There are few places in the world quite like Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. Beneath its famous stars, generations of musicians have made their mark, from local bands taking their first steps to global superstars playing the sort of shows that become part of music folklore.
It was a fitting setting for the Scottish Music Awards on Saturday night, when some of the biggest names in Scottish music came together to celebrate the country’s extraordinary musical heritage and the new generation of artists following in their footsteps.
Susan Boyle, Big Country, The Fratellis, David Byrne and Calvin Harris were among the winners at a ceremony which also recognised some of the brightest emerging talents in the country.
For me, one of the most appealing things about the Scottish Music Awards is the way it brings together musicians from different generations, genres and backgrounds. Established names who have sold millions of records share the spotlight with young performers whose careers are only just beginning.
There were live performances from The Fratellis, Big Country, Valtos, Cammy Barnes, Jacob Alon, Kerr Mercer and Abbie Gordon. It made for an evening that reflected the remarkable variety of music being produced in Scotland.
Susan Boyle was one of the night’s biggest names, receiving the Icon Award almost two decades after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent turned her into an international sensation.
“I’d like to thank the Music Awards for this award. I still don’t know why I’m an icon, but thank you!” she told the audience.
“I’m also a patron of Nordoff and Robbins. We do a lot of good work and it’s an absolute privilege to stand here as a representative. I’m very humbled and privileged.”
Glasgow’s own Fratellis were honoured with the Classic Album Award, recognising a band whose songs have become part of the soundtrack of Scottish life.
Big Country received the Outstanding Achievement Award, a reminder of the enduring influence of a group whose distinctive guitar sound carried Scottish rock music around the world.
David Byrne, the Scottish-born former Talking Heads frontman, received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, although he was not there in person. Scottish music broadcaster Billy Sloan and GUITARGUITAR’s Mark McKenzie accepted the honour on his behalf.
Calvin Harris, another Scot who has enjoyed astonishing international success, won Best Live Artist, with DF Concerts boss Geoff Ellis collecting the award on his behalf.
Jacob Alon, the Fife-born singer-songwriter whose debut album In Limerence earned a Mercury Prize nomination, received the Breakthrough Award. Cammy Barnes was named Artist of the Year, while Rianne Downey picked up the Evolution Award.
There was recognition too for Kerr Mercer, who received the Spotlight Award, and Valtos, whose fusion of traditional Scottish music and electronic sounds earned them the Sound of Scotland Award.
Callum Beattie won Best Album, while musician and songwriter Graham Lyle received the Music Industry Award.
Lyle, whose career has taken his songwriting around the world, spoke movingly about what the recognition meant to him.
“Scotland’s where my heart is you know, that’s the fact and to be appreciated from a country that I grew up in as a kid and started playing guitar for the first time hoping to get somewhere with it, you know it’s wonderful to come full circle back to Scotland again.”
The evening was hosted by Still Game and Dept. Q actor Sanjeev Kohli, who is also a passionate music enthusiast.
I had caught up with Sanjeev at GUITARGUITAR on Glasgow’s Trongate ahead of the awards, where he was preparing for a guitar lesson.
He spoke about the importance of music in his own life and the remarkable work being done by Nordoff and Robbins, the music therapy charity that benefits from the annual ceremony.
“I’ve had mental health struggles and music has got me through it. I think we all know how music can affect your mood,” he said.
“So when you see what Nordoff & Robbins do, and I’ve been to a couple of sessions, you see the impact, you see the light in people’s eyes with music therapy. And that’s what music can do. It can open doors that maybe you didn’t know were there.”
It is an important part of what makes the Scottish Music Awards different from so many other industry celebrations.
The event is now in its 28th year and has become a fixture in the Scottish music calendar. This year’s ceremony raised £205,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, which provides specialist music therapy for people living with illness, disability and social isolation.
Last year alone, the charity delivered 7,255 therapy sessions to 1,642 people at 51 locations across Scotland.
Over the years, funds raised through the awards have helped make an estimated 150,000 music therapy sessions possible.
It was a point captured by Jacob Alon, who spoke about the role music has played in their own life.
“Music has saved me many, many times and gives me a reason to keep living. And so the fact that that could give someone some peace through therapy is a beautiful thing.”
For all the famous names, the awards and the performances, that was perhaps the most important message to emerge from the Barrowland.
Scotland has an extraordinary musical heritage, from the international success of artists such as David Byrne, Susan Boyle and Calvin Harris to the enduring appeal of Big Country and The Fratellis. There is clearly another generation of talented musicians ready to make its mark.
The Scottish Music Awards celebrated both on Saturday night, while reminding us of the power of music to change someone’s life.