For the third year at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom, Scotland’s music community came together for the 25th annual Specsavers Scottish Music Awards in aid of Nordoff and Robbins – the UK’s largest music therapy charity.
Hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, the ceremony, which took place on Saturday 4th November, celebrated the country’s top talent across multiple genres, including performances from Ayrshire rapper Bemz, 70s pop icons Bay City Rollers and Middle of the Road, alt-rock rising stars Dead Pony, and Scots singer-songwriters Joesef, Katie Gregson-MacLeod and Callum Beattie.
Global music legend Sir Elton John and his long-time Scots guitarist Davey Johnstone also took away top prizes, as well as rock royalty The Who and ‘I Know Him So Well’ singer Barbara Dickson OBE.
The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards’ 25th edition raised funds for Nordoff and Robbins.
All funds raised will go directly to the charity and its delivery of vital music therapy session across Scotland.
Nordoff and Robbins harness the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation, while creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society.
In alphabetical order, the complete list of winners of 2023 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards are:
Barbara Dickson – SWG3 Outstanding Achievement Award
Bemz – Blur 69 Vodka Sound of Scotland Award
Middle of the Road – Raymond Weil Heritage Award
Callum Beattie – Hard Rock Cafe Breakthrough Award
Davey Johnstone – Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Special Recognition Award
Dead Pony – P&J Live Spotlight Award
Sir Elton John – Specsavers Global Artist Award
Joesef – PizzaExpress Best Album Award
Katie Gregson-MacLeod – VEGA Breakthrough Award
Stuart Wood – Royal Highland Centre Legend Award
Rebecca Vasmant – Ballantine’s x Sub Club Electronic Music Award
The Snuts – Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award
The Who – ROX – Diamonds & Thrills Icon Award
Award-winning presenter and dedicated Nordoff and Robbins supporter Edith Bowman returned to host the event, joining some of Scotland’s biggest and best musicians on the red carpet.
She commented: “It is genuinely awesome to be back here at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. Tonight we are celebrating the wealth of talent in Scotland but not forgetting Nordoff and Robbins music therapy. In the current climate, it’s more important than ever.”
Social media sensation Katie Gregson-MacLeod, 23, kicked off the ceremony with debut hit ‘Complex’ as she scooped the VEGA Breakthrough Award recognising her career reaching new heights this year.
Accepting the award, she said: “to be recognised with these other artists is such an honour. The work of Nordoff and Robbins is so important and means a lot.”
Next, the Barrowland’s own Tom Joyes was surprised with Go Radio’s Music Industry Award in celebration of his remarkable 38 years as the venue’s general manager, before P&J Live Spotlight Award winners Dead Pony took the stage with the band showcasing the best of Scotland’s emerging scene.
Dead Pony lead singer Anna Shields said: “This honestly means the world to us. We’re a rock band and we make heavy music, and we probably shouldn’t be here accepting an award like this, but we’re so grateful to the Scottish Music Awards and Nordoff and Robbins.”
Rapper Bemz, who was also shortlisted for 2023’s Scottish Album of the Year, captivated crowds with the talent that earned him the Blur 69 Vodka Sound of Scotland Award.
On collecting his award, he said: “It’s surreal that I’m collecting the Sound of Scotland Award. If you’d told me when I first started rapping in Stranraer that my music would be recognised on such a crazy platform, I’d have bit your hand off. It means so much to represent the genre in Scotland.”
Edinburgh-born Bay City Roller Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood picked up the Royal Highland Centre Legend Award.
Then, DF Concerts received the OVO Hydro Decade Award, with CEO Geoff Ellis commenting that the OVO Hydro has been a game changer for our business, and for all promoters in Scotland.”
Joesef, who won the Breakthrough Award back in 2019, returned to receive the PizzaExpress Best Album Award honouring the Glasgow singer’s debut album ‘Permanent Damage’.
Giving fans a flavour by performing favourites like ‘Just Come Home With Me Tonight’ live at the ceremony, he said: “For a guy who knows how to talk a lot of shite…I’m speechless.”
Rox – Diamonds & Thrills Icon Award winners The Who accepted the award remotely, with Roger Daltry commending the charity on the importance of their work.
SWG3 Outstanding Achievement Award winner Barbara Dickson OBE, who was also unable to attend, said “Thank you for this award. I have enjoyed so much being a [Nordoff and Robbins] Alzheimers Ambassador in Scotland.”
In a highlight of the evening, Sir Elton John was honoured with the Specsavers Global Artist Award which was accepted on his behalf by longtime guitarist and friend Davey Johnstone.
