Published: 08 Jun 2022
The Wallace Monument in Stirling lit by projections announcing the SAY Award 2022. Credit: Ryan Buchanan.
Scotland’s national music prize, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, has announced Stirling as the host city for its 2022 ceremony.
Produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) and taking place at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 20 October, the SAY Award will welcome artists, industry professionals, press and music fans to the city for the most exciting night in Scotland’s musical calendar.
The ceremony will mark the culmination of a 4-month campaign celebrating Scottish music and the cultural impact of outstanding Scottish albums, with the SAY Award winner receiving a £20,000 first prize and walking away with the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year.
To unveil Stirling as the new location for the SAY Award ceremony, an eye-catching projection was displayed onto one of the city’s most renowned landmarks, the National Wallace Monument.
The location of the SAY Award ceremony was unveiled with the lyrics of the iconic Scottish ballad Caledonia by singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, OBE who lived nearby in Dunblane for a period of time as a child and still feels a close connection with Stirling.
Featuring the famous chorus ‘Let me tell you that I love you. That I think about you all the time’ the projection was displayed on the Monument overlooking the city and was visible for miles.
Watch the stunning ode to Scotland and its vibrant music industry.
Built in the Victorian era and located in the centre of the city, the impressive Albert Halls venue has hosted a variety of shows since opening over 100 years ago. Following the SAY Award’s landmark 10th birthday celebration last year, music fans will once again have the chance to attend the ceremony when it makes its Stirling debut on Thursday 20 October.
Purchase pre-sale tickets at: www.sayaward.com.
A young city with ancient roots, Stirling has a thriving music scene with venues such as the Tolbooth and the Albert Halls delivering a regular programme of events, while the City Park hosts large-scale events, including this summer’s Under Canvas Big Top shows with Texas, Skippinish and Eddi Reader.
It’s also the stage for boutique outdoor music events like Shapes at The Old Town Jail and Albert Smalls, along with world-class music festivals like Doune The Rabbit Hole and Callander Jazz and Blues Festival.
Stirling Council is also focused on cultivating the growing talent nestled within its area.
During the pandemic, with venues forced to temporarily close, the Council and cultural partners nurtured and supported artists in innovative ways. In 2021, the team at the Tolbooth venue, with the support of Creative Scotland, launched Generation Tolbooth Records - a label run by young people to promote the talented youth music scene in the city. Find out more about these events and Generation Tolbooth at: www.stirlingevents.org.
The move to Stirling at the heart of Scotland is a pivotal moment for the SAY Award following the celebration of its 10th year in 2021. Steeped in Scottish history, the city of Stirling is home to some of the world's most renowned attractions, including Stirling Castle and The National Wallace Monument, while the awe-inspiring scenery of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is right on the city’s doorstep. In addition, Stirling is bursting with creativity, diversity and innovation and is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a city this year.
Robert Kilpatrick, Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) / The SAY Award, said: “Following three fantastic years in Edinburgh, we’re delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Stirling as we get set to host our 2022 ceremony in the much-loved Albert Halls. Across our 4-month campaign, we will work with Stirling and our SAY Award partners to celebrate the strength and diversity of Scotland’s musical landscape, culminating in the most exciting night in Scotland’s musical calendar. As we now enter a post-pandemic landscape, a sharp focus on cultural recovery and growth is required. The SAY Award will work to bring a renewed sense of community, foster civic pride and drive national wellbeing through a strategic and authentic focus on recognising both the power and value of music in Scotland."
Cllr Gerry McGarvey, Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “Hosting the Scottish Album of the Year Award is absolutely fantastic news for Stirling and reaffirms the area’s reputation as a top events location. Stirling sits in the heart of Scotland and beats to the rhythm of a dynamic and diverse music scene, so the city is the perfect stage for this special celebration of Scottish music in the historic Albert Halls. Projecting the cherished lyrics of Dougie MacLean onto the iconic Wallace Monument is a fitting way to mark this exciting announcement, showcasing Stirling’s incredible history and creative spirit to people across the country. It’s also a powerful statement that Stirling is bouncing back following the challenges of the pandemic with the return of a wide range of major events and festivals and is ready to welcome people from across the world.”
Artists, music fans and labels can look forward to eligible album submissions for the SAY Award 2022 opening on Friday 1 July. From classical, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, pop, rock and trad, the SAY Award album submissions reflect the ever-changing and diversified Scottish music scene, demonstrating the strength and cultural impact of the country’s musical output.
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) is a not-for-profit trade body and membership organisation which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry.
As a Creative Scotland Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO), we work to create and nurture an inclusive membership community which reflects the full spectrum of Scotland’s music industry. We give voice to our membership when speaking to Government, Parliament and development organisations, and we both produce and support projects and programmes that stimulate sustainability, domestic and international growth, development and innovation in Scotland’s music sector. Our services, projects and events are designed to strengthen and increase the value of Scotland’s music industry on the world stage: economically, socially and culturally.
Further information on the SMIA and its services, projects and events can be found at: www.smia.org.uk.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow Creative Scotland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
Rooted in the heart of Scotland, Stirling’s blossoming urban city centre is surrounded by diverse rural communities.The nation’s most cherished landmarks are found here, making Stirling alive with history, while a growing modern arts scene nurtures new cultural talent. With a similarly diverse business sector, cultivated by new infrastructure and investment, Stirling aims to be a place where everyone can thrive
‘Caledonia’ - music and lyrics by Dougie MacLean. Published by Limetree Arts and Music (PRS & MCPS - UK; Kobalt Music - Rest of World). Scotland's finest singer-songwriter is internationally renowned for his song 'Caledonia', music for 'Last of the Mohicans' and inspired performances. During the two years of the pandemic his weekly broadcasts from his Old Schoolhouse (renamed a Global Streaming Theatre) reached almost 3 million viewers in 56 different countries. Dougie has received two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and an OBE.
Beth Harvey | beth@wearematerial.co.uk | 07792 219 162
