CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

SAY Award opens applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award

A search for new Scottish talent has officially launched with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award opening applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

SAY Award opens applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award

Article Source: SAY Award
Last Updated: 31 July 2024 10:30

31st July - The country’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, has opened applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

Artists can apply for The Sound of Young Scotland Award for FREE via www.sayaward.com until midnight on Wednesday 21st August.

The next generation of Scottish talent can apply to win a funding package worth up to £10,000 to support the creation of their debut album, as well as gain the coveted title of the Sound of Young Scotland at this year’s prestigious SAY Award Ceremony in Stirling. The award is supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music, with the aim of stimulating and supporting the future of Scottish music. The package 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.

Plus, The SAY Award has revealed over 300 eligible albums have been submitted and are now being considered for 2024’s prize. Albums from artists including Mercury Prize nominated Barry Can’t Swim, Siobhan Wilson, The Snuts and more were submitted, with all 300 albums now being considered for Scotland’s national music prize and the £20,000 prize.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award is now in its fourth year, having supported and championed some of the country’s brightest emerging talent. Previous winners include LVRA (2021), Berta Kennedy (2022) and No Windows (2023). To be eligible for the award, artists must be: 18 – 25, have never released an album and be a ‘Scottish’ artist (born in Scotland, 50% of core members born in Scotland, or have made Scotland their creative base for the past two years). View full eligibility criteria and prize fund conditions at www.sayaward.com

The Sound of Young Scotland Award winner will be unveiled at the prestigious SAY Award Ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24th October, alongside the winner of The Scottish Album of the Year Award and the Modern Scottish Classic Award. A limited number of early-bird Ceremony tickets are on sale now via www.sayaward.com

Morag Macdonald, Youth Music Initiative Manager at Creative Scotland, said: “The Sound of Young Scotland Award is a life-changing opportunity that platforms Scotland’s most exciting young musicians while supporting one act to realise their ambitions of creating a debut album. With support from the Scottish Government, the Youth Music Initiative recognises the value and importance of this award in removing barriers to access for young people in music and take this significant step in progressing their career in music.”

2024’s funding package includes:
• Cash grants totaling £5,500 to go towards activities such as studio hire costs, session musician fees, equipment rentals and more.
• In-kind use of The Tolbooth’s recording studio in Stirling – up to 6 days recording time and 3 days mixing/mastering, or use of venue space for filming and photo requirements
• A performance slot at 2025’s SAY Award ceremony, one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, in front of industry professionals, journalists and music fans
• A bespoke art prize from The SAY Award Design Commission
• 6 hours of one-to-one business advice from industry experts, arranged via Help Musicians
• Online meet-ups with other Help Musicians’ awardees and industry guests, arranged via Help Musicians
• Invites to online peer drop-in spaces with other musicians, arranged via Help Musicians (optional)
• Access to a healthy practice session delivered by BAPAM, arranged via Help Musicians (optional)
• A run of up to 250 vinyl pressings of the album created via the prize; provided in-kind by Seabass Vinyl, Scotland’s first vinyl pressing plant

The cash grants provided via The Sound of Young Scotland Award include support directly from:
• Help Musicians’ Next Level Award, designed to support musicians ready to pursue a career-changing opportunity.
• Youth Music’s NextGen Fund; designed to support early-stage musicians and wider music adjacent creatives to invest in their own projects and make their ideas happen.

A cross-genre judging panel of 11 previous SAY Award nominees will review eligible Sound of Young Scotland Award submissions, whittling applicants down to five. The five finalists will be announced alongside The SAY Award Shortlist, before the judging panel reconvenes to choose the final winner.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award is supported by Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland and Youth Music, with the aim of stimulating and supporting the future of Scottish music. Help Musicians is a charity for professional musicians of all genres, giving them the support they need at all stages throughout their career, whilst Youth Music is the country’s leading young people’s music charity, believing that every young person should have the chance to make, learn and earn in music. The Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative is administered by Creative Scotland and aims to provide access to music-making opportunities for children and young people who may not normally have the chance to participate. Together, the three organisations will support the delivery of this year’s Sound of Young Scotland Award; paving the way for future generations of Scottish musicians to thrive and contribute to the country’s world-class recorded output.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award winner will also receive a bespoke prize created by a Stirling-based artist via The SAY Award Design Commission. Expressions of interest for Stirling-based artists are open until Monday 5th August, with local creatives encouraged to design an award with sustainability at its forefront. To enter the Design Commision visit www.sayaward.com/designcommission

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 and Music Declares Emergency.

The SAY Award’s charity partner is once again 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).

