Dundee has been chosen to host a major Scottish musical event, in a move which has been branded “a big deal for the city”.
The Scottish Album of the Year Award is an annual event honouring musicians across Scotland.
Previous winners include Young Fathers, Sacred Paws and local indie outfit rEDOLENT.
It has been hosted in the central belt since it began in 2012.
Now for the first time, the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) is moving the award north-east, in a three-year partnership with Leisure & Culture Dundee, V&A Dundee and UNESCO Dundee City of Design.
And Dundee beat other cities for the chance, reveals SMIA CEO Robert Kilpatrick.
“The whole idea was we really wanted to spotlight different cultural scenes going on in different places across Scotland,” he says.
“We were in conversation with a few cities that were interested in taking the award, but it felt more than ever the right time to take it to Dundee.
“It’s such an amazing city with such great cultural and creative scene.”
City councillor Lynne Short remarked the move was “quite right too”.
“I’m always happy to see things coming up to the north-east,” she said.
“Our record shops are thriving, people here are listening to albums again, it’s fantastic.
“These awards coming here shows that we’re right there in the heart of everything that’s going on in Scotland when it comes to culture and music.”
Chance to ‘reintroduce’ iconic city venue
The first SAY Awards ceremony will take place on November 6 2025 in the Caird Hall, with two more ceremonies following in 2026 and 2027.
And culture boss Anna Day says it presents a chance to “connect” the iconic venue with fans of new music.
“We are totally over the moon to have the award coming here,” says Anna, the new head of cultural services at Leisure & Culture Dundee, who run the Caird Hall.
“It’s a really big deal for us, because it’s a chance to reintroduce the Caird Hall to a whole new generation of music fans and musicians.
“Of course, it’s already got this incredible classical programme and a brilliant connection with young people, but we need to be bringing in those new bands.
“The Caird Hall is one of the best venues in the whole of the UK, let’s be using it in every single way we can.”
‘Astronomical success’ for former winners
The event has music at its heart, and former winners rEDOLENT can attest to how much it means to have the ceremony coming to home soil.
Frontman Robin Herbert says winning the 2024 SAY Award felt like “a thumbs up from the world”.
“We’ve been going for 13 years. You get used to being beaten down,” he says.
“It has been a lot of failures and small success. Getting the award felt like an astronomical success. It’s been a real confidence boost.
“Having the awards here is a big deal for the city; it puts a spotlight on the local scene.”
And they’re thrilled to be opening this year’s event at the Caird Hall.
“Dundee feels like home to us; all our families are from here, so it’ll be nice to play for them” adds his brother and bandmate Danny Herbert.
Dundee primed to make the most of event
As well as the event itself, the SAY Awards will have an open call for local designers to design the prizes for this year’s nominees and winners.
V&A director Leonie Bell believes this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to “celebrating and supporting Dundee’s ongoing ambition for culture and creativity”.
“Dundee is a city of music, with a deep musical heritage and burgeoning contemporary scene,” she said.
“Hosting the awards for three years will allow us to think of really creative ways to celebrate the city’s creative energy.”
The SAY Award 2025 will open for nominations on July 1. Early bird tickets for the November 6 2025 ceremony are on sale now.
Conversation