INCLUSION, DIVERSITY & HEART | SAMAs CHAMPION SCOTLAND’S HIDDEN MUSICAL GEMS
Last week, Scotland’s annual SAMAs returned to Glasgow’s St Lukes for another edition of the much anticipated award ceremony. A night of live music, industry celebration and emotional speeches, the Scottish Alternative Music Awards was everything that makes the Scottish music scene so supportive, collective and unique.
Established in 2009 by PITCH Scotland co-founder Richy Muirhead whilst he was still a student with nothing more than big ambitions, the SAMAs are at the pulse of Scotland’s emerging music scene, shining the spotlight on the country’s hidden alternative gems. The seven award categories – Best Live Act, Best Metal, Best Acoustic, Best Electronic, Best Hip Hop, Best Rock/Alternative and Best Newcomer – are nominated by a panel of leading industry professionals with the shortlist being put to a public vote. Having previously awarded the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Gerry Cinnamon, Fatherson and The Snuts over the years, being championed with a SAMA is not just another accolade to add to a press release, but a potential breakthrough moment for any of its winners.
This year, fans, creatives and professionals gathered at St Lukes on a freezing cold late November evening, ready to celebrate in style and we were there to capture every moment as it happened.
Walking into the church turned live music venue, the sound was ripping through the door and it could only mean one thing in our ears – Lo Rays had arrived. Having kept a watchful eye on Lo Rays over the past couple of years, I had high expectations of what they would sound like live, but I was bowled over at what I witnessed. They were outstanding. The precision, production, energy and theatrics were perfectly choreographed throughout, leaving a mesmerising display of power and craft. Their sound balanced heavy with charm – like an industrial explosion of steam punk noise, the packed out room was hooked. Led by Finnish powerhouse lead Laura Takala and backed by a trio of roaring sound, the performance even featured a choreographed dancers and Laura climbing the room’s pillars – all before the ceremony officially got underway.
Hosted by the lovely BBC Scotland Introducing presenter Stephanie Cheape, the presenter kept the banter flowing between entertainment and winners. The first award of the evening was a suitable fit, awarding Glasgow’s Sixth Wonder with the Best Metal title – their second time collecting the award since they won back in 2023 too. From the heaviest award to quite literally the softest, was the prize for Best Acoustic, awarded to borders based singer-songwriter Miwa Nagato-Apthorp. Beating the likes BBC Introducing Artist of the Year and Mercury Prize nominee Jacob Alon, the dual national Japanese/Scottish performer’s delicate sounds were a fitting winner for the award and we can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for Miwa.
The next live performance of the evening was more stripped back than the first, but it was in no way any less fervent. Sibling duo Comfort – Natalie and Sean McGhee – were teeming with energy from the word go. Natalie filled every inch of the stage the floor and even the balcony as she strutted and bounced on every beat. While ‘genre-defying’ can sometimes feel like a cliché, it is the only way to describe the fresh, unique sound of Comfort. Fusing electronic beats and industrial soundscapes with chaotic energy, they deliver powerful lyrics centered on social issues, queer identity and acceptance. A standout performance!
Time for more awards and next we learn the winners of Best Electronic and Best Hip-Hop. Taking the crown of Best Electronic was Edinburgh’s Proc Fiskal who was a little lost for words on accepting his prize. On being prompted of his future plans, the producer had little to say to the room. Best Hip-Hop was awarded to rapper Loki, the moniker of social commentator and best selling author, Darren McGarvey, who jokingly announced that he is retiring from the music game after being awarded the prize tonight.
I might be a bit bias here, but the Best Newcomer is always going to be a tough category to navigate, with emerging talent across Scotland being some of the best there is anywhere in the world. However, the winners, Mercy Girl, were undeniably the strongest contender. The Glasgow group appeared genuinely shocked and humbled by their win, only endearing the band further. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing and BBC 6 Music, it’s inevitable to see that Mercy Girl have a very strong future ahead of them.
The final live music showcase of the evening was by far one of the best sets I have personally seen all year – Scottish Album of the Year Award 2025 winners, Kai Reesu. With a lineup stretching from the Scottish towns of Paisley, Thurso, and Glasgow to the streets of Los Angeles, Kai Reesu is a trans-Atlantic melting pot of sound. Blending jazz, hip-hop, and psychedelia, they are an insanely captivating live act. Their energy and attitude combined with sleek beats and smoky sax embouchure bounced across the room, leaving everybody under their sensual spell. Led by the emceeing flow from rapper Jurnalist, his delivery is passionate, heartfelt and real. Kai Reesu reflect what this night was all about – the excitement and the diversity of what’s happening in Scotland’s alternative scene right now.
When Kai Ressu’s set concluded, the crowd felt a sudden, jarring return to earth. But the moment of downtime didn’t last; Cheape swiftly returned to the podium to announce the two biggest awards of the night: Best Live Act and Best Rock/Alternative. Again, both fiercely strong categories which really could have went any way, but were awarded to the best possible candidates.
First, there was waves of pure ecstasy as Waverley were announced as Best Live Act of the year, with the band elated of their success. Bringing elements of folk and indie pop to the stage, the Edinburgh five-piece have been performing across Scotland over the past few years, rapidly growing in popularity with BBC 6 Music amongst new fans following the release of latest EP Flail earlier this year. You can find out why the band carry the prestigious Best Live Act crown by checking them out yourself when they next perform. You can catch them alongside Swim School in Edinburgh on 29th December, or as part of Independent Venue Week at London’s Cavendish Arms on 29th January.
The biggest award of the night though comes last, with Best Rock/Alternative being awarded to Glasgow’s Martha May and The Mondays. A very deserving win which acknowledges just how far this band have come over the past couple of years, the group are one of the most dynamic punk bands to come out of the city for years. Surprisingly rooted in folk music, the band’s ability to merge violin into punk rock is a refreshing image. Led by the sensational Martha, the singer was overcome with emotion as the band accepted their award – not only acknowledging just how much this means for them moving forward, but as a queer woman:
“Things can change and our voices do belong here. To every woman, to every queer artist out there who is trying to break through, you should just keep going. There is so much room for us here and we’re not going away – for us it is only the beginning”.
And with that emotional acceptance speech, Martha May and The Mondays sum up just what the Scottish Alternative Music Awards are all about – inclusion, diversity and heart.
