| Nordoff Robbins have today announced the return of The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards for 2019. Now in its 21st year, the prestigious award ceremony will once again raise vital funds for the music therapy charity and honour the very best in Scottish music across one star-studded, unmissable night. The charity has unveiled the first nominees and performers for this year’s awards, with the legendary Simple Minds set to take to the stage alongside one of the biggest breakthrough artists of the last year, Tom Walker as well as Joesef, one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists capturing huge industry buzz right now. New for 2019, the awards will be hosted by Scotland’s very own Edith Bowman. Promising to be one of the biggest nights of the year in the Scottish music calendar, Nordoff Robbins and sponsors Specsavers will return to Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on Saturday 30th November to honour and reward some of music’s biggest stars, whilst raising funds for the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity. |
| Jill McArthur, Chair of Specsavers in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support this year’s 2019 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. “The work of Nordoff Robbins and The Scottish Music Awards is a true inspiration to the people of Scotland which is why Specsavers has returned as headline sponsor of the event for this year. “We look forward to working with both the event organisers and charity to ensure the 2019 awards are the most successful to-date and we wish all artists the best of luck on the evening.” Some of the most legendary figures in Scottish music have been awarded over the years at the prestigious ceremony with previous winners including Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Annie Lennox and after another triumphant year for the nation’s music scene, an incredible mix of iconic acts and breakthrough stars will be honoured at 2019’s event. This year’s host, Edith Bowman, said “There are so many reasons why I’m honoured to be hosting this years awards. One of those being to celebrate the amazing achievements of musicians , old and new, while reminding people about the continued outstanding talent Scotland nurtures.” |
| Formed in Glasgow in 1977, Simple Minds have sold more than 70 million records over the last four decades. With six UK Number One albums to their name, the band have one of the most iconic back catalogues in music history, ranging from electronica infused post-punk to strident, stadium-filling anthems. Over their 40-year career, the band have been responsible for some of the most innovate and enduring anthems in rock music including ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Belfast Child’. Having collaborated with artists from Bono to David Bowie to Iggy Pop, Simple Minds are, quite simply, one of Scotland’s biggest exports to the international music scene. Nominated for the Specsavers Outstanding Contribution to Music, Simple Minds will also perform at the awards ceremony at the intimate Old Fruitmarket. BRIT Award winner Tom Walker will perform at this year’s awards, nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album Award. Born in Kilsyth before moving to England, the singer-songwriter has a special place in his heart for Glasgow, with his Scottish gran at the forefront of his Brit Award winners’ speech in February. With heartfelt, singalong singles like ‘Leave a Light On’ and ‘Just You and I’ Tom Walker’s intimate performance at the Old Fruitmarket will be a real highlight of the awards ceremony. A long-time supporter of Nordoff Robbins, Tom’s single ‘Leave a Light On’ received an update from Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and the new track was released earlier this year in aid of the charity, as Tom and the Pipers performed the duet everywhere from Glasgow’s Buchanan Street to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium. Tom Walker said, “I’ve just heard the absolutely sick news that I’ve been nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album at the Scottish Music Awards. I won UK Breakthrough before I even had an album out, which was the first award I ever got for my music. It was a huge honour and a real boost for me to have that support, so to be coming back again and nominated for this is just amazing. You can help Nordoff Robbins right now by downloading the version of Leave A Light On I did with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – all the money from that helps them to keep doing their life-changing work. Thank you Scotland!” Watch Tom’s reaction video here. |
| Always supporting the nation’s most exciting emerging artists, previous Scottish Music Awards have seen the likes of Lewis Capaldi and Nina Nesbitt scoop awards. Looking to follow in their footsteps, rising star Joesef has been nominated for Coors’ Best Breakthrough Artist. With his distinctively soulful vocals, the artist from the East End of Glasgow has captured the attention of fans and tastemakers alike from well beyond the confines of his hometown with tracks like ‘Limbo’, ‘Loverboy’ and latest single ‘Don’t Give In’. With three sold-out nights at Glasgow’s iconic King Tut’s already under his belt, and a date at SWG3 in December, the singer-songwriter has already carefully crafted a sound that feels incredibly vital and unique to the city’s constantly developing soundscape. Joesef said, “Cheers to Nordoff Robbins for thinking of me as a nominee for the Best Breakthrough award. I still don’t feel like I’ve even kicked a ball yet so this is pretty special.” |
| Set to feature one of its biggest and most exciting line-ups to date, this year’s glittering ceremony will shine a light on those acts who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish music throughout their career as well as those who have made a significant impact over the last 12 months. Making its 21st celebrations even bigger and better, Nordoff Robbins have invited the outstanding Edith Bowman to present the awards this year. There is no one who knows the Scottish music scene better than the Scots DJ and Presenter, making her the perfect host for the evening’s proceedings on St Andrew’s Day in Glasgow celebrating all things Scotland. Shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated music events of the year, The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards have been the main fundraising event for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins for over 20 years. Funds raised on the night are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most. 2018’s winners and attendees included Susan Boyle, Snow Patrol, Mark Knopfler, Tom Grennan, The Snuts and Amy Macdonald. |
| For tickets to the Scottish Music Awards please contact: Simon.Foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk For further information on Nordoff Robbins visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk |