Stirling to host 2022 Scottish Album of the Year Award ceremony

Stirling is to host the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award ceremony for the first time later this year.

The city’s Albert Halls will host artists, industry professionals and music fans for the annual celebration of Scottish musical talent on October 20.

The event was announced via a projection display on the nearby National Wallace Monument featuring lyrics from Dougie MacLean’s iconic song Caledonia.

The singer-songwriter lived in Dunblane as a child and still enjoys a close connection with the area.

The SAY Award ceremony will mark the culmination of a four-month campaign celebrating Scottish music and the cultural impact of outstanding Scottish albums, with the main winner receiving a £20,000 first prize and walking away with the coveted title of Scottish Album of the 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 McLean 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.”

Caledonia lyrics projected onto the Wallace Monument (Pic: Ryan Buchanan)

Submissions for the award will open on July 1, with a longlist of 20 albums collated by 100 impartial nominators from across the journalism, music retail and music venue sectors.

The longlist will then be whittled down to a shortlist of 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, who will then reconvene at the ceremony to decide on 2022’s winner.

Now in its eleventh year, previous winners of the prize include Mogwai, Young Fathers and Kathryn Joseph.

For tickets and more information visit sayaward.com