Wet Wet Wet, The Fratellis and Nathan Evans are amongst those performing

A night of top notch music is set to deliver vital funds for charity.

Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has announced the line up at one of Scotland’s most anticipated nights in the music calendar, the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. Taking place on Saturday 13 November at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, the charity is delighted that guests will enjoy performances from Wet Wet Wet, The Bluebells and Brooke Combe as well as The Fratellis, Nathan Evans, Nina Nesbitt, Amy Macdonald and Bow Anderson.

Following a virtual event in 2020, the Barrowland Ballroom will host one of the biggest nights in Scottish music as the audience gathers to pay homage to some of the most talented artists the nation has to offer, whilst raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins, the charity that believes in the power of music to transform lives for all people in our society.  After the success of last year’s digital stream, music fans will be able to tune into an exclusive livestream of the event, by signing up to watch for free online.

Tickets for the event are available to purchase via Simon Foy at simon.foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Funds raised on the night via online donations, live auctions and ticket sales are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most.  This year marks 23 years of the awards as the main fundraising event for Nordoff Robbins - 2020’s winners and performers included Texas, Amy Macdonald, Wet Wet Wet, Dougie MacLean and many more, raising £89,000 to ensure the charity is able to provide vital services across Scotland.  Despite the pandemic, Nordoff Robbins has delivered 3693 sessions and worked with 1197 individuals across Scotland this year and is working with 35 partner organisations across Scotland (19 in the East and 16 in the West).

Due to the pandemic, Nordoff Robbins’ fundraising was decimated for 2020. Its forecast for 2021 is only 40% of pre-Covid income. Despite this huge reduction in income, the music therapy charity’s services for adults and children living with physical and mental illness along with those experiencing isolation are needed now more than ever. 

Sandra Schembri, chief executive of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy charity, said: “Each year, we are beyond grateful for the continuing support of the Scottish music industry through the annual Scottish Music Awards.

“At Nordoff Robbins, it is our privilege to connect, collaborate and co-create music with our clients. We are able to provide continued access to the therapeutic benefits of music through the support of the Scottish Music Awards.

“We give our thanks to all sponsors - especially our headline partners Specsavers; to some of Scotland’s most influential musical talent, and to those who attend – both in person and online. All their support gives us the opportunity to raise vital funds to continue to change lives through the power of music – working with some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our communities.”   

Nina Nesbitt said: “I’m so honoured to be nominated for the Women in Music Award at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards this year. It’s so nice to be recognised in my home country and I can’t wait to perform at the show! I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work Nordoff Robbins music therapists do for people who find it difficult to communicate in other ways, and I hope the event will raise lots of money to support them for another year.”

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.”

Wet Wet Wet bass player Graeme Clark said: “We have a special place in our hearts for Nordoff Robbins as we’ve been on one long musical journey with the charity over the years. We’re very excited to be performing at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards this year especially as it’s being held at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom where we played our first professional gig as a band back in 1985, which was the only time we’ve actually played there.”  

Lead singer Kevin Simm added: “I know first-hand about the amazing work Nordoff Robbins do with music therapy and it will be an absolute privilege to play for them again at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards where we get to continue the band’s amazing journey of support for the charity.” 

Nathan Evans said: “I still can't believe that I have been asked to attend the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards, never mind being nominated for one! Coming from where I was in January to where I am now is just incredible and to say that now I’m going to be performing and attending the Awards…it's an incredible feeling and an absolute honour. I'm looking forward to November, it can't come quick enough! Dreams really do come true!”