Stars in town for Scottish Music Awards at SEC

The 20th annual SSE Scottish Music Awards took place at the SEC in Glasgow last night. The best of Scotland’s music industry join forces to celebrate, whilst raising cash for Nordoff Robbins Scotland.

Guests were treated to performances from Snow Patrol, Susan Boyle, Amy Macdonald, Kyle Falconer, Tom Grennan, The Snuts and HYYTS.

Opening the night Susan Boyle made her return to the public stage singing a rendition of ‘Wild Horses’ before accepting the first award of the night, Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award sponsored by The Royal Highland Centre. Susan said, “I’m very humbled and pleased. I’d like to congratulate Nordoff Robbins on their anniversary. Thank you so much, I will treasure this.”

Amy Macdonald returned to the awards, eleven years after winning Best Newcomer in 2007 to perform her massive hits, ‘Woman of the World’ and ‘This Is The Life’ followed by performances from SSE Scottish Music Awards returning winner Kyle Falconer, and The Snuts.

Kyle was awarded Best Album sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe and said “I'm beyond proud to receive 'Best Album' for my first solo project. I put my heart & soul into that record and for it to be appreciated by any human is acceptance enough for me but to receive such a significant award as this, has been the cherry on the cake of a truly brilliant year. Thank you!

The Snuts picked up Breakthrough Artist sponsored by Rekorderlig Cider before performing their, appropriately titled, hit ‘Glasgow’. If the reaction to tonight’s performance from the West Lothian fourpiece is anything to go by, The Snuts are stars on the rise and quickly becoming one of the most talked about bands in the country.

A particular highlight of the night included a personalised video message from Annie Lennox who was awarded the Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award sponsored by The Royal Highland Centre.

The iconic singer said: “I just wanted to say thank you so much for giving me this very special award. I’m very very sorry that I can’t join you tonight, but I’m there with you in spirit. I’m so proud of the work that Nordoff Robbins does and all I can say to you is thank you, thank you, thank you. Have a great evening!”

Hosted once again by comedian Sanjeev Kohli, the star-studded SSE Scottish Music Awards’ audience were kept laughing but were also privy to poignant stories from beneficiaries of Nordoff Robbins Scotland, when Paul took to the stage to inform the audience exactly how music therapy benefits his daughter Holly.

“Holly was born with a genetic condition, which sometimes seemed that she wanted to live in her own little world, she's a happy child and very resilient. Music therapy has had a big impact on her life - it was as if the music had awoken something inside her. She skips to school, she swims and goes to girl guides - we take this for granted but for Holly this is a huge achievement. We thank Nordoff Robbins from the bottom of our hearts."

One of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for homegrown heroes Snow Patrol, as they were honoured with the SSE Artist of the Year Award sponsored by SSE, with frontman Gary Lightbody saying, “We feel totally accepted in Glasgow and it is still a massive part of our hearts."

Embedded in the fabric of the Scottish music industry, Snow Patrol are no strangers to accolades around the world and seeing them return to the Glasgow stage was a real highlight. The band performed an exquisite acoustic set playing ‘Run’, ‘Chasing Cars’, ‘Just Say Yes’ and ‘Empress’.

Another outstanding performance of the night came from the Lomond and Clyde pipe band, representing the winners of the Glasgow, Unesco City of Music Best Live Event Award – the World Pipe Band Championships. The Evolution Award sponsored by the Sunday Mail went to iconic Glasgow venue SWG3 while the Electronic Music Award sponsored by Sub Club went to the sensational Scottish DJ Eclair Fifi. Local hero Kevin Bridges won the Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award sponsored by Ticketmaster, a well-deserved nod to his recent 19 sold out dates at The SSE Hydro.

Best International Artist sponsored by Specsavers went to fan-favourites The Script after a year which saw them play an outstanding set at Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival. Currently in the studio, the Irish trio sent a message saying, “Hello to everybody at the SSE Scottish Music Awards, we are very sorry we can’t be there right now to have a few drinks and enjoy this incredible award. It’s the Specsavers International Award and we’d love to thank all our fans, all the Scottish audience you have always put us in your hearts. We just want to say thank you so much to The Script family, but most of all to you guys, have an amazing time tonight – we wish we were there, we’re sorry, but have a few champagnes for us!”

The prestigious Music Business Award sponsored by Sir Reo Stakis Foundation was next, and despite winner Gary Clark being unable to attend himself, a band he has been instrumental in putting together, HYYTS took to the stage to perform. The Glasgow duo have written and producer their edgy electronica pop alongside the music legend, and were delighted to represent him alongside his wife Alison on the night.

Another touching moment in the emotional night was when Frightened Rabbit were awarded the Song Writing Award sponsored by King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, presented by DF Concerts CEO Geoff Ellis. As the band accepted the award, Grant Hutchison said "Can we all just go away from tonight and do one thing. Say to yourself "While I'm alive I'll make tiny changes to earth."

For the final award and performance of the night, it was the turn of the Best UK Artist Award sponsored by ROX – Diamond and Thrills. Making his debut at the SSE Scottish Music Awards, winner Tom Grennan rounded the night off in spectacular fashion, performing his mammoth hits including ‘Royal Highness’, ‘Barbed Wire’ and ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’. Tom was clearly ecstatic to have won, saying “Scotland I'm honoured to receive this award, it's my first award. But tonight is not about me, it's about Holly and the charity - let's have a party!"

Another star-studded year celebrating the biggest and best in the Scottish music industry was over and it was clear the 20th year of the SSE Scottish Music Awards was one for the history books. From living legends to rising stars, it was a night to remember the vibrant and ever-changing Scottish music scene and why it is revered around the world, while raising vital funds for the life-changing work of Nordoff Robbins Scotland.

Colin Banks, Head of Sponsorship at SSE said, “We are delighted to return as sponsors of the SSE Scottish Music Awards and it is a pleasure to support such a fantastic event in its momentous 20th year. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Nordoff Robbins Scotland on reaching this milestone and hosting another brilliant event this evening."