Top music event returns to town hall

The Scottish Album of the Year Awards returns to Paisley later this month.

The star-studded event is back in town for the second year and 300 entrants have been whittled down to just 20 contenders.

Music industry experts will crown the overall winner at a glittering bash in Paisley Town Hall.

Established acts will jostle with up-and-comers for the Album of the Year title, including alternative rock legends The Jesus and Mary Chain, who released their first record in two decades in March.

The winner will receive a £20,000 prize, with nine runners-up bagging £1,000 each.

The longlist was unveiled at Glasgow’s O2 ABC and saw performances from previous nominees, including Steve Mason, Admiral Fallow and Mungo’s Hi Fi.

It will be culled to a 10-strong shortlist, with one competitor chosen by the public in a 72-hour online vote between June 12 and 14.

Now in its sixth year, The SAY Award is Scotland’s most prestigious music prize.

The shortlist will be announced on June 15 during a special broadcast of BBC Radio Scotland’s Quay Sessions before the final on June 28.

Previous winners include Anna Meredith, Kathryn Joseph, Young Fathers, RM Hubbert and Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat.

The finalists are: Adam Holmes and The Embers; C Duncan; Ela Orleans; Fatherson; Frightened Rabbit; Honeyblood; The Jesus and Mary Chain; King Creosote; Konx-omPax; Mersault; Modern Studies; Mogwai; Pictish Trail; Rachel Newton; RM Hubbert; Sacred Paws; Starless; Teenage Fanclub; TeenCanteen and Vukovi.

Find out more and listen to selections from two albums each day by visiting www.sayaward.com