Scottish Album of the Year Awards opens submissions for 2023

The Scottish Album of the Year Award has opened submissions for 2023.

Fans, artists and music labels are urged to submit eligible albums for the chance to win Scotland’s national music prize and £20,000 in funding at a prestigious ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday October 26.

Organisers described the last 12 months as a “bumper year” for Scottish music with huge acts including Lewis Capaldi, Paolo Nutini, Bemz, The Snuts, Calvin Harris, Joesef and Nina Nesbitt all releasing albums.

Last year’s winner Fergus McCreadie, the first jazz/trad artist to ever collect the award, will perform at this year’s ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday October 26.

Fergus McCreadie, winner of The SAY Award 2022 said: “I’m very excited to see The SAY Award make its return this year. Last year I was so honoured to win it with Forest Floor, and to represent the incredible jazz scene in Scotland in this way, in a mainstream industry prize.

“Many cross-genre awards don’t pay much attention to smaller scenes and so I believe The SAY Award is really important for highlighting all types of music across the board. I look forward to seeing who takes the prize this year and performing at the ceremony itself!”

The SAY Award winner will receive a £20,000 prize and the prestigious title of Scottish Album of the Year, whilst nine runners up each receive £1,000, as well as bespoke prizes created by a Stirling-based artist through The SAY Award Design Commission.

Previous SAY Award winners include Mogwai, Young Fathers, Anna Meredith and Kathryn Joseph.

Additional awards including Modern Scottish Classic and the Sound of Young Scotland will also be distributed on the night, plus fans, journalists and artists will be treated to special live performances.

Robert Kilpatrick, creative director of the Scottish Music Industry Association said: “As we embark on our 12th annual edition of Scotland’s national music prize, The SAY Award will once again work to celebrate and champion the strength, diversity and cultural impact of Scotland’s recorded output.

“Its role in instilling civic pride and driving audience development continues to play a vital part in how we understand our collective cultural identity as a nation, and it both encapsulates and articulates an ever-evolving idea of what Scottish music and culture is to those around the world.

“Just as crucially, The SAY Award prize fund continues to provide key financial support to Scottish artists. With multiple challenges caused by the cost of living crisis, this support is perhaps more vital than ever, and the SMIA is committed to seeing the continued value of music in Scotland with a firm focus on its life-affirming impact.

“Following an incredible ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls last year, we’re delighted to return for a second year on Thursday October 26.

SAY Awards

“As of today, eligible album submissions are open, and tickets are on sale to attend 2023’s event. We’re over the moon to have last year’s winner Fergus McCreadie performing on the night, and we look forward to championing Scottish music’s rich past, invaluable present and vibrant future in the lead up to the event.”

Produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), The SAY Award has distributed over £330,000 in prize money to Scottish artists since its inception in 2012, with a record number of eligible albums submitted in 2022. 

Albums can be submitted for free at www.sayaward.com, with submissions closing at midnight on Friday July 21 2023.

Early bird tickets for 2023’s ceremony at the Albert Halls, Stirling are on sale now via www.sayaward.com.