A busy room of people watching Dead Pony perform at The SAY Award 2023 Ceremony

News

Stay informed with the latest from the SMIA, including our own news, developments, and exclusive features, alongside key music industry updates from Scotland and beyond.

  • MMF ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME: A CONVERSATION WITH JIM FREW ON NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

    MMF ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME: A CONVERSATION WITH JIM FREW ON NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

    The MMF Accelerator Programme is the world’s only independent funding and professional development programme for music managers. The SMIA has been a proud partner on the programme since 2019, with the programme offering both financial and educational support including 12-month grants of up to £15,000, alongside expert-led professional development training.   A report published last year…

  • MMF Accelerator Programme: A Conversation with Kariss Andrews on Professional Development

    MMF Accelerator Programme: A Conversation with Kariss Andrews on Professional Development

    The MMF Accelerator Programme is designed for music managers looking to take their careers to the next level. Offering a comprehensive support system including funding, training, and mentoring, the programme is tailored to empower managers with the tools, knowledge, and network they need to excel in the rapidly evolving music industry.   The SMIA has…

  • Applications open for the MMF’s 2024 Accelerator Programme for Music Managers

    Applications open for the MMF’s 2024 Accelerator Programme for Music Managers

    The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music are delighted to announce that applications for the 6th year of the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers are now open.   The deadline for submissions is 10am Monday 26th February 2024. Full details can be found here.   Launched in 2019, Accelerator remains the world’s only independent funding and professional development program designed exclusively…

  • An End Of Year Member Message From Robert Kilpatrick; CEO and Creative Director

    An End Of Year Member Message From Robert Kilpatrick; CEO and Creative Director

    Dear SMIA Members,    It’s hard to believe that we’re now quickly approaching the end of 2023. On behalf of the SMIA team and Company Board, I’d like to wish you a relaxing festive period and all the best for the new year.   We’re aware that this can be a difficult time for many…

  • Dougal Perman, our SMIA Board Chair 2016 – 2023; Farewell Reflections

    Dougal Perman, our SMIA Board Chair 2016 – 2023; Farewell Reflections

    Dougal Perman was SMIA Chair from April 2016 to March 2023. He reflects on his time as chair, how the organisation has changed and how he found the role.   “Music, maths and love — the three universal languages.’’ So said great family friend, John, to me when his wife was tutoring me in maths…

  • NEWS: WE’RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE JEN HUNTER AS SMIA CHAIR + MORE

    NEWS: WE’RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE JEN HUNTER AS SMIA CHAIR + MORE

    Today we announce the appointment of Jen Hunter as our Chair of the SMIA Board, with Robert Kilpatrick also announced as CEO and Creative Director on a permanent basis following being appointed to the interim role earlier this year.   Jen Hunter will now lead the SMIA’s Company Board and support Kilpatrick in the setting…

  • NEWS: THE SCOTTISH ALTERNATIVE MUSIC AWARDS RETURN

    NEWS: THE SCOTTISH ALTERNATIVE MUSIC AWARDS RETURN

    The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) return this year to Glasgow marking their fourteenth edition of the event, celebrating and putting a spotlight on underground music genres and artists from Scotland.   This year’s nominations represent 7 music awards, and were selected from 21 UK based industry professionals from organisations including Clash Mag, Tenement TV,…

  • NEWS: YOUNG FATHERS WIN THE SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD WITH ‘HEAVY HEAVY’

    NEWS: YOUNG FATHERS WIN THE SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD WITH ‘HEAVY HEAVY’

    Young Fathers ‘Heavy Heavy’ was announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award at the prestigious Ceremony in Stirling’s Albert Halls this past Thursday 26th October. Young Fathers claimed the title ahead of a Shortlist including Paolo Nutini, Becky Sikasa, Joesef and more, taking home £20,000 and the coveted title of Scottish…

  • NEWS: RESONATE 2023 – SCOTLAND’S MUSIC INDUSTRY CONFERENCE UNVEILS PROGRAMME & SHARLEEN SPITERI KEYNOTE

    NEWS: RESONATE 2023 – SCOTLAND’S MUSIC INDUSTRY CONFERENCE UNVEILS PROGRAMME & SHARLEEN SPITERI KEYNOTE

    Scotland’s music industry conference, Resonate, is back with its excellent 2023 line-up, scheduled for Thursday, 23rd November at Platform in Glasgow. This year’s highlights feature a keynote address by Sharleen Spiteri, vocalist of Texas.   Resonate, an annual music conference organised by the team at 23rd Precinct Music, is designed to accelerate learning, networking, and…

  • NEWS: THE SAY AWARD SHORTLIST 2023

    NEWS: THE SAY AWARD SHORTLIST 2023

    Today we revealed the SAY Award 10 Shortlisted albums in the running for the £20,000 prize and coveted national title, plus Paolo Nutini’s ‘These Streets’ is announced as the winner of 2023’s Modern Scottish Classic Award (chosen by this year’s Longlisted artists) and the five finalists for this year’s Sound of Young Scotland Award have…

  • OPPORTUNITY: SENSORIAPRO 2023 EVENT IN SHEFFIELD

    OPPORTUNITY: SENSORIAPRO 2023 EVENT IN SHEFFIELD

    SensoriaPro announces its 2023 line-up for Friday, 6th October at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield.   This event gathers composers, filmmakers, music publishers, supervisors, games developers, and festival organisers to discuss the latest in music and film. With speakers, direct interactions with international buyers, and networking opportunities, SensoriaPro 2023 is a notable event in the…

  • NEWS: SMIA STATEMENT ON THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S CUTS TO THE CREATIVE SCOTLAND 2023-2024 ANNUAL BUDGET

    NEWS: SMIA STATEMENT ON THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S CUTS TO THE CREATIVE SCOTLAND 2023-2024 ANNUAL BUDGET

    “As part of the Autumn budget review, the Scottish Government has re-instated a 10% cut to Creative Scotland’s 2023-24 annual budget (totaling approximately £6.6m), which following mass campaigning from the cultural sector, was overturned earlier this year. As the organisation which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry – representing a diverse membership…

  • NEWS: RESONATE ANNOUNCE FIRST WAVE OF SPEAKERS + ARTIST OPEN CALL

    NEWS: RESONATE ANNOUNCE FIRST WAVE OF SPEAKERS + ARTIST OPEN CALL

    Resonate, a music industry conference organised by the team at 23rd Precinct Music, has announced its first list of guest speakers for the 2023 event. Scheduled for 23rd November 2023 at Platform, Glasgow, the conference has been a platform for music practitioners from Scotland and beyond since 2017. The event will feature panels, workshops, demonstrations,…

  • NEWS: THE SAY AWARD LONGLIST 2023 ANNOUNCEMENT

    NEWS: THE SAY AWARD LONGLIST 2023 ANNOUNCEMENT

    Now in the running to win the coveted title and £20,000 first prize, we’re delighted to announce The SAY Award Longlist for 2023; as whittled down from a record-breaking 437 eligible albums by 100 impartial industry Nominators:   Andrew Wasylyk – Hearing The Water Before Seeing The Falls Becky Sikasa – Twelve Wooden Boxes Bemz – Nova’s…

  • NEWS: SCOTTISH AWARDS FOR NEW MUSIC 2023 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

    NEWS: SCOTTISH AWARDS FOR NEW MUSIC 2023 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

    The annual Scottish Awards for New Music were held this past Friday 1st September 2023 at the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow. Hosted by Susanna Eastburn MBE, the Scottish Awards for New Music unveiled the most notable of Scotland’s contemporary music talent.   The winners: Dorico Award for Small-scale Work: David Fennessy for “Jack for…

  • Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) appoints Robert Kilpatrick as Interim CEO and Creative Director

    Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) appoints Robert Kilpatrick as Interim CEO and Creative Director

    We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Kilpatrick as Interim CEO and Creative Director, who commences post with immediate effect. He will now lead the SMIA’s executive team and work with the company’s board to increase the value of Scotland’s music industry both at home and on the world stage; economically, socially and culturally. …