Scotland’s biggest music stars will celebrate St. Andrew’s Day in style with virtual event on 28th November raising urgent funds for Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity

#SCOTTISHMUSICAWARDS

Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity have today announced that the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards will return in 2020 as a virtual event for the first time ever, raising vital funds for the music therapy charity and celebrating the biggest and best names in Scottish music, in a year like no other. One of the most important nights in Scotland’s music calendar, the awards will be hosted live by Edith Bowman from SWG3 in Glasgow’s West End with the first nominees and performers announced today as; Amy Macdonald, kitti and Luke La Volpe with many more to be announced.

For the past 21 years, the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards have honoured some of the country’s biggest international stars from Annie Lennox to Susan Boyle, whilst celebrating Scotland’s best up and coming talent including breakthrough awards for the likes of Be Charlotte, Tom Walker and Lewis Capaldi, all to raise funds for the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity. Like many other charities, Nordoff Robbins have been severely impacted by Covid-19. As well as the O2 Silver Clef Awards, most of their fundraising events and activities have had to be cancelled or postponed this year – meaning they are currently expected to lose around 75% of fundraising income in 2020, contributing to an anticipated shortfall in revenue of £6million, all whilst still trying to provide music therapy to the people who need it most.

Featuring brand new performances filmed socially distanced and in line with Scottish Government regulations at Glasgow’s popular music venue SWG3, as well as exclusive footage from previous sets, 2020’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards look set to be a little different but just as memorable. Broadcasting online on Saturday 28th November, the awards are the perfect opportunity to celebrate St.Andrew’s Day on one star-studded unmissable night, bringing together all-star Scottish talent for an extremely important cause that is valued by many across the country.

This year’s first nominees and performers include:

Best Breakthrough Award sponsored by Coors Light - Luke La Volpe (Male) and kitti (Female)

Women in Music Award sponsored by Rox - Amy Macdonald

Returning to host the country’s biggest music awards for the second year running is broadcaster Edith Bowman, the perfect host for a St.Andrew’s Day celebration of all things Scottish music.  

Amy Macdonald said, “The Scottish Music Awards have been incredibly supportive since they gave me  the Breakthrough Award in 2007, which was such a huge boost when I was just starting out. In such a difficult year for everyone, to be nominated for the Women In Music Award 13 years later feels like another very special landmark. I’m looking forward to being part of the online show on 28^th November and I hope we can raise plenty of money for the vital and life-changing work of Nordoff Robbins, which is needed now more than ever.”

Kitti said, “I am beyond flattered to be nominated for this award! I can’t believe after almost 10 years of ups downs, name changes and hard work - I’m finally on the road to somewhere I’ve always wanted to be! I feel proud no matter what the outcome is and I’ve got a fire in my belly to keep on pursuing my dreams!”

Luke La Volpe said, "It’s some buzz to be nominated for the Breakthrough Award, especially in such a tough year for everyone in the music industry. It’s my dream to follow in the footsteps of all the amazing Scots who've won it before so I’ve tried to stay busy and keep pushing forward despite all the difficulties we’ve had. It’s not been easy for any of us and I want to say a huge thanks to the fans who've stuck with me and the artists and everyone behind the scenes who are working so hard to make sure we can all come back strong in 2021.”

One of Scotland’s most popular exports, Amy Macdonald has achieved both national and international stardom, performing world tours in front of 3.3 million people, receiving over 200 million Spotify streams and achieving four Top 5 albums, including her #1 debut album. Known for huge hits like ‘Mr Rock & Roll’ and ‘This is the Life’, which topped the charts in ten countries, Amy has firmly established herself as one of Scotland's most successful female artists. With her highly anticipated fifth album due at the end of October, Amy’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards performance is set to be unmissable.

Glaswegian singer and songwriter kitti, often compared to musical icons like Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu and Alicia Keys, is quickly establishing herself as one to watch. Possessing a voice so special and unhindered by fashion, genre, time or place, kitti is tipped to be on her way to success with the likes of the BBC placing the gifted singer on their Hot List for 2020. With her soaring vocals and unique lyrics, kitti's performance at this year's Specsavers Scottish Music Awards is sure to be a highlight of the virtual ceremony.

Following in the footsteps of previous Scottish Music Award winners Lewis Capaldi and Tom Walker, Luke La Volpe is on the road to stardom. The 24-year-old Bathgate singer, despite everything, is having a very exciting 2020, with the Scottish Number 1 single ‘Dead Man’s Blues’ already under his belt. No stranger to a virtual event, Luke kick started a series of live-streamed shows from home in March and April which quickly escalated into the ‘Sofathon Singalong’ online festivals in aid of the Music Venue Trust. With a sold out show at King Tut’s in the spring, and TRNSMT, Belladrum and Party at the Palace all lined up for 2021, Luke’sSpecsavers Scottish Music Awards performance is the start of big things to come.

Donald C MacLeod MBE, Chairman of the NR Fundraising Committee Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to announce the return of the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards, especially during a time when it feels like we need to celebrate and support the Scottish music scene more than ever. For the past 21 years, the awards have raised vital funds for Nordoff Robbins and celebrated some of the biggest and best stars from Annie Lennox and Susan Boyle to breakthrough artists like Lewis Capaldi and Tom Walker. Like many other charities, Nordoff Robbins have been severely impacted by COVID-19, having to postpone most of our fundraising events will mean an expected loss of 75% of our fundraising income, hugely impacting those we work with. Despite everything going on, all of us at Nordoff Robbins are working hard to support and help with social isolation through online music therapy delivery and online events such as these. Music has been a lifeline for so many of us during these unprecedented times and we hope you will all join us for an incredible night of performances at the first ever virtual Specsavers Scottish Music Awards!”

Honouring artists who have made outstanding contributions to the music scene over the past twenty years, as well as breakthrough artists starting out in their careers during these turbulent times for the Scottish music industry, the return of the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards will be a night of much-needed celebration and togetherness. Funds raised on the night are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most, marking 22 years of the awards as the main fundraising event for Nordoff Robbins. 2019’s winners and performers included Simple Minds, Joesef, Twin Atlantic and Tom Walker, raising an outstanding £70,000 to ensure the charity is able to provide vital services across Scotland.

For further information on Nordoff Robbins visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk