The weather may be dreich, but the future of Scotland’s music looks bright indeed
Itwas bleak, wet and cold on Tuesday night.
And the last thing I wanted to do that dreich evening was to jump over to St Luke’s in the East End of Glasgow to be a judge in the final for a new battle of the bands – Spotlight with SSE on Capital FM.
But as I am Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland’s long-standing chairman I really didn’t have any choice.
Because the winner chosen by myself and a panel of six other luminaries would get the chance to open the 2017 SSE Scottish Music Awards next Saturday at the Fruitmarket, Glasgow.
A glittering occasion, known as the Tartan Clefs, which celebrates Scotland’s rich musical heritage and is NRS main annual fundraiser.
So I really had to attend – and I’m really glad I did!
It was a brilliant night. Host Des Clarke was on top form, as were the three unsigned live acts who had made the final cut – Riley, Brodie Barclay and the eventual winner, Stephanie Cheape.
Her humour and voice was just the tonic for anyone suffering, as I was, from the winter weather blues.
Stephanie will be the opening on a bill including The Waterboys, Emeli Sande, Hipsway, the Temperance Movement and Horse.
The evening proved that Scotland is blessed with an enormous amount of and I just wish they could all get a chance, like Stephanie, to showcase their work.
A chance to follow in the famous footsteps of previous winners such as Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini, Texas, Wet Wet Wet, Franz Ferdinand, Altered Images, The Bluebells, Annie Lennox, The Skids, Dougie MacLean, Frightened Rabbit and The Bay City Rollers.
Wth a bit of luck and tons of effort, maybe the other two finalists will make the grade and their fortune. I hope so.
I also hope more money can be found by the Scottish Government and councils to support our creative industries.
Something’s wrong when the MOBOs or MTV can get access to millions of pounds to fund their one-off events yet the homegrown, Scottish Music Awards receive next to nothing in support and have to rely on private sponsors.
The SMAs promote Scottish musical culture to the world, not just an American TV channel or international record companies.
Yes, we want these global events, of course we do, but the financial imbalance must be corrected and we should do all we can to put our own events and acts on the map.
Charity begins at home, but so does the lifeblood of the Scottish music industry.
It starts in a bedroom, a garage, a damp rehearsal room, a small venue and sometimes onstage at an awards ceremony.
And they should be given every encouragement and support to make sure that they can flourish and succeed.
Especially in Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music.