Winners annouced for MG ALBA Scot Trad music awards
Oban High School Pipe Band had the time of their lives on Saturday (December 7) opening this year's MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on stage with Skerryvore.
The event took place in Aberdeen Music Hall in a live broadcast ceremony honouring the year’s traditional musical talent.
Hosted by world-renowned Gaelic singer Mary Ann Kennedy and award-winning musician Kim Carnie, guests enjoyed stellar live performances by trad music heroes including Skerryvore, Session A9, Benedict Morris, Heisk and Sian during the sold-out ceremony.
The biggest award, The Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music, in association with Showcase Scotland Expo, supports the winner to progress unique ideas and empower creation. Financially matched only by the Mercury Prize, the prestigious fund of £25,000 was awarded to Kinnaris Quintet, making them the first allfemale band to win the prize.
Breabach were presented with the Album of the Year Award for their sixth album, Frenzy of the Meeting.
Presenter on the night Mary Ann Kennedy scooped Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by The Highland Society of London.
Adding to her list of Trad Award accolades, Jenna Reid won Composer of the Year. Jenna’s group Blazin’ Fiddles were also awarded Folk Band of the Year. In 2005, Jenna won best up-and-coming artist and two years later she was nominated for best instrumentalist.
Following 10 consecutive sell-outs, Tiree Music Festival picked up the award for Event of the Year. The popular and deserving winner has contributed £6.4 million to the small island economy.
Praised by Rolling Stone for ‘forward-thinking folk music’, Man of the Minch took home The Up and Coming Artist of The Year award, which recognises fresh and promising talent.
After a whirlwind year of wowing crowds at Belladrum and preparing to kick off 2020 with sold-out shows across the UK, trio PEAT & DIESEL picked up the award for Live Act of the Year.
Club of the Year went to Sutherland Sessions, a newly formed organisation that provides opportunities for young local musicians to play live music and bring local, national and international musicians to Sutherland.
The sought-after Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association, went to Steve Byrne.
Event founder and promoter Simon Thoumire, said: 'It has been another fabulous year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Another great set of winners which include all the new Scots Trad Music Industry Award winners as well! Our scene is in good shape!'
Alan Morrison, head of music, Creative Scotland said: 'Yet again Na Trads prove that Scotland has an age-old music which lives and breathes in the 21st century. This year’s winners include grassroots heroes and international stars, acts who have blazed a trail for decades and others who are just starting out on a promising career. Congratulations to them all.'
Gordon Muir, marketing controller at Belhaven Brewery, said: 'We are thrilled to award this year’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music to Kinnaris Quintet. Their musical range, innovative arrangements and vibrant stage presence stood out among an amazingly talented shortlist. Since coming together in 2017, Kinnaris Quintet have brought a fresh energy to the trad scene and we look forward to the Bursary helping them spring to the next level.
'Belhaven Brewery are proud of our links with this wonderful scene with which we see so much in common – inspired by our traditions and roots, which we use to spur our imagination to create new beers and new music that bring people together for great times. We are very excited about working with Kinnaris Quintet in 2020 and can’t wait to see where the journey takes us.'
The evening was broadcast live on BBC ALBA with unseen footage to be shown on a special highlights show on December 27 at 9pm.