This year is a special one for everyone here at Scottish Alternative Music Awards, 2019 marks TEN exciting award ceremonies, moments, and developments.

Sit back, grab a cuppa and join us to take a look back at TEN of our favourite SAMA’s moments to gear you up for this October!

Early days; Classic Grand, Lafontaines first live act winners
With the first ever Scottish Alternative Music Awards taking place in The Classic Grand in 2009, the initial idea from Richy Muirhead was formed after a life-changing trip across Germany in which Muirhead took part in a TV show for MTV & Sony Ericsson called Fanwalk. The experience led to the creation of Scotland's own music awards focused on the alternative putting a spotlight on genres. Being crowned the first ever Best Live Act winners, The LaFontaines would go on to sell out venues across the country. Other artists performing on the night included Bronto Skylift, and Make Sparks.

2. Showcasing Scottish artists to wider audiences across Scotland and beyond!

Ever since its inception in 2009, the SAMA’s has strived to bring the best new artists to the forefront of the national music scene. Outwith the main event of the Awards, the SAMA’s has hosted stages and events such as their very own SAMA’s Paisley Takeover, Xpo North, Perth Expo Music and upcoming events with Cryptic’s Sonica Glasgow 2019, and Liverpool Sound City 2020.

3. Lots of special moments in The Garage

As the awards ceremony gained more popularity and presence, this was met with a demand for a bigger venue. Shifting from The Classic Grand, to The Garage on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street in 2012 allowed for the SAMA’s to expand their horizons. With acts such as Holy Mountain, Crash Club, Stillhound and Fatherson being just some of the acts that blew audiences away on the night.

Stillhound. Above: Credit Stuart Westwood.Gerry Cinnamon. Below: Credit: BBC The Social. — Stillhound. Above: Credit Stuart Westwood.
Gerry Cinnamon. Below: Credit: BBC The Social.

4. Crowd surfing at awards show

As far as other awards shows go, the SAMA’s prides itself in its live gig format. The live acts featured on the night are as integral to the night as the awards themselves. The live nature of the show allows the energy of the night to take hold of the crowd and let them go wild, for instance when hip-hop group Hector Bizerk played a blistering set it riled a select few and frontman Louie to crowd surfed through the venue. Perhaps the only awards show in the world to have crowd surfers? This has continued in years with sets from Baby Strange, The Van T’s and SHREDD.

5. Saint Lukes moments - SAMA’s move East!

2018 saw the SAMA’s relocate to the stunning St. Lukes venue located in Glasgow’s Gallowgate, once again allowing the awards to grow. Seeing Paisley art-pop heroes The Vegan Leather and electronica mastermind Blanck Mass conquer the stage in a dazzling display, with Heir of the Cursed and SHREDD! kicking the night off. 2018’s ceremony saw the likes of LYLO, Megan Airlie, Solareye and Lo Kindre walk away with awards voted by the public.

The Vegan Leather @ 2018 Ceremony, Credit: Neil McKenzie.

6. Rebel Rebel Live Sessions

One of the longtime partners for the SAMA’s has been the award winning Rebel Rebel Barbers. Based in Glasgow’s city centre and new Finnieston hub, the barbers has allowed the awards to fully utilise their shops to host intimate in-store sessions and photoshoots whilst financially supporting the running of the projects. Declan Welsh and Megan Airlie captured hearts at the in store session at Rebel Rebel’s shop in Finneston this year, while hosts Jim Gellatly and Leyla Josephine were treated to a haircut and a photoshoot in the city centre shop.

7. Watching previous nominated and winning artists enjoy successful careers in music!

Team SAMA’s have LOVED watching the careers of many Scottish artists grow since the nominations / win. To name a few, former winners such as Gerry Cinnamon, The Ninth Wave, Fatherson, Shambolics and more are currently making waves across the globe!

Kirkaldy Rock/Alt band Shambolics are now signed to Alan McGee’s Creation23 Label.

8. Raising money for Help Musicians Scotland!

Offering practical, positive help to new, professional and retired musicians Help Musicians Scotland aim to develop careers and supply help to those in need. This ranges from creative opportunities to helping those with illnesses, creating a support network for those who need it. The SAMA’s help raise money for this wonderful charity with stalls at all events, allowing HM Scotland to get the full exposure and support it deserves.

Find out more the music charity, and ways they can help you by clicking here.

9. Providing a digital platform for the industry, and music fans to find new bands; SAMA’s New Music Blog

Promoting artists has been at the core of the SAMA’s since the beginning, in order to benefit the wider national music scene and let flourish. Keeping a close eye on the burgeoning scenes across Scotland, The SAMA’s aim to push these artists into the limelight through a monthly new music blog featuring 10 tracks. The playlist is dedicated to innovative, quality song writers across the board.

You can submit your music to us for consideration at officialsama@outlook.com
You can find out playlists on Spotify by searching @officialSAMA

Listen to the August SAMA’s round up playlist below.

10. Join us to celebrate TEN years this October

As we approach the tenth awards ceremony the future of the SAMA’s is looking strong. Dumfries five-piece Franky’s Evil Party will bring their blistering sound alongside CHLOBOCOP’s dark, trap-infused beats to the stage this year at St. Lukes, with the wonderful Jim Gellatly and Leyla Josephine set to present. With a partnership formed with Liverpool’s Sound City set to take action next May, the SAMA’s can only continue to be a staple in the national music conscious.