For its 24th edition, the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards – the flagship annual fundraiser of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity – united the country’s music community in celebration of stars past, present and future. The glittering ceremony saw exclusive live performances from award-winners Rod Stewart, Altered Images, The View, Peat & Diesel, Tamzene, Dylan John Thomas and Rianne Downey, while local legends Lewis Capaldi, Paolo Nutini and Gerry Cinnamon, amongst others, also took away top prizes.
* Peat and Diesel (above) received the Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award :: photo by Jamie Stone
In alphabetical order, the full list of winners for the 2022 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards are:
Clare Grogan (Altered Images) – Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Living Legend Award
Craig Logan – Go Radio Music Industry Award
Dylan John Thomas – Dean Banks & Mond Vodka Breakthrough Artist Award
Ewan McVicar – Ballantine’s / Sub Club Electronic Music Award
Gerry Cinnamon – King Tut’s Songwriting Award
Gun – Hard Rock Cafe Rock Legend Award
Lewis Capaldi – Raymond Weil Global Artist of the Year Award
Paolo Nutini – Guitar Guitar’s Best Album Award AND Ticketmaster’s Best Live Act Award
Peat & Diesel – Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award
Rianne Downey – Tennent’s Light Breakthrough Award
Rod Stewart – Specsavers Outstanding Achievement in Music Award
Tamzene – VEGA Rising Star Award
The View – Rox ‘Diamonds & Thrills’ Special Recognition Award
Wet Leg – SWG3’s Best UK Artist Award
For a second year, the event was held at Barrowlands Ballroom and also included British Sign Language performance with speeches and acts performed in BSL interpretations.
The event saw over £170,000 raised for Nordoff Robbins through donations at the event as well as through live auctions, to allow the charity to provide their services to those who need it most. Guided by belief in the value of music to all people in our society, the funds raised from the event allows Nordoff Robbins to train music therapists of the future, deliver life-changing music sessions and undertake ground-breaking research into the impact of music therapy.
Award winning presenter and broadcaster, and long-time supporter of Nordoff Robbins, Edith Bowman returned once again to host the event.
Edith commented – “I am genuinely delighted to be back, and I never take for granted being asked to do this – whenever I do its ‘yes please’. We are back at the Barrowlands and I’m so pleased to have you all join us to celebrate the wealth and depth of talent in Scotland. Behind all the glitz and glamour is a purpose, and for tonight more so than ever, raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins Music therapy.”
She was joined on the red carpet by Scottish stars across a wide range of genres encapsulating the country’s diverse musical landscape. Tamzene kicked off the show with an incredible performance after picking up VEGA’s Rising Star Award – tribute to her journey from being discovered busking on the streets of Inverness, to now having graced some of the country’s biggest and best stages from TRNSMT Festival to the legendary King Tuts. Next, music legend Sir Rod Stewart was honoured with the Specsavers Outstanding Achievement Award , before performing a rendition of ‘Maggie May’ with John McLaughlin which was a roaring sing-along success with Scotland’s music community.
On collecting his award, Rod said “I’ve received many awards before, but none from the land of my beloved father, so this is very special to me. I’d love to think that despite my English accent that I’m one of yous”
Glasgow rockers Gun won Hard Rock Cafe’s Rock Legend Award, which they accepted remotely from Hard Rock Cafe in Lisbon amongst a string of live gigs around Europe. Next, ‘Tell Me Something Good’ superstar Ewan McVicar took the Ballantine’s & Sub Club Electronic Music Award.
Ewan McVicar said: “I’ve been all around the world to clubs and festivals but there’s not one f*cking place like the Sub Club in Glasgow”
Dylan John Thomas scooped Dean Banks & Mond Vodka Breakthrough Artist Award following his incredible year, not only selling out Barrowlands but also making his Glastonbury debut. In his acceptance speech before his crowd-pleasing performance, he paid tribute to music legend Alan Smith saying “I’d like to dedicate this award to Alan who sadly passed last week. He was always the glue for the artists. Alan was always there and I’ll miss him”
Dundee band The View also captivated the crowds, teasing their highly anticipated comeback, kicking off the set telling the crowd “Get aff yer seats everybody” before bagging the Rox ‘Diamonds & Thrills’ Special Recognition Award.
