The Scottish Album Of The Year (SAY) Award campaign has been re-imagined for 2020 in recognition of the coronavirus crisis facing the industry.
The campaign is going virtual for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with its live events moving online. This year’s ceremony takes place on Thursday, October 29.
Artists, labels and fans are encouraged to submit eligible Scottish albums released between April 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 to The SAY Award Website. The deadline for entries is midnight on July 31. The winner will collect a £20,000 cash prize and nine runners up winning £1,000.
Never more than now is it important we celebrate Scottish music
Robert Kilpatrick
Scottish Music Industry Association
Robert Kilpatrick, general manager of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “Scotland’s music industry is in crisis. For many of my industry colleagues, celebrating may be the last thing they’ll feel like doing. How can we celebrate when venues have closed, are closing and will continue to close unless something more is done? When our young people are losing access to music? How do our young people become future talent, active fans and economic supporters of our industry?
"How do we celebrate when artists have lost all their live income? When our international opportunities and connections are under threat? When promoters, studios, producers, engineers, crew, music retail and multiple other sub-sectors of the industry are continually and sorely feeling the impact. There are no easy answers, and as the situation continues, Scotland’s music industry remains at significant risk, with a strong reliance on people coming together to create or experience music, as well as a high level of self-employment.
"Never more than now is it important we celebrate Scottish music. By celebrating, we promote it’s visibility, highlight its value, develop audiences and stimulate opportunity at a time it’s never been needed more. The SAY Award campaign has been re-imagined for 2020 and has been designed to help mitigate some of the key challenges our industry faces. Thanks to our partners continued support, we can continue to champion outstanding Scottish music."
Previous winners include Auntie Flo, Young Fathers, Kathryn Joseph and Sacred Paws.
Developed and produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), the 2020 campaign will be delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, YouTube Music, 54EP, Sweetdram, PPL, Summerhall, Ticketmaster and new charity partner Music Declares Emergency.
Live At The Longlist, which was introduced in 2017 and has been held in venues around Glasgow and Edinburgh including O2 ABC, King Tut’s and The Queen’s Hall, will also be transformed into a virtual event, broadcast as a YouTube Premier.
Following the livestream event, the 20-strong longlist will then be cut down to a shortlist of only 10 albums, one of which will be chosen by music fans via a 72-hour online public vote. The remaining nine albums will be chosen by The SAY Award judging panel.
