Public voting for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards begins today and runs until Sunday, November 10th. The winners will be announced at the annual award ceremony, which will be held at Inverness Leisure this year on Saturday, November 30th, when the event returns to the Highland capital for the first time in 10 years.
KLOF Mag has featured several nominees, including Ryan Young, Project Smok, Laura Jane Wilkie, and Malin Lewis in the Album of the Year category. Our album reviews are linked below, alongside others we’ve also covered further down the list.
Scots Trad Music Awards 2024 Nominees are:
Album of the Year, sponsored by Birnam CD
- Headstrong by HEISK
- Just a Second by Ryan Young
- The Waiting Room by Eamonn Nugent
- A Breaking Sky by Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach
- The Outset by Project Smok
- Vent by Laura Jane Wilkie
- Halocline by Malin Lewis
- The Magic Roundabout by Session A9
- ReLoved by Capercaillie
- The Homeroad by Ross Couper Band
Among those album nominations, Malin Lewis was KLOF Mag’s Artist of the Month in May 2024 with Halocline (Review/Interview) and Laura Jane Wilkie‘s Vent was a KLOF Mag Featured Album of the Month in July (Review).
John Whalley also reviewed Ryan Young‘s excellent ‘Just a Second‘ here and Project Smok‘s ‘The Outset‘ here.
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland
- Beth Malcolm
- Siobhan Miller
- Josie Duncan
- Seàn Gray
Club of the Year
- Glee Club at Celtic Connections
- Ayr Phoenix Folk Club
- Ardersier International Folk Club
- The World’s Room
Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
- Scottish Polish Song Society – Aberdeen University
- People’s Parish
- Fèis air an Oir
- Falkirk Fiddle Workshop
Composer of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music
- James Ross
- Gillian Fleetwood
- Alec Dalglish
- Mairead Green and Mike Vass (A.D.A.M)
- Jack Badcock
- Ali Hutton & Laura Beth (From the Ground)
Event of the Year, sponsored by VisitScotland
- Carrying Stream Festival
- Skipinnish at Edinburgh Castle
- Cuirm Nam Bonn òir le Ruairidh Gray
- Jura Music Festival
- Ceòl Cholasa
- Fèis na Mara
Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by Highland Society of London
- Ainslie Hamill
- Ceitlin Lilidh
- Emma MacLeod
- Kathleen MacInnes
- Katie Macfarlane
Live Act of the Year
- Kinnaris Quintet
- An Dannsa Dub
- Mec Lir
- Niteworks
- Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey
- RuMac
Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative
- Margaret Houlihan
- Douglas Montgomery
- Carly Blain
- Daniel Thorpe
Musician of the Year, sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands
- Ciorstaidh Beaton
- Anna Massie
- Tom Callister
- Adam Holmes
- Alasdair Iain Paterson
- Patsy Reid
Original Work of the Year, sponsored Musicians’ Union
- Ar Cànan ‘s ar Ceòl by Trail West
- Centennial March (Glen Burnie Lodge) by Louise Bichan
- Alice Allen’s New Voices ‘Bass Culture’
- The Dedication Jigs by Ross Miller
- Tom Campbell Trio EP
Scottish Dance Band of the Year, sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
- Graeme MacKay
- Jackie Raeburn
- Calum Nicolson
- Michael Philip
Scottish Folk Band of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound
- Cala
- Fras
- Haltadans
- The Paul McKenna Band
- RANT
- DLÙ
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year, sponsored by National Piping Centre
- Skye Youth Pipe Band
- Dunoon Grammar Pipe Band
- George Watson’s Pipe Band
- Dornoch Pipe Band
Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University
- Friday Night Trad – Radio Skye with Robert MacInnes
- Karine Polwart’s Monthly Newsletter
- Piping Sounds with Michael Steele and Ewen Henderson
- Kim Carnie Out Loud
- Jared Rowan (Social Media)
Up and Coming Artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Tarran
- Amy Laurenson
- Falasgair
- Teud
- Gillie O’Flaherty
- Lauren Collier Band
Venue of the Year
- Catstrand Arts
- Eden Court
- Kings Place, London
- The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
- Croy Live
As well as all category sponsors and the event’s headline sponsor, this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, the ceremony’s return to the Highlands is made possible with funding and support from Creative Scotland, Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Scottish Government.
Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “Scotland’s traditional music scene is bursting at the seams with exceptional talent and it’s incredibly important we take time to recognise the achievements and progress over the last year. From some of the most exciting young new bands, to legends of the industry we will be tipping our hats to the best of the best in Inverness this November. Voting is now open and it’s over to the public to decide who they would like to see honoured on the night. We’re proud that this event has become synonymous with excellence in Scottish music and incredibly grateful to all those who make its staging possible.”
Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: ““Congratulations to all the nominees. Now public voting is open, it’s a fantastic chance for people to celebrate and honour all their favourite artists, recordings, organisations, projects and contributors to this vibrant sector. The list of nominees reflects the vast array of talent across the genre and all the people who contribute towards sustaining traditions and creating innovative work.”
Margaret Cameron, Director of Content at MG ALBA, said: “Now in its 22nd year, it’s incredible to see how the event continues to flourish, showcasing the very best of Scots Trad music. This year’s nominations of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards once again highlight the remarkable talent within the scene, reflecting the vibrancy and depth of Scotland’s musical heritage. We’re thrilled to bring the awards to the fantastic Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, and MG ALBA is proud to support the event and broadcast the celebration live on BBC ALBA, ensuring audiences across the country can join the party.”
An outstanding lineup of talent is set to take to the stage over the course of the evening, including the Hebridean-born and Highland-based singer and musician Julie Fowlis, whose award-winning talent is recognised the world over; Skipinnish who round off their 25th anniversary year in a fitting fashion’ BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2024 Calum McIlroy; party-starters An Dannsa Dub; the inimitable duo of Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr; Aberdeenshire folk star Ellie Beaton; and young local talent in the form of Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers.
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, Saturday 30th November 2024. The awards will be broadcast on BBC ALBA from 9pm.
Voting opens today and closes on Sunday 10th November. Votes can be cast at www.scotstradmusicawards.com. Tickets for the event are on sale now at https://tickets.highlifehighland.com/events/highlifehighland/1374627.