Social media sensation Rianne Downey was the worthy winner of Tennent’s Light Breakthrough Award following latest release ‘Devil’s Gonna Get You’ which she stunned Scottish Music Awards’ crowds with, even getting a standing ovation from Sir Rod Stewart.
Rianne Downey said “I’m so honoured. I’d like to thank everyone that support me through my journey but it’s coming fast. You’re all making this wee Bellshill lassies dream come true”
This came as Paolo Nutini, who is back with a bang following a four-year hiatus, was celebrated winning the Guitar Guitar’s Best Album Award and Ticketmaster’s Best Live Act Award ahead of five upcoming shows at the OVO Hydro later this year.
In his acceptance video he said “I’d like to thank Nordoff Robbins for giving me this award and for all the great work they’ve done. Also, a special thanks to DF Concerts for putting on the shows and giving me a platform. Have fun and see you soon”
Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg accepted the SWG3’s Best UK Artist Award virtually, recognising their outstanding self-titled debut album, with the pair saying they are proud to support the work of Nordoff Robbins, before Stornoway sensations Peat & Diesel got the party started picking up the Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award.
Gerry Cinnamon, famed for his sing-along choruses, won King Tut’s Songwriting Award, with renowned artist Ross Muir accepting on this behalf. Ross said “Gerry’s songs mean the f*cking world to me man. Gerry is sorry he couldn’t be here tonight but he’s sure yous are all having fun”
Peat & Diesel said “We don’t often get these opportunities. We just wanna say a big thank you to all the guys who have supported us. Big thanks to Robbin Higgs…for pushing us and believing in us”
Bros’ bassist turned record label boss Craig Logan was recognised by the Go Radio Music Industry Award, with pop sensations Alife Boe and Pixie Lott featuring in his winners video, followed by deserving winner Lewis Capaldi who took home the Raymond Weil Global Artist of the Year Award after his comeback track ‘Forget Me’ catapulted to number one, firmly cementing the Scottish star on the international music scene. Lewis accepted his prize through a pre-recorded message, and in classic Capaldi style thanked Nordoff Robbins and the Scottish Music Awards for his award, saying:
“It genuinely means a lot to me. The Scottish Music Awards has been such a big part of my journey. It is such an incredible thing to be a part of, and all the money being raised for Nordoff Robbins is incredible”
The final award of the evening went to Altered Images’ Clare Grogan who received the prestigious Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Living Legend Award, as she rounded off the night with an incredible performance from ‘Mascara Streakz’ – her first album in more than 38 years.
Claire said “Oh my god! what a moment to have in Scotland in Glasgow my hometown!This award should be called the award for the girl that wouldn’t give up.I wouldn’t be here without my mum and dad who are sadly not here but they have me this.. the gift of being myself! I love being Scottish I love Nordoff Robbins!
Specsavers founder, Mary Perkins, said: “It is a great honour to sponsor the Scottish Music Awards once again and of course the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award.
“Not only do we get to celebrate the best of Scotland’s homegrown talent but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Nordoff Robbins – a very worthy charity which helps provide vital support through music therapy.
“I would like to congratulate Rod Stewart on his prestigious accolade on the evening – he truly deserves the high-profile acknowledgement.”
Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff Robbins, said: “What a fantastic night at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. We are humbled by the Scottish music industry’s ongoing support of Nordoff Robbins and grateful to all the winners and performers that joined us at the Barrowlands this year. The funds raised through the SMAs will go directly towards our mission to continue sharing the power of music as far and wide as possible, helping people to connect and communicate through music therapy.”
In his welcome speech, Donald C MacLeod, Scottish Fundraising Chairman for Nordoff Robbins said “
The Scottish music awards is Scotland’s premier music awards ceremony… a glittering event which for 24 years – celebrating deserving industry figures, musicians, songwriters and artists who contribute to a nations rich and musical heritage.
We all know that music can break barriers and create a space for people to express themselves and connect – something I’m sure you will all be doing tonight.
Over the past 10 months Nordoff Robbins, which is non-government funded has used the money it receives by way of donations to fund over 37,000 therapy sessions which around 12,500 are in Scotland across 330 partnerships helping them to express themselves and connect vital work that takes place in children’s hospices, dementia care homes, mental health hospitals and SEN schools.
And as the need for life changing services grow, so does the need for yet more funding… please tonight .. dig deep.. donate what you can, always remember, every note counts!”
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