PPL has long been committed to supporting and helping grow a thriving music community across the UK. One of the many ways we do this is by supporting our national music awards: the Welsh Music Prize, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and the Northern Ireland (NI) Music Prize.
These awards celebrate the breadth and depth of musical talent across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Our involvement goes beyond sponsorship – it’s about championing diverse voices, creating platforms for artists and helping them build sustainable careers in music.
Representatives from our organisation attend these flagship events to support in a variety of ways; from absorbing all of the music shortlisted and taking part in judging panels, to connecting with performers and industry professionals at networking events, to providing advice on our royalties collections service and spread the word about our funding partnerships.
We are especially proud to see how many artists nominated for these prizes have previously been supported by PPL’s charitable initiatives. PPL Giving, our community-focused programme, and the PPL Momentum Music Fund, managed by PRS Foundation, are two of the key ways we help artists progress in their careers.
Combined, these initiatives – along with PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund – provide funding for everything from album projects and touring to music education and mental health support.
The Welsh Music Prize: Spotlighting Wales’ finest talent
Launched in 2011 by broadcaster Huw Stephens and music promoter John Rostron, the Welsh Music Prize shines a light on the best music made in Wales or by Welsh artists worldwide.
This year’s ceremony took place in October as part of Cardiff Music City Festival, with live performances from shortlisted acts including Gwenno, Panic Shack, Sage Todz and Taff Rapids – the latter recipients of the PPL Momentum Sbardun | Accelerator Fund. The fund is a targeted programme supporting artists and industry professionals outside of London reach the next stage of their careers. The programme is currently available in Liverpool, Tees Valley, Yorkshire and Wales – find out more information and the upcoming application deadlines here.
Of the 15 albums shortlisted this year, six came from artists who have received support through funding programmes PPL contributes to: Adwaith, Cerys Hafana, Kelly Lee Owens, Melin Melyn, Panic Shack and The Gentle Good.
The £10,000 prize was awarded to Cardiff-based producer Don Leisure for his album Tyrchu Sain. The Welsh Music Inspiration Award was presented to Cardiff musician Pino Palladino, who bass playing credits include Adele, Elton John, Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus.
As part of the wider festival, PPL Membership Development Manager Leo O’Brien hosted a PPL In Session workshop – a free event introducing performers to the practicalities of managing their repertoire and making sure they are fairly rewarded when their music is broadcast or played in public.
The SAY Award: A celebration of Scottish music and art
Each Autumn, the SAY Award brings Scotland’s music scene together to celebrate standout records across genres. PPL has been a proud supporter of this event since its launch in 2012.
This year’s ceremony took place on 6 November in Dundee’s Caird Hall following two years at Stirling’s Albert Halls.
The shortlist always sparks conversation and discovery. The 10 nominated albums reflected Scotland’s musical diversity, spanning jazz, folk, hip-hop and pop. Four shortlisted acts – Brooke Combe, Cloth, Hamish Hawk and TAAHLIAH – have previously received support from the PPL Momentum Music Fund.
Hip-hop and jazz act Kai Ressu won the £20,000 prize for his album ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’, while winners of the Modern Scottish Classic Award (‘Eye to the Telescope’ by KT Tunstall) and Sound of Young Scotland Award (Alice Faye) were also celebrated.
To date, the SAY Award has distributed over £425,000 in prize money, as well as recognising 280 longlisted albums across a broad range of styles.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “It’s a powerful statement about the value that Scotland places on music – and on the album as an art-form – in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and metrics.”
The NI Music Prize: Honouring Northern Ireland’s rising stars
The NI Music Prize, held on 12 November, rounded off the year’s national music prize celebrations. Organised by the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast – a PRS Talent Development Network organisation, supported by PPL – the event recognises some of the most exciting artists from across the region.
Alongside Album of the Year, the night also celebrated winners for Single of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Creator of the Year and Artist of the Year.
PPL is proud to sponsor the Album of the Year prize, and of this year’s 12 shortlisted albums, four are by acts who have previously received support through the PPL Momentum Music Fund: And So I Watch You From Afar, Ciaran Lavery, Jordan Adetunji and Joshua Burnside.
This year’s award went to MO LÉAN by RÓIS – the artist and composer Rose Connolly – who was presented with the trophy and £3,000 prize by PPL’s Leo O’Brien. RÓIS also took home the Live Act of the Year on the night.
Released in October 2024, RÓIS’ collection was promoted in collaboration with Moving On Music, a Belfast-based organisation supported by PPL Giving who help local talent by coordinating tours and organising festivals, as well as leading many outreach and education projects.
The NI Music Prize took place during the Sound of Belfast Festival, a two-week programme of music workshops, panels, showcases and more – including a PPL in Session led by Leo.
“It’s a real pleasure to present the Album of the Year award and to celebrate the strength and originality of music coming out of Northern Ireland,” Leo said. “Events like this not only spotlight local talent but also help us connect directly with the artists we support – whether that’s through advice, funding or developing their understanding of how neighbouirng rights work.”
By championing music prizes nationwide, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping build and sustain a vibrant and inclusive music ecosystem. These awards are first and foremost a celebration of music, but they also create vital opportunities for artists to grow and thrive.
