Amy Macdonald, Bow Anderson added to line-up for Scottish Music Awards

Amy Macdonald and Bow Anderson are the latest stars to be announced on the bill for this year’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.

They join The Bluebells, Brooke Combe, The Fratellis, Nathan Evans, Nina Nesbitt and Wet Wet Wet on the list of performers at the charity event, which raises money for Nordoff Robbins Scotland.

For the first time in the awards’ history, it will take place in Glasgow’s iconic Barrowlands Ballroom.

The event, which will also be livestreamed online, takes place on Saturday November 13 with Biffy Clyro, KT Tunstall and Sam Fender nominated for awards.

Nominated for the Specsavers Outstanding Achievement Award, Amy Macdonald said: “It’s a huge honour to be nominated for the Outstanding Achievement award, and I’m very grateful to Nordoff Robbins and the organisers for all their support over the years.

“The Best Newcomer award was the first thing I ever won for my music and having the backing of people at home in Scotland has been a huge part of me being able to keep doing this for a living. I’m excited to perform at the show, especially as it’s at the Barrowlands, the best venue in the world.

“As always, the money raised on the night allows the incredible Nordoff Robbins therapists to continue their work helping people to communicate through music and I’m delighted to be able to do my bit for them once again.”

Rising star Bow Anderson, nominated for the Pizza Express Best Pop Act, said: “It’s a real honour to be nominated for this especially when I look at some of the people who’ve won Specsavers Scottish Music Awards early in their careers like Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Joesef and HYYTS. I’m super proud to be Scottish and to be recognised for my music by the SMA’s is amazing and I’m very grateful.”

2019 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards (Pic: Andy Buchanan)

The star-studded event aims to raise vital funds for Nordoff Robbins, a charity that believes in the value of music for all people in our society. Due to the pandemic, Nordoff Robbins’ fundraising was decimated for 2020 and their forecast for 2021 is only 40% of their pre-covid income.

Despite this huge reduction in income, their services are needed now more than ever.

This year Nordoff Robbins have delivered 3693 sessions and worked with 1197 individuals across Scotland. They will continue to meet the need as and where they can – whether online or face-to-face.

Susanne Akil, Specsavers’ Scottish chair, said: “The awards will be extra special for us as not only will we have the opportunity to crown this year’s winner, but we will get to see last year’s winner of the award, Wet Wet Wet, perform in person following last year’s virtual awards ceremony.”