YOUNG FATHERS CROWNED SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

THE GROUP MADE HISTORY AS THEY CLAIMED THEIR THIRD SAY AWARD FOR ‘HEAVY HEAVY’

From over 400 eligible album entries down to the 10 strong shortlist, Edinburgh based trio Young Father’s made history last night as they claimed their third Scottish Album of The Year Award with their fourth album Heavy Heavy.

Set in the heart of Scotland’s Central Belt, the ceremony hosted by Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan took place last night in Stirling Albert Halls. As well as the main prize, Paolo Nutini was awarded Modern Scottish Classic Album for his 2006 debut These Streets and Edinburgh duo No Windows claimed the Sound of Young Scotland Award. With live performances coming from last year’s winner Fergus McCreadie, Glasgow’s Dead Pony followed by tributes to Paolo Nutini from fellow SAY Award nominees Brownbear and Becky Sikasa, the ceremony kept its audience on their toes all evening.

Opening the 2023 ceremony was last year’s winner Fergus McCreadie with an outstanding live performance with his band. The highly acclaimed jazz pianist’s album Forest Floor beat the likes of Kathryn Joseph and 2023 shortlisted Hamish Hawk. Later on, Glasgow rock band Dead Pony performed something a little louder with a trio of tracks from their own forthcoming debut album due out next year. Nominated for the Sound of Young Scotland Award last year, Dead Pony were selected to showcase by the PRS Foundation who celebrate 10 years of the PPL Momentum Music Fund.

MODERN SCOTTISH CLASSIC ALBUM

The first award of the evening was the Modern Scottish Classic Album which was awarded to Paolo Nutini for his 2006 debut album These Streets. The award which honours an outstanding album from Scotland’s past, was received on behalf of Paolo by his manager and his sister who shared his humble message of thanks.

It was nice to hear that Last Night In The Bittersweet was being recognised and that means a lot. Hearing the news about These Streets was a surprise to say the least. Mental news that I never expected for a minute! All I can say is thank you so much to those who the music means something and for listening to the songs. It’s nice to be mentioned in the same breath as these people who I have a lot of respect for.
Paolo Nutini

The album was celebrated by an exclusive performance by Brownbear (longlist nominee 2023) and Becky Sikasa (shortlist nominee 2023) who both performed their own renditions of classic Paolo Nutini songs such as New Shoes and Last Request.

SOUND OF YOUNG SCOTLAND

The Sound of Young Scotland prize was claimed by Edinburgh based teen duo No Windows. The pair, who’s music has been described as genre defining, were visibility shocked by their win.

‘Hiya’ says a shell shocked Morgan Morris. He continues ‘if you couldn’t tell, we didn’t write anything. It’s such an honour to just be here, we were happy just for the day out…I think Scotland right now is such an exciting time for new music and it feels like a complete honour to be a part of that.
Morgan Morris – No Windows

No Windows will now receive a bespoke funding package worth £8000 to record their debut album.

SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Having won the SAY Award back in 2014 for Tape 2 and then again for Cocoa Sugar in 2018, Young Father’s have went on to beat their own record to claim the prize for the third time this year. Currently on a sold out UK Tour, one third of the record breaking trio Alloysious Massaquoi made a welcome appearance to accept their award.

‘It’s a bit radge‘ says Alloysious in response to accepting the award for the third time. Their fourth album Heavy Heavy comes 5 years since their last which Alloysious shares was a difficult place to get back to.

We’ve been touring since the start of the year, personally I feel like I’ve had to try and find it again because I have a bit of a love hate relationship with music. A lot of my inspirations aren’t musical and I was starting to feel a bit down about stuff happening in the world and what not throughout lockdown. The guys and I decided to come back together, reform and try to bring that excitement back.
Alloysious Massaquoi

The Shortlist 2023 – Cloth, Becky Sikasa, Andrew Wasylyk, Brigdhe Chaimbeul, Young Fathers, Joesef and Bemz (absent Brooke Combe, Hamish Hawk & Paolo Nutini)

The ceremony celebrates all 10 shortlist nominees but it’s Young Fathers who walk away with the £20,000 prize. The 9 other shortlisted artists will still received a £1000 runners up prize and bespoke design statue curated by this year’s Design Commission winner Brutal Concrete Workshop. Paolo Nutini even managed to bag a second claim of the night with his latest effort Last Night In The Bittersweet which is revealed to be the winner of the public vote last month.

Alloysious Massaquoi (Young Fathers) © SAY AWARDS

Closing with a high energy DJ set from TAAHLIAH, the evening comes to an end and the only thing to do now is to start counting the days until next year’s event.