The Say Award announce Live Showcase line up for 2020 award ceremony

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award today announce an incredible line-up of emerging artists set to perform at this year’s online award ceremony.

Article Source: Material
Last Updated: 16 October 2020 13:58

THE SAY AWARD ANNOUNCE LIVE SHOWCASE LINE-UP FOR 2020 AWARD CEREMONY, INCLUDING HAPPY SPENDY, KAPIL SESHASAYEE, VLURE AND ZOE GRAHAM

WINNER OF £20,000 PRIZE AND COVETED TITLE WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA DIGITAL BROADCAST ON 29TH OCTOBER

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award today announce an incredible line-up of emerging artists set to perform at this year’s online award ceremony. Filmed at Edinburgh’s Summerhall, the four acts chosen to perform are Happy Spendy, Kapil Seshasayee, Vlure and Zoe Graham.

The SAY Award ceremony traditionally provides a showcasing opportunity for some of Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists. The artists chosen to showcase usually perform to an invited audience of over 800 guests, made up of artists, industry professionals and press and media from across the UK. This year, broadcasting as a YouTube Premiere from 7pm on 29th October, fans from across the world are invited to tune in to discover their new favourite act, as well as find out who will collect one of the most lucrative prize funds in the UK as the Scottish Album of the Year winner is announced, collecting £20,000 along with the coveted title.

Ensure you don’t miss The SAY Award ceremony by subscribing to The SAY Award YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAYaward

With this year’s SAY Award campaign going digital for the first time ever due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, fans around the world now have the chance to be front-row at the traditionally industry-only exclusive final award ceremony, broadcasting as a YouTube Premiere. Set to be an outstanding celebration of the country’s flourishing and diverse music scene, Glasgow based synth-pop purveyors of feelgood sad songs Happy Spendy will perform on the night, having released their brand new compilation album ‘You’re Doing Okay’ in June this year, which received support from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio Scotland. They will be joined by songwriter and soundsmith Kapil Seshasayee who combines electronica flourishes with Indian Classical guitar, stunning vocals and unorthodox instrumentation to create some of Scotland’s most exciting new sounds, hailed by the likes of VICE and Pitchfork. Glasgow five-piece VLURE also join the line-up, with synth laden hooks and club influenced rhythm twisting around emotionally confronting lyrics, the band create an intense, life affirming live show which will be extremely welcome in a year sorely missing live performances. Singer-songwriter Zoe Graham completes The SAY Award ceremony line-up, perfecting her knack for refining universal emotions into electronic pop and having just released her new EP ‘Gradual Move’ last month, Zoe is a true star on the rise.

One artist and their album will then be crowned the Scottish Album of the Year, in turn collecting £20,000 – one of the most lucrative prize funds in the UK – and a bespoke physical award, created by Glasgow based designer and architect Rekha Barry.

The 2020 Judging Panel, who will decide the ultimate winner of the award, is chaired by John Williamson and includes: Ally McCrae (Producer, BBC), Charlotte Dryden (CEO, NI Music Prize), Dirk Löwenberg (Head of Member Services, GVL), Edith Bowman (Broadcaster), Fay Milton (Founder of SAY Award charity partner, Music Declares Emergency), Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1 Presenter), Jess Brough (Founder/Director of Fringe of Colour), Kieran Hurley (Playwright), Maurits Westerik (Director, Best Kept Secret Festival), Solène Lorry (Head of Label & Artist Relations (France), YouTube), Wezi Mhura (Creative Producer & Founder of AfriFest & BLM Mural Trail).

This year’s Shortlist of ten includes a record-breaking eight debut albums; a first in the history of the award. The 10 Shortlisted albums in the running for the Scottish Album of the Year Award title are:

The SAY Award Shortlist for 2020:
Blanck Mass Animated Violence Mild
Bossy Love Me + U
Callum Easter Here Or Nowhere
Cloth Cloth
Comfort Not Passing
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West Cheaply Bought, Expensively Sold
Erland Cooper Sule Skerry
The Ninth Wave Infancy
NOVA RE-UP
SHHE SHHE

2020’s Shortlist provides a snapshot of the strength and diversity of Scotland’s music scene, spanning a range of genres and styles to celebrate the country’s most outstanding albums, and the incredible network of people who created them. Each Shortlisted album has won a guaranteed minimum prize of £1,000, and will receive an exclusively designed art prize.

In a special one off series to celebrate the Shortlist, The SAY Award have teamed up with Tim Burgess’ Twitter Listening Parties to bring music fans together to discover their new favourite Scottish album each evening from 26th - 28th October, prior to the winner announcement on Thursday 29th October. Timings for The SAY Award special #TimsTwitterListeningParty can be found on timstwitterlisteningparty.com

For 2020’s SAY Award, a record-breaking 362 eligible album submissions were narrowed down to the 20-strong Longlist by 100 impartial nominators; representing a variety of genres including jazz, classical, hip-hop, pop, trad folk, rock, electronic, indie and many more. The Longlist has now been whittled down to a Shortlist of just 10 albums, with the final winner chosen by the esteemed Judging Panel.

Developed and produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), the 2020 campaign is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, YouTube Music, 54EP, Sweetdram, Culture & Business Fund Scotland via Arts & Business Scotland, PPL, Summerhall, Ticketmaster and new charity partner Music Declares Emergency.

Previous winners of The SAY Award include 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).

To keep up with The SAY Award 2020 journey, make sure you follow the award on Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram @sayaward and Facebook @SAYaward

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Fife News

Eden Mill Unveils World Class Distillery and Visitor Centre in St Andrews

Eden Mill has cut the ribbon on its landmark new distillery and visitor centre on the banks of the Eden Estuary, just outside the historic Home of Golf.

Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted

There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!

Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign

Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!

Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced

Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!

Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities

Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.

Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir

Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.

First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards

Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!

Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History

Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.

Autumn events at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed for cosy coastal retreats and joyful pre-festive celebrations.

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign

The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.

Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol

With the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!

Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it

Seachdain na Gàidhlig will return in 2026, under the banner Use It or Lose It – and organisers are encouraging people across Scotland and the global diaspora to get behind the rallying cry.

Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge

Brits are now picking up the cafetière, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts revealing a 10% rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels and resorts in the past year.

Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue

Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.

Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season

Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.

CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween

Children's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!

SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.

Beatson Cancer Charity and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service join forces for Blood Cancer Awareness Month

For the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.

A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.

Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party

It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!

Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month

Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.

Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland

Vikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.

Popular Listings

Adam Smith Theatre Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Carnegie Hall Corn Exchange Cupar Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Lochgelly Centre PJ Molloys Rothes Halls Teasses Estate The Byre Theatre St Andrews

The Say Award announce Live Showcase line up for 2020 award ceremony

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award today announce an incredible line-up of emerging artists set to perform at this year’s online award ceremony.

Sponsored Links

Latest Fife News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings