SXSW London has announced the members of its 2026 Music Jury, including our CEO and Creative Director Robert Kilpatrick. The panel brings together nearly 100 professionals from across the global music industry who will help select artists for the festival’s apply to play stages. The jury will review submissions from artists who applied to perform…

The Keychange Talent Leadership Programme has announced its 2026 cohort of music industry leaders, bringing together professionals from across Europe and Canada who are working to advance equity, inclusion and leadership across the music sector. This year’s programme selected 44 participants from 255 eligible applications, representing 25 countries including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Canada,…

Content note: This statement references sexual violence and harassment in the music industry. We recognise that these topics can be difficult or distressing for some readers. If you are affected by these issues, support services and resources are available. We have compiled a list of support services which you can access via this insights page.…

We have published an open letter to BBC Radio Scotland regarding recent changes to its late-night music output. Written by our CEO and Creative Director Robert Kilpatrick on behalf of our 6,500+ members, and co-signed by a coalition of music sector organisations from across Scotland and the wider UK, the letter reflects concerns from across…

UK Music has unveiled a five-point plan in its Manifesto for Music Scotland to create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth ahead of key elections to Holyrood. The organisation is urging candidates to support proposals designed to boost homegrown music businesses, nurture emerging creators, remove barriers to touring and exporting, and position music as…

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has announced the latest intake of members to its Equity & Justice Advisory Group (EJAG), with our Equalities & Industry Development Officer, Vahishtai Ghosh, joining the board for a two-year term. Seven new members drawn from across the industry have been appointed to fill positions vacated by founding members who…

The LIVE Trust has announced the first distribution of funding from its voluntary £1 ticket levy on arena and stadium shows, marking an important moment for the UK’s grassroots music sector. A total of £500,000 has been awarded in Phase One of the Trust’s grant strategy, supporting programmes designed to address venue closures, rising touring…

More than 70 of Scotland’s leading artists, writers and cultural organisations have signed a new open letter urging all political parties to commit to delivering A Culture Act for Scotland in the next Scottish Parliamentary term. The artist and sector led letter, published on Burns Night (25 January 2026), calls on party leaders and culture…

More than 300 artists, writers and arts organisations have signed a new open letter calling on BBC Radio Scotland to pause planned changes to its late-night schedule and to undertake meaningful consultation with Scotland’s music sector and audiences. This artist-led open letter follows our own open letter to BBC Radio Scotland, published on 27 November…

Dear SMIA Members, As 2025 draws to a close, on behalf of the SMIA team and Company Board, I’d like to wish you all a restful festive break and all the best for the year ahead. We recognise that this can be a challenging time for many across our community. If you’re struggling, overwhelmed or…

Today we have published an open letter to BBC Radio Scotland on behalf of our +6,000 members, raising serious concerns about the decision to remove four longstanding late-night music programmes – The Iain Anderson Show, Roddy Hart, Billy Sloan, and Natasha Raskin Sharp. Together, these programmes have played a vital role in supporting Scottish artists,…

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was announced last night as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall for the first time. Kai Reesu took home the £20,000 first prize, bespoke trophy and coveted title ahead of a Shortlist including Kathryn…

Scotland’s next generation of music professionals are set to benefit from a new partnership between the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA). Students on UWS’s BA (Hons) Commercial Music and MA Music programmes will gain access to a range of new opportunities through the three-year agreement, which will run until 2028. The…

Music fans, venue owners and musicians across Scotland are urging the public to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country’s lives music venues and pubs at risk.  The proposed changes to the Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) aim to make it easier for developers to convert existing…

Today we the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as this year’s five Sound of Young Scotland finalists. Plus, KT Tunstall’s debut album ‘Eye to the Telescope’ is announced as this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award winner, with the singer-songwriter set to celebrate the win with…

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland’s national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025’s Longlist. Spanning a range of genres, and featuring two previous SAY Award winning artists, one 2025 Mercury Prize nominee and 10 debut albums, The SAY Award Longlist for 2025 in alphabetical order is:  Andrew Wasylyk…

We’re proud to announce the return and evolution of its annual conference with the SMIA Summit 2025 – a major two-day event taking place at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September. Building on last year’s digital pilot, this year’s in-person Summit – delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Glasgow Life,…

New cross-nation alliance to support artists, share knowledge and celebrate musical excellence across the UK The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, the Welsh Music Prize and the Northern Ireland (NI) Music Prize have come together to form the National Music Prize Network (NMPN), a new collaborative initiative that will champion musical talent, promote…

Earlier this year, the announcement of Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding portfolio for 2025-28 marked a major moment for Scotland’s cultural sector. Enabled by a £34m increase in culture sector investment from the Scottish Government for 2025-26, it’s allowed over 250 arts organisations to look ahead with greater confidence and stability, and it represents a vital…

We’re pleased to welcome five new Non-Executive Directors to the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) Company Board, following a public recruitment process earlier this year. These appointments represent a key step forward as we begin delivering our new 2025–2028 strategy. Our new Board members bring valuable experience across music, culture, technology and the wider creative…

UK Music has published its Hometown Glory report, which reveals that live music tourism generated record levels of economic activity across the UK in 2024. The report highlights the vital role that live music plays in supporting local economies, communities and employment, while also outlining the significant challenges that continue to impact the sector. Key…

 Our flagship project, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize, with music fans, artists and labels now encouraged to submit eligible albums for free. Last week,we revealed that The SAY Award moves to its new host city, Dundee, for the first time ever, celebrating the cultural…

The SAY Award Design Commission Now Open For Creatives In Unesco City Of Design Scotland’s national music prize, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, has unveiled a new host city for the next three years, with the award ceremony moving to Dundee in November 2025, celebrating the cultural impact and contribution of outstanding…

The Scottish Government has published findings from its Culture Sector Support Needs Survey, which received 1,227 responses from across Scotland’s cultural community, including 737 individual practitioners and 490 organisations. The survey was conducted to inform a wider review of how the culture sector is supported in Scotland, including the independent review of Creative Scotland, chaired…

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music are delighted to unveil another 18 talented independent music managers who will participate in the pioneering Accelerator Programme.  Accelerator’s goal is to help these creative entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, and to ensure those at the forefront of talent development are best prepared to support a new generation…

BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) opens a free physiotherapy clinic in Glasgow for performing arts professionals and students. The BAPAM clinic provides expert, physiotherapist-led assessment and advice to meet specialist health support needs in the performing arts. Opened in October, the clinic provides free clinical assessments to the performing arts community in the…

The UK Government is consulting on proposed changes to copyright laws that could allow AI companies to use music creators’ work without permission or payment.  The consultation seeks feedback on 4 options: The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) supports UK Music’s calls for creators and industry professionals to respond to the consultation and demand stronger…

Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity supporting grassroots music venues (GMVs) across the UK, has announced six new patrons, including Robert Kilpatrick, our CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA). Joining MVT’s existing list of patrons are acclaimed musician Kate Nash, MP for Brighton Pavilion Sian Berry, live music agent Summer Marshall,…

Yesterday, Creative Scotland announced the 251 organisations who have been successful in securing Multi-Year Funding. Thanks to an uplift in Grant-in-Aid funding from the Scottish Government – unlocking the largest budget Creative Scotland has ever had – more than £200m will be invested over the next three years. This marks the most extensive portfolio of…

The Scottish Government has launched a survey examining how the culture sector is supported in Scotland and what needs to change to best meet the needs of the sector going forward.  Responses to the survey will inform the scope of the Scottish Government’s review of how the culture sector is supported in Scotland, including an…

Dear SMIA Members, As 2024 draws to a close, on behalf of the SMIA team and company board, I’d like to wish you all a relaxing festive period, and all the best for the year ahead. We’re aware that this can be a difficult time for many people. Should anyone need support, we’d encourage you…