Twenty years of celebrating music
Highlights of Scotland’s best musical talent being honoured
IT’S set to be a monumental year for the SSE Scottish Music Awards, taking place on December 1.
Not only is this year the first time the ceremony has been held at the SEC – it is also the award’s 20th birthday.
Following a stint at Glasgow’s legendary Old Fruitmarket, the awards are going to be bigger than ever to mark the special birthday – not that us Scots need an excuse to celebrate.
Ahead of the big night, we’re taking a look back the highlights from the past two decades in Scottish music, all of which has been documented through the awards.
Over its 20-year run, the SSE Scottish Music Awards have commended the (once) emerging talent like Paolo Nutini and Emeli Sande and celebrated the longevity of acts including Wet Wet Wet and Deacon Blue.
Every year in Scottish music has its unforgettable moments and luckily for our readers – a few have been captured on camera:
2004: Wet Wet Wet take the top prize at the awards that also seen the T in the Park Best Live Performance award given to The Darkness.
2007: Idlewild bagged the Best Festival Act award, Biffy Clyro took home Band of the Year Award and Amy MacDonald won the newcomer award – she will return to the 20th year celebrations next week!
2008: Orange Juice bag the Lifetime Achievement Award and The Fratellis take home the Tartan Clef gong!
2008: The kings of Scotland at the time, The View win the Best Live Band award and the SECC Award goes to DF Concerts.
2010: Paolo Nutini takes home the top award of the evening whilst Amy MacDonald returns to the awards for Best Album.
2011: Frightened Rabbit win the King Tut’s Best Live Band award – nominees for the songwriting award – whilst Emeli Sande wins Breakthrough Award and Big Country take home the Pride of Scotland Award.
2012: Nicola Benedetti wins the Special Recognition award, The View return winning Album of the Year, Deacon Blue take home Landmark Achievement. 2013: Camera Obscura win King Tut’s Songwriting Award, Twin Atlantic make their debut with the Breakthrough Act gong going home with them, Mogwai win Best Live Act, Susan Boyle takes home the Fans Choice Award and Shirley Mason wins Innovation Award.
2014: Prince takes home SSE Hydro Act of the Year, Fatherson win the Hard Rock award and Idlewild return to the awards for the King Tut’s Songwriting gong.
2015: SSE Best Live Act goes to Paolo Nutini, Noel Gallagher wins the Ticketmaster Tourmaster award, KLOE takes home the Rekorderlig Big Apple Award and Bay City Rollers win the Living Legend Award.
2016: Twin Atlantic return for the UK Best Band Award, Travis win Special Recognition Award, KT Tunstall wins Songwriting Award, Biffy Clyro return for th Best Live Act accolade and The Lapelles win in the Breakthrough category.
‘‘ Every year in Scottish music has its unforgettable moments
2017: The Temperance Movement win the Best Rock Band, Denis Sulta takes home the Sub Club Electronic Award, Lewis Capaldi wins Best Breakthrough, Ian Stewart of The Rolling Stones fame takes home Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award, Texas wins Tourmaster Award, Tom Walker wins Newcomer, Nina Nesbitt wins Evolution.