Early-bird SAY Award Ceremony tickets on sale now via www.sayaward.com £18 + booking fee

Don’t miss The SAY Award 2024 news - follow the award on social media across Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram @sayaward, Facebook @SAYaward and TikTok @thesayaward

Image: SYS 2023 winners No Windows
Image credit: Euan Robertson

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
The Quay
Great Run Company
One Ren
Media Shop
One Ren
St Columba's School

Latest Renfrewshire News

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!

READ MORE
Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

READ MORE
Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

READ MORE
Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Treasure Trove Scotland are inviting members of the public to bring their finds to be assessed as part of a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life.

READ MORE
Renfrew set to welcome top Scottish pipers and drummers

Renfrew set to welcome top Scottish pipers and drummers

Renfrew's Robertson Park will host Scotland's top piping talent once again as the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition returns to the town on Saturday 19th July.

READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Winter Connections programme boasts success for third year

Winter Connections programme boasts success for third year

Thousands of people across Renfrewshire have benefitted from Winter Connections running for a third year.

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Major donation of Scottish artworks boosts Renfrewshire civic collection

Major donation of Scottish artworks boosts Renfrewshire civic collection

A magnificent collection of artworks has been donated to Renfrewshire's civic collection by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, in memory of her late husband, John Shaw.

READ MORE
Renfrewshire launches Summer of Fun free activity programme

Renfrewshire launches Summer of Fun free activity programme

The new free summer activities programme for Renfrewshire children, young people and families is now available.

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Thousands turn out to celebrate Sma Shot Day 2025

Thousands turn out to celebrate Sma Shot Day 2025

Thousands turned out to enjoy a day of fantastic live entertainment at Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations on Saturday!

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Jason Manford to play Paisley Town Hall as part of tour

Jason Manford to play Paisley Town Hall as part of tour

Comedian, actor, singer and presenter is latest big name to announce date at venue.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Set sail for Paisley and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas!

Set sail for Paisley and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas!

Ahoy there mateys! The Pirates of Paisley is this year's must visit FREE summer brick adventure!

READ MORE
Paisley Town Hall bells mark Imagination Library becoming permanent

Paisley Town Hall bells mark Imagination Library becoming permanent

Much loved reading programme, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Renfrewshire, celebrated becoming permanent with bell chimes.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
Crowds celebrate the summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Crowds celebrate the summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Thousands turned out to celebrate summer at Barshaw Park on Saturday for Barshaw Gala Day.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Grab your free reusable cup!

Grab your free reusable cup!

Fancy grabbing a free reusable takeaway cup and then getting a discount on your next drink from some of our local cafes?

READ MORE
Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust to create brand new artificial pitches in Renfrewshire

Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust to create brand new artificial pitches in Renfrewshire

Two major community sports projects in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a significant funding boost.

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Refurbished play park is a big success with local pupils

Refurbished play park is a big success with local pupils

Pupils from Auchenlodment Primary School in Johnstone gave their refurbished play park a big thumbs up after it underwent a major upgrade earlier this year.

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Clan Wrestling returns to Braehead Arena with former WWE Champions

Clan Wrestling returns to Braehead Arena with former WWE Champions

After their first event in March, Clash of the Clans, Clan Wrestling makes its return to Braehead Arena on Saturday 6th September for its second event!

READ MORE
Renfrewshire invited to honour Armed Forces community

Renfrewshire invited to honour Armed Forces community

The Armed Forces Day flag will be raised outside Renfrewshire House on Friday in a short service to mark Armed Forces Day.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Link
Pace Youth Theatre
Paisley First
Glasgow Science Centre
Paisley Town Hall Wedding Fayre
Go Radio
ATG

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
The Quay
Great Run Company
One Ren
Media Shop
One Ren
St Columba's School
Link
Pace Youth Theatre
Paisley First
Glasgow Science Centre
Paisley Town Hall Wedding Fayre
Go Radio
ATG

Popular Events

Carnival Crazy Weekend At IKEA Glasgow
Join the team at IKEA Glasgow for a vibrant and fun filled carnival themed weekend that promises to bring enjoyment for the whole family!
Stitch & Kin Family Sewing Workshop
Join Stitch & Kin at Kilmacolm Community Centre for their beginners sewing class for parents & carers and their children to learn to sew together.
Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series - Paisley Rediscovered
Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series is a set of Heritage talks looking at the town of Paisley from earliest times until the mid 20th Century, the first talk explores the foundation of the town.
Ferguslie Cricket Club Fixtures
Ferguslie Cricket Club play Dumfries Cricket Club at Meikleriggs Cricket Ground on Saturday 19th July in the Western District Championship.
An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret
An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret is back in town with a dazzling new production, don't miss it at Beacon Arts Centre on Saturday 16th May!

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley