The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) is an annual celebration of the best in new Scottish music, placing a spotlight on phenomenal bands and artists across genres. Marking the 11th anniversary of the awards, this year’s live ceremony will take place online at 6.30pm on Wednesday 18 November via a new partnership with leading live streaming platform Twitch.
The ceremony will include live performances from Glasgow quintet Walt Disco, who are known for their eccentric style and 80s new wave and post-punk sound, and Edinburgh DJ, rapper, producer and 2019 SAMA nominee Nova, whose debut solo album Re-Up has won the 2020 Scottish Album of the Year Award. Radio presenter and DJ Jim Gellatly will be on hosting duties alongside spoken word artist and theatre maker Leyla Josephine.
The shortlist is put together by specialist nominators working across the music industry. Three nominators were allocated to each awards category, given the task of selecting the four acts that would make up the shortlist.
Jamie Houston, Music Officer, Creative Scotland said:
The number of bands and artists to emerge from Scotland every year never fails to astonish. Behind the curtain of the mainstream is a world of talent which demands widespread attention. Thanks to National Lottery players, Creative Scotland is once again able to support the SAMA to celebrate voices and talent from Scotland’s burgeoning hip-hop, grime and metal scenes, as well as electronic, indie and pop.
A three day public vote will open on Monday 9 November on the SAMA website, with the winners announced live on Twitch on 18 November.
Run in partnership with Creative Scotland, Drygate Brewing, Help Musicians, Musicians’ Union and more, the SAMAs are set to provide a great night of music celebration, which can be enjoyed by fans and industry professionals from anywhere in the world.