The longlist for the most coveted music prize in Scotland has been unveiled, kicking off a process that will culminate in a winning album picking up a £20,000 first prize while nine shortlisted titles receive £1,000 each, making the award ceremony at Paisley Town Hall on Wednesday 29 June one of the most lucrative in UK music. The longlist features a wealth of talent including a host of internationally renowned Scottish bands and exceptional ‘artists to watch’ across all genres including hip-hop, classical, rock, electronic, indie, electro-pop and trad/folk.
Primal Scream, FFS, CHVRCHES, Emma Pollock and Steve Mason feature alongside Isle of Lewis born trad musician Iain Morrison, Edinburgh-raised composer Anna Meredith, Celtic piper Jarlath Henderson and award-winning baroque ensemble Dunedin Consort in an extremely strong lineup which also features previous winners Young Fathers and a first time nod to Mercury Music Prize 2015 nominee C Duncan. Run by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), previous SAY winners are Kathryn Joseph (2015), Young Fathers (2014), RM Hubbert (2013) and Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012).
The full SAY Award 2016 longlist is as follows (in alphabetical order):
Admiral Fallow – Tiny Rewards
Anna Meredith – Varmints
Auntie Flo – Theory of Flo
C Duncan – Architect
CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
Django Django – Born Under Saturn
Dunedin Consort – J.S. Bach: Magnificat & Christmas Cantata
Emma Pollock – In Search of Harperfield
FFS – FFS
Hector Bizerk – The Waltz of Modern Psychiatry
Hudson Mohawke – Lantern
Iain Morrison – Eas
Jarlath Henderson – Hearts Broken, Heads Turned
Lau – The Bell That Never Rang
Steve Mason – Meet The Humans
Miaoux Miaoux – School of Velocity
Primal Scream – Chaosmosis
Rachel Sermanni – Tied To The Moon
The Revenge – Love That Will Not Die
Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too
Timetable
Monday 16 May – Sunday 12 June: Longlist streamed daily on the SAY Award website
Monday 13 – Wednesday 15 June: Music fans get their say in the 72-hour public vote
Thursday 16 June: The BBC Quay Sessions announces the SAY Award shortlist
Wednesday 29 June: SAY Award winner announced at Paisley Town Hall ceremony