SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS RAISE OVER £200K FOR MUSIC THERAPY CHARITY
On Saturday night, Glasgow’s industry party of the year celebrated the winners of this year’s GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards at the city’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom. Featuring showstopping live performances from Amy Macdonald, James Emmanuel, Kevin Maguire, Shay O’Dowd, Hue and Cry and Nathan Evans & The Saint PHNX Band, the event raised an incredible £206,000 for music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins.
Presenting the night was Scottish TV & radio icon Edith Bowman who shares
“It’s a no-brainer for me to come and be a part of this tonight, it’s (Nordoff and Robbins) a charity that’s really close to my heart. I love supporting this charity, it does incredible work. And it’s really brilliant that we have someone here tonight to explain and talk about how this helps the charity and the extraordinary work they do. Any opportunity to celebrate what’s coming out of Scotland, that’s one of the things that’s so special about the night I’ve discovered so many artists being a part of this event. So for me it’s a chance to see new talent live at the barras but also to celebrate that talent that deserves to be celebrated.”
It was down to aspiring Scottish Country Music artist Kevin McGuire to open the night’s celebrations. Following his own headline tour, a sold-out run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and even supporting Marti Pellow at Edinburgh Castle, the Glasgow singer has been compared as Scotland’s “home-grown Yellowstone”. Bringing his charming persona and stylish Western aesthetic – complete with cowboy hat and boots – alongside his Americana-Pop signature sound, McGuire is one to watch. On being invited to open the ceremony, McGuire told us:
“It’s an honor for me to open and it’s a little bit daunting, but I’m really excited and I’ve worked hard for it. It’s a wonderful charity, never mind the awards so it’s really special to be here.”
I believe that music is one of the most important things in the world, particularly now where so many people are divided by things, doing their best to break up the world. I think that music is one thing that unites us and everybody should have access to it. Generations, over decades before us, if you had a disability, if you were autistic then you didn’t have the access because people didn’t have the funds and there were too many barriers”.
Kevin McGuire will next perform a headline show at Celtic Connections at The Garage on 17 January 2026.
The first honor of the evening went to national treasure Amy McDonald, who received the Best Album Award sponsored by Sir Reo Stakis Foundation for her latest album Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For? which came 15 years since her last win for the same prize for her sophomore offering A Curious Thing in 2010. After receiving her prize in person, Amy took the stage to delight tonight’s guests with a short performance of her greatest hits.
Next, the Music Industry Award sponsored by Eventos was awarded to Regular Music veteran Moira McKenzie who humbly accepted her massively deserved accolade from Scottish music journalist Billy Sloan. Honoring her 53 years of work in the music industry which began in the box office of Edinburgh’s Patrick Thompson department store, Moira has been part of the back bone of Scotland’s live scene since, including establishing Kelvingrove Bandstand’s Summer Nights series which celebrated its 10th run earlier this year.
Accepting the Spotlight Award sponsored by Barrowland Ballroom was Edinburgh’s James Emmanuel. The Nigerian born soul star released his debut EP ‘Time To Heal’ just last month, but has been cutting his teeth on the busy streets of our capital for years. On what makes Scotland so special for James, he told Northern Exposure:
“I make music for everyday people, and that’s what Edinburgh is. When they like something they will make an effort to let you know. When I was busking on the street and a woman rolling a pram would come over, throwing in a pound and telling me she love’s that song. Or at the open mics where people keep coming back because they know you’re playing – it meant so much.
I remember putting on my first show at a place called the Hype Club and wondering how am I going to sell the tickets? But I’m out on the streets busking and handing out flyers and we sold out the venue. That’s the amazing support of Scotland. That is Scotland.”
His performance was an easy stand out of the evening and it becomes crystal clear why the awards have honored James tonight.
The most touching moment of the evening came from the winner of the Special Recognition Award sponsored by P&J Live, Keith McIvor – better known as DJ Twitch – who tragically passed away in September, following a brain tumour diagnosis earlier in the year. McIvor’s Optimo DJ partner Jonnie Wilkes – also know as JG Wilkes – appeared via recorded message to pay tribute to his musical counterpart of 28 years. The award was then accepted by McIvor’s wife Marissa Costello, who was visably moved by the tributes and shared celebration of her late husband tonight.
Scotland’s notorious club scene saw more than one mention on the night with dynamic electronic duo Ilyus and Barrientos making an appearance to claim the Producer Award sponsored by Favella, and DJ extraordinaire KILIMANJARO accepting the prize for Ballantine’s Sub Club Electronic Music Award via video link.
Later in the evening, Shay O’Dowd – winner of the Breakthrough Award sponsored by Go Radio – made his Barrowland Ballroom stage debut with another standout performance of the night. The emerging artist has just had his biggest year yet; from selling out King Tuts and now winning such a prestigious award at this early stage of his promising career path. Telling Northern Exposure that 2026 is set to be even bigger, Shay told us:
“Lots of new music, lots of live shows. I’m writing and recording with Jamie Squire of The 1975 at the moment as I’m doing my next EP with him”.
Traditional Scottish musicians Skipinnish accepted the Sound of Scotland Award sponsored by Royal Highland Centre, with original line up members Angus McPhail and Andrew Stevenson telling Northern Exposure:
“It’s an incredible, lovely feeling to be recognised that way from an organisation such as Nordoff & Robbins. It’s been a long 26 years since we started and it’s a lovely way to finish off a good year.”
Having recently performed a huge show at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, 2025 has been a monumental one for the whole Skipinnish family. Meanwhile, another band to have played a career defining show at Glasgow OVO Hydro recently, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band scooped the Artist of the Year Award sponsored by ROX – Diamonds and Thrills. The group then went on to perform on the Barrowland Ballroom stage, raising most of the room on their feet.
Marking 40 years of SEC (Scottish Event Campus) the popular Glasgow venue honored founder and director of Regular Music Mark Mackie or his outstanding contribution to Scotland’s live music scene. Receiving the SEC40 Promoter Award sponsored by Scottish Event Campus, Mark was one of the SEC’s very first promoters who has worked with the venue since 1985.
Other awards on the night honoured household names with Richard Ashcroft being presented the Icon Award sponsored by GUITARGUITAR and Lewis Capaldi being presented Best Live Act Award sponsored by Ticketmaster. Accepting their awards via video message, both artists will make an appearance in the city when they headline Scotland’s biggest music festival TRNSMT next summer. Receiving the coveted King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Songwriting Award was Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil, who recently shot to No.1 in the Official UK Album Charts with their tenth studio album Futique in September. The iconic Scottish band will play Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and Aberdeen’s P&J Live in January.
Bringing the evening to close were winners of this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Raymond Weil, Hue and Cry. The legendary brother duo brought the night to a close with a floor filling performance which included the unforgettable hit single ‘Labour of Love’.
A night like no other for the Scotland’s Music Industry, the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards was all about celebrating the unique work of Nordoff and Robbins, with the staggering £206,000 in donations and raffles throughout the night being a prime example of a Scotland who just loves to keep giving.
