The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, which serve to highlight Scotland’s traditional music opens the doors for public votes today (voting closes on 20th November).
The Album of the Year category changed this year resulting in a greater public choice, so there are ten albums to chose from instead of four. Despite the wider choice, and although some of the bands do have female members, it is noticeably male-dominated which is a real shame considering the wealth of female talent and that the split last year was 50/50 (over four albums). Other categories are more evenly balanced including Composer, Gaelic Singer, Instrumentalist and Folk Band of the year categories. Below you can find the shortlist for each along with a preview track for many.
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2015 – Shortlist
Album of the Year Nominations
In the Wake of Neil Gunn by Mike Vass
Flight of Time by Siobhan Miller
Blackhouse by Peatbog Faeries
Despite The Dark by RURA
North by Blazin’ Fiddles
When the Day is on the Turn by Dallahan
The Bell That Never Rang by Lau
Grind by Treacherous Orchestra
The Untied Knot by Shooglenifty
Upsurge by Scott Wood Band
Club of the Year – Sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
Haddington Box and Fiddle Club
Irvine Folk Club
Strathaven Folk Club
Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club
Composer of the Year – Sponsored by PRS for Music
Marie Fielding
Peter Morrison
Rachel Walker
Ross Ainslie
Sarah Hayes
Sorren Maclean
Community Project of the Year – Sponsored by the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust
MacMath – The Silent Page
Live Music Now Scotland
Blackford Fiddle group
The Small Hall Band
Event of the Year – Sponsored by VisitScotland
Grit opening concert, Celtic Connections
Kirriemuir Festival
Skerryvore: Decade
Speyfest
Gaelic Singer of the Year – Sponsored by Macmeanmna Records
Alyth McCormack
Ainsley Hamill
Fiona J MacKenzie
Griogair Labhruidh
Instrumentalist of the Year – Sponsored by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Ali Hutton
Mairi Campbell
Ross Couper
Tomas Callister
Tom Orr
Live Act of the Year – Sponsored by Greentrax Recordings
Rura
Nae Plans
Treacherous Orchestra
Skipinnish
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year – Sponsored by the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland
Claire Hastings
Fiona Hunter
Robyn Stapleton
Amy Lord
Dance Band of the Year – Sponsored by the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
Simon Howie
Iain Cathcart
The Full Scottish
Alan Crookston
Folk Band of the Year – Sponsored by Threads of Sound
Dallahan
Daimh
Kate in the Kettle
Bella Hardy
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre
Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band
Johnstone Pipe Band
Trad Music in the Media – Sponsored by Skipinnish
Box and Fiddle Magazine
Lorne MacDougall’s PlanetPipe
Brian Miller – Diamond Folk
Port, BBC ALBA
Music Tutor of the Year – Sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative
Amy Geddes
Barbara Anderson (Huntly)
Jenn Butterworth
John Somerville
Gillian Fleetwood
Ian Lowthian
Up and Coming Artist of the Year – Sponsored by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Andrew Waite
Fara
Gráinne Brady & Tina Jordan Rees
Innovation
The League of Highland Gentlemen
Talisk
Venue of the Year – Sponsored by the Musicians’ Union
Storytelling Centre
Glassel hall, Banchory
Lyth Arts Centre
SEALL at Sabhal Mor Ostaig
Finals Event and Tickets
The winners will be announced at the event on Saturday 5th December, at the Caird Hall Dundee. Tickets are available from 01382 434 940 or www.dundeebox.co.uk
Bands performing on the night include
Peatbog Faeries
Duncan Chisholm
Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain and Violet Tulloch
Claire Hastings – BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2015
Dosca
Tom Orr Scottish Dance Band
Murray Henderson and the Big Music Society
Cathy Anne MacPhee
Catriona McKay