Davey Johnstone said: “I sent Sir Elton an email the other day and said, ‘they’ve asked me to accept an award for you, is there anything you’d like me to say?’ He replied, ‘tell them I love a man in a kilt’.”
Scotsman Davey Johnstone was then himself presented the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Outstanding Achievement Award by fellow musician and old friend Rick Astley.
Rick Astley said: “I’m not a speechwriter – just a musician with fantastic hair – but it’s a pleasure to be presenting this award to an inspiration, a mentor, and a part of rock and roll history. He’s also the coolest guy I know.”
Other industry legends also extended their congratulations in a message to Davey shown at the ceremony, including Ringo Starr, Billy Connolly and Sir Elton John.
Sir Elton John said: “Davey Johnstone…you’re certainly the best guitarist, I think, to ever come out of Scotland, and that’s saying a lot. I’ve had the best time playing alongside you…you’re an incredible musician and have been with me so long. You’ve always inspired me with your brilliance. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more than you and I love you dearly.”
70s europop icons Middle of the Road teased their upcoming tour performing old favourites like ‘Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep’ as well as new material, before bagging the Raymond Weil Heritage Award.
Next, Nordoff and Robbins supporters The Snuts were given the Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award recognising the success of their live shows over the past year.
Glasgow-based DJ and producer Rebecca Vasmant received the Ballantines x Sub Club Electronic Music Award.
In an emotional acceptance, Rebecca Vasmant said: “This is for anyone like me who might face challenges in accessing the music industry, be it gender or coming from a working-class background. It’s an honour.”
Sub Club’s Mike Grieve also recognised Hacienda legend Graeme Park who won their Electronic Music Award back in 2020 but was unable to accept it in person due to the awards being online.
Callum Beattie’s Hard Rock Cafe Breakthough Award win, and performance that followed, had the room bouncing as he belted best-known song ‘Salamander Street’, with Donald MacLeod MBE calling it among his favourite performances of the past 25 years of Scottish Music Awards, and Callum “Scotland’s Bruce Springsteen”.
Callum Beattie said: “The one thing that got me through tough times when I was a kid was writing songs, so I totally understand what we’re doing here today [raising money for Nordoff and Robbins].”
In an epic ending to the 25th anniversary ceremony, legend and award-winner Stuart Wood led the latest iteration of the Bay City Rollers including newest member songwriter and performer, John McLaughlin.
Arlene Stephenson, Specsavers’ Scottish divisional chair, said: “Specsavers is thrilled to sponsor the Scottish Music Awards for a fifth consecutive year as well as the Global Artist Award this year.
“It has been fantastic seeing Scotland’s music industry come together for a celebratory evening in the Barrowland Ballroom while much needed funds were raised for Nordoff and Robbins – allowing the charity to continue delivering its important music therapy work.”
“I would like to congratulate Elton John on scooping the Global Artist Award on the night, a much-deserved win for The Rocket Man.”
Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “The 25th Specsavers Scottish Music Awards was a truly special occasion. We are incredibly grateful for the Scottish music industry’s continued support of Nordoff and Robbins, and send our thanks to all the winners and performers that joined us once again at the Barrowlands.”
“All the vital funds raised through the SMAs go directly towards our mission of using the power of music to create space for people to express themselves and find connection in society, regardless of disability, illness or social exclusion.”
Stef, the mother of Scottish Nordoff and Robbins recipient Kia, who is affected by mental and physical disabilities spoke to the importance of these sessions for the individuals and families that they support. Kia receives both one-to-one and family sessions, with Stef commenting that these “give Kia the opportunity to communicate…she drives the musical conversation. She’s a happier and more participatory child because of music therapy.”
In his welcome speech, Donald MacLeod MBE, Chairman of the Nordoff and Robbins Scottish Fundraising Committee, said: “Welcome everyone to the world famous Barrowland Ballroom for tonight’s very special 25th Anniversary of the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.”
“Over the last 10 months, Nordoff and Robbins, which is non-government funded, has used the monies it receives by way of charitable donations, to fund over 37,000 music therapy sessions, of which around 12,500 are in Scotland, across 330 partnership organisations.”
“As the need for their life-changing services continues to grow so does the need for yet more funding, and never more so than in these austere times.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of the awards, jewellery brand and sponsor ROX crafted bespoke Scottish Music Awards brooches which were gifted to all winners on the night.
Funds were raised for Nordoff and Robbins through donations at the event as well as through live auctions, to allow the charity to provide their services to those who need it most. Guided by belief in the power of music to all people in our society, the funds raised from the event allows Nordoff and Robbins to deliver transformative music therapy to people across the UK, whilst also training the music therapists of the future and undertaking groundbreaking research to measure and improve the impact of its work.
