The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award public vote is open from Monday 12 June until midnight on Wednesday 14 June, giving music fans all over the world 72 hours to choose their favourite album from The SAY Award Longlist.  The public’s choice will be guaranteed a much sought after slot on The SAY Award Shortlist, due to be exclusively revealed as part of BBC Music Day 2017 and BBC Radio Scotland’s The Quay Sessions on Thursday 15 June. Simulcast on BBC Radio Scotland and 6 Music, the show features live performance from The Charlatans, Arab Strap and Lau.

The public can now cast their vote in support of the album they think should be on the shortlist and for the very first time ever, their vote will automatically enter them into a ballot to win an exclusive pair of tickets to this year’s SAY Award ceremony on June 28.  The album with the most votes at midnight on Wednesday will make the list, earning the artist a guaranteed £1,000 and the chance to be crowned Scottish Album of the Year 2017 and earn the £20,000 prize.

The winner of the public vote will join nine other shortlisted titles chosen by The SAY Award’s independent judging panel, these include: Stuart Cosgrove (Writer/Broadcaster), Caroline Winn (Glasgow International), Roland Gulliver (Edinburgh International Book Festival), Amy Liptrot (Writer), Claire Gevaux (Help Musicians UK), Tallah Brash (The Skinny), Lauren Martin (Music Journalist), Andy Hannah (Line Of Best Fit), David Scott (University of the West of Scotland), Barry Price (Sub Club), Stephanie McWhinnie (TV Producer), John Williamson [CHAIR] (Glasgow University).

This year’s longlist symbolises the variety of emerging and established talent in Scotland including a diverse range of genres and internationally renowned acts.

The full SAY Award 2017 longlist is as follows (in alphabetical order): 

Adam Holmes and The Embers

C Duncan

Ela Orleans

Fatherson

Frightened Rabbit

Honeyblood

The Jesus and Mary Chain

King Creosote

Konx-om-Pax

Meursault

Modern Studies

Mogwai

Pictish Trail

Rachel Newton

RM Hubbert

Sacred Paws

Starless

Teenage Fanclub

TeenCanteen

Vukovi

Brighter Still

The Midnight Sun

Circles of Upper and Lower Hell

Open Book

Painting of a Panic Attack

Babes Never Die

Damage and Joy

Astronaut Meets Appleman

Caramel

I Will Kill Again

Swell To Great

Atomic

Future Echoes

Here’s My Heart Come Take It

Telling The Trees

Strike A Match

Starless

Here

Say It All With A Kiss

Vukovi

Produced by The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), and now in its sixth year, The SAY Award has grown to become the most prestigious music prize in Scotland. Previous winners include Young Fathers (2014) and Kathryn Joseph (2015). Composer and performer Anna Meredith will also join BBC Radio Scotland’s The Quay Sessions to share news of her year since winning the SAY Award for her album, ‘Varmints’ in 2016.

This year’s prestigious SAY Award ceremony will be held in Paisley Town Hall on Wednesday 28 June supporting Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. 

Robert Kilpatrick, Project Manager of The SAY Award said: “Taking part in the public vote really is the chance to have your SAY. Not only will your vote play an important part in the determination of The Shortlist, but for the first time ever, anyone who enters the public vote will also be entered into a ballot to win an exclusive pair of tickets to this year’s SAY Award ceremony, taking place on Wednesday 28 June at Paisley Town Hall. We’re delighted to be opening up the ceremony this year, rewarding those who engage with the process and champion the outstanding Scottish albums celebrated.”