Top names in the arts to perform at Paisley’s first Weave festival
June 28, 2017Paisley folk legend celebrated with live music stage at Weave fest
June 29, 2017The 2017 winner of the most coveted music prize in Scotland was tonight (Wednesday 28 June) announced as Sacred Paws with their album Strike A Match.
At a ceremony presented by co-hosts Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan at Paisley Town Hall, an audience of industry insiders, avid music fans and some of Scotland’s best and brightest creative talent watched as Sacred Paws emerged as the winner from a fiercely competitive shortlist, winning the £20,000 first prize.
The band also received a unique Paisley-inspired winners trophy, created by local jeweller Lisa Crockard, winner of the The Say Design Commission.
Band member, Rachel Aggs was overwhelmed by their win, saying “I just want to say thank you so much, thanks to the SAY Award, thanks to the judges, thanks to everyone at Rock Action and I can’t believe it! I’m trying really hard not to swear! We are not always the most confident people and I think playing music has a lot to do with confidence so this is completely overwhelming and we don’t feel like we belong here but at the same time we feel validated for what we do. Thank you.”
Formed in 2014, Sacred Paws, comprised of vocalist and guitarist Rachel Aggs and drummer Eilidh Rodgers, released their debut album, Strike A Match on January the 27th on Glasgow label Rock Action Records. The duo, based between Glasgow and London, received critical acclaim from the likes of Clash Magazine, Pitchfork, Q Magazine, DIY Magazine, amongst other titles and can now include Scottish Album of the Year to their repertoire.
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. For the past two years, the award has teamed up Renfrewshire Council, supporting the Paisley bid for UK City of Culture 2021. The shortlist served to highlight the very best in Scottish music, spanning a range of genres and audiences (see notes to editors).
The winner of this year’s public vote was the poignant Future Echoes by Pictish Trail, which won an automatic place on the shortlist after a 72-hour public vote. The remaining nine slots were awarded by The SAY Award’s panel of independent judges (see notes to editors for full details). Each of shortlisted bands won a £1,000 prize, and all ten received a 3D printed plate produced by Glasgow School of Art graduate and Paisley jeweller, Lisa Crockard.
Throughout the night guests were treated to outstanding live sets from Scottish acts including boundary-breaking The Spook School, folk quintet Elephant Sessions, vivacious Be Charlotte plus last year’s SAY Award winner, Anna Meredith. Presenters also paid tribute to the late Gary Wilson of Scottish indie-rock band The Lapelles, who tragically died on Sunday August 14th.
The SAY Award’s chosen charity this year was Help Musicians UK. It is their mission to create a sustainable future for all musicians and the industry, and is looking to create innovative opportunities for Scottish musicians and the music sector to develop their talent, skills and experience.
The public can listen to and learn more about each of the albums by visiting www.sayaward.com.
