GUITARGUITAR SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCES FIRST WINNERS FOR 2026

The first winners have been revealed for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards 2026, with David Byrne, Susan Boyle, The Fratellis and Cammy Barnes set to be honoured at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom.

Since its inception in 1999, the Scottish Music Awards has raised more than £800,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, helping to fund vital music therapy for people across Scotland and the UK, train future music therapists and support research into the impact of music therapy.

Bringing together internationally celebrated Scottish names, enduring musical favourites and one of the country’s fastest-rising new artists, the announcement offers the first glimpse of this year’s awards, with more winners and performers still to be revealed.

The annual celebration of Scottish music will return to the Barrowland Ballroom on 7 November 2026, raising vital funds for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins while recognising artists from across generations and genres.

David Byrne will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, sponsored by GUITARGUITAR. 

Born in Dumbarton in 1952, Byrne co-founded Talking Heads in New York in 1975, going on to become one of the most innovative and influential artists of his generation.

Across eight studio albums, Talking Heads created a body of work that included classics such as ‘Psycho Killer’, ‘Burning Down the House’ and ‘Life During Wartime’, before the band disbanded in 1991. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Byrne has continued to push creative boundaries throughout his solo career, working across music, film, television and theatre. His acclaimed American Utopia became a Broadway production, while his film work includes winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score for The Last Emperor.

The award also brings Byrne’s remarkable career back to where it began in Scotland. His first Scottish show with Talking Heads came in 1977, when the band supported The Ramones at Strathclyde University Students’ Union in Glasgow.

Remembering that early appearance, Byrne said: 

“It was exciting and I felt very comfortable. It was great to be invited to play Strathclyde University students’ union. We were playing a lot of those kinds of places all over.”

Reflecting on just how far his career has travelled since that Glasgow show, Byrne added: “What did I think would happen? I thought … we might get to make a second record. My concerns were really immediate. Can we play some tours and not lose money? If we make another record … what will we do differently?”

He continued: “I didn’t have big visions of … oh, someday I’m gonna do this, or someday I’m gonna do that. No, I couldn’t think that far.”

Susan Boyle will receive the Icon Award, sponsored by the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation, which has supported the event for more than 25 years. 

Since her unforgettable breakthrough on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, the West Lothian singer has become one of Scotland’s most successful musical exports, selling more than 21 million albums worldwide and achieving No. 1 albums in more than 40 countries.

With more than 890 million audio streams, over 120 platinum and gold album certifications across 38 countries, two Grammy nominations and three Guinness World Records, Boyle has built an extraordinary international career. Her unmistakable voice and ability to connect with audiences around the world have made her one of Scotland’s most beloved and distinctive musical talents.

Speaking on the award, Susan Boyle said: “I’m truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive this award. Scotland has given me so much love and encouragement throughout my journey, and to be recognised among so many wonderful Scottish artists, means more than I can put into words.

I’ve always simply loved to sing, and I feel incredibly lucky that people have allowed me to share that love with them. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, believed in me, and stayed with me along the way.

This is a very special moment, and I will treasure it always. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

The Fratellis will receive the Raymond Weil Classic Album Award, recognising the enduring impact of their platinum-selling debut album Costello Music, as the band prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a major UK tour in early 2027.

Formed in Glasgow in 2005, the band quickly established themselves as one of Scotland’s best-loved indie-rock exports, with Costello Music and its era-defining hit ‘Chelsea Dagger’ taking them to audiences around the world. Two decades on, the album remains a defining record of its era, with The Fratellis marking the milestone with a 16-date UK tour across January, February and March 2027, including two nights at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on 19 and 20 February and a final show at London’s Eventim Apollo on 13 March.

Cammy Barnes will receive the Artist of the Year Award, sponsored by Go Radio. One of Scotland’s fastest-rising country artists, the Fife-born singer has built a distinctive sound blending contemporary country with Scottish traditional influences, amassing more than 100 million streams and views worldwide.

Following two sold-out debut shows at the Barrowland Ballroom, Barnes has announced his first-ever arena headline show at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 23 April 2027, marking another major milestone in his rapid rise. With a debut album on the horizon and a growing international fanbase, Barnes is establishing himself as one of the most exciting new voices in UK country music.

Speaking about the award, Barnes said: “Honestly, it means the world to be named Artist of the Year. The last couple of years have been absolutely mental, and I never take for granted that I get to do this for a living and have so many people backing me along the way. To get this kind of recognition at home in Scotland is really special, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.”

Returning to Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom for its sixth year, the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards celebrates the extraordinary breadth of talent emerging from Scotland, shining a light on established stars alongside the artists shaping the future of the scene. The awards also continue to support Nordoff and Robbins, helping fund its vital music therapy programmes for people living with life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation across the UK.
 
Adam Speck, Marketing Director at GUITARGUITAR said: “Everyone at GUITARGUITAR is delighted to be involved in the Scottish Music Awards again this year. With David Byrne, Susan Boyle, The Fratellis and Cammy Barnes among the first winners announced, it’s a brilliant celebration of the breadth of Scottish musical talent. As an employee-owned business run by passionate musicians, we’re proud to support Nordoff and Robbins and help bring the power of music to more people who need it. The GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards always bring together an amazing community of artists, fans and people from across the music industry, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom this November.”
 
GUITARGUITAR (www.guitarguitar.co.uk), the UK’s largest guitar retailer with stores across the country including Glasgow and Edinburgh, will return this year as the event’s headline sponsors. Their backing will continue the event’s mission of championing Scottish music and sustaining Nordoff and Robbins’ transformational work.