland’s most exciting musical artists to Stirling’s Albert Halls on 26 October for The Scottish Album of the Year Award.
“The announcement of The SAY Award Shortlist signals that the countdown is firmly on for one of the biggest events for Scotland’s music industry.
“Stirling has a strong track record for hosting major cultural events and are proud to have been home to The SAY Award Ceremony for three successive years.Stirling’s venues will continue to showcase and nurture Scotland’s creative talent and we look forward to celebrating these amazing artists at this year’s ceremony.”
'An unforgettable celebration'
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.”
BJ Stewart, one of the founding members of the Martyn Bennett Trust and Martyn’s close friend and photographer, said: “The Martyn Bennett Trust is deeply honoured that Grit has been awarded the 2024 Modern Scottish Classic Award. This recognition is especially meaningful coming from fellow artists across Scotland's diverse music scene, reflecting the enduring impact of Martyn’s work.
‘Grit’ unites ancient and modern sounds, blending traditions with contemporary influences and championing marginalised voices. We are thrilled that ‘Grit’ continues to inspire and influence musicians from so many different genres and backgrounds, much as Martyn himself sought to unite those elements in his work.
This award reaffirms his vision of music as a force for connection and unity, as relevant today as it was in 2003. We are incredibly grateful to the Scottish Music Industry Association, The SAY Award nominees, and everyone who continues to celebrate Martyn’s music. Thank you.”
Scottish Modern Classic
2024’s SAY Award Shortlist, Modern Scottish Classic Award winner and Sound of Young Scotland finalists will be celebrated at this year’s Ceremony, culminating in a celebration of Scottish music past, present and future. One of the biggest nights in Scottish music, the Ceremony takes place in the heart of Scotland at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24th October. Final tickets from www.sayaward.com.
The Modern Scottish Classic Award, presented by the SMIA, is annually selected by the 20 artists on The SAY Award Longlist. All 20 artists submit their top 5 Scottish albums, which pre-date the inception of The SAY Award (2011), and continue to inspire to this day.
Martyn Bennet’s final studio album ‘Grit’ is the fourth recipient of the Modern Scottish Classic Award. A record which is widely credited with starting the musical evolution of Celtic fusion, it features tracks including ‘Blackbird’, ‘Chanter’ and ‘Move’, where Martyn expertly blended Scottish traditional music and singers with cutting edge electronica and dance beats.
His fifth album, ‘Grit’ featured the traditional singers, largely travellers, that Martyn was raised on, showcasing the astonishing purity of the past whilst basking in modern dance culture. Martyn battled with Hodgkins Lymphoma throughout the making of the album, undergoing extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as a bone marrow transplant. No longer able to play instruments himself, ‘Grit’ was his sole artistic outlet. Martyn Bennett passed away 15 months after the release of ‘Grit’, in January 2005 at 33 years old, following a short but extraordinary career that has left a stunning musical legacy, not only in Scotland, but around the world.
The Modern Scottish Classic Award winner was voted for by 2024’s SAY Award Longlist, whilst the Sound of Young Scotland finalists were chosen by a panel of former SAY Award nominees including Hamish Hawk, Lizzie Reid and former winner LVRA. The Sound of Young Scotland judging panel whittled 66 eligible applicants down to the five finalists, and will reconvene to choose the winner which will be announced at 2024’s SAY Award Ceremony.
Sound of Young Scotland
Supporting the next generation of Scottish talent, the Sound of Young Scotland Award funding package is worth up to £10,000 and 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. Supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music, the judging panel will choose from five finalists: Alice Faye, Dillon Barrie, Goliath, Pippa Blundell and Spyres.
Morag Macdonald, Youth Music Initiative Manager at Creative Scotland said: “The Sound of Young Scotland Award is a vital platform for emerging talent, offering not only financial support but also the tools and opportunities young artists need to take their first steps towards making their mark on the Scottish music scene. This award shines a spotlight on the incredible creativity and potential of the next generation. We’re delighted to offer this award with funding through the Youth Music Initiative and look forward to witnessing the evolution of these young artists.”
One of the most highly anticipated nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, music fans can buy tickets to attend The SAY Award Ceremony, joining an audience of artists, industry professionals, press and cultural tastemakers to celebrate outstanding Scottish music, with a series of special live performances on the night. Final tickets via www.sayaward.com
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, Music Declares Emergency, Harviestoun Brewery and Hotel Colessio (hotel partner for The SAY Award Ceremony).
The SAY Award’s charity partner is 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).