(Photo: Andy Buchanan/PA Wire)
Travis stole the show at the Scottish Music Awards as they bagged their own coveted Tartan Clef.
The Glasgow rockers closed the 18th annual Scottish Music Awards with a greatest hits set after accepting an award recognising the impact of their two-decade legacy.
The star-studded fundraising bash raised a whopping £153,000 for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins Scotland, smashing last year’s total by £13,000.
Travis brought the entire Old Fruitmarket to its feet as they treated the crowd to hits like Sing and Why Does It Always Rain On Me to round off a tremendous evening.
Frontman Fran Healy said it was “nice” to get an award but admitted the band had a habit of giving them away, having previously donated a Brit award to local boozer and former Travis rehearsal space The Horseshoe Bar.
The band will perform a massive homecoming gig at the Hydro next month before a year of writing new music ensues.
Meanwhile KT Tunstall jetted in her sunny new home in LA to collect a Tartan Clef for songwriting.
The singer, who mashed up hit Black Horse and the Cherry Tree with a kazoo-led cover of White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army, said she was delighted to share a stage with fellow songstress Amy Macdonald.
She gushed: “Anyone who says they don’t like getting awards is talking crap.
“It’s the most prestigious award to get, really, for your songs; it’s not about your image, it’s not about the PR campaign… no one else can do [your songs] for you.”
Fresh from her own headline appearance at the Old Fruitmarket earlier in the weekend, Amy Macdonald treated listeners to Down By the Water, a bluesy taster from upcoming album Under Stars .
She said: “I’m really excited that [the album’s] finally finished and ready to go … I’m just really looking forward to getting back on the road touring and doing as many gigs as possible.”
The Bluebells also took to the stage to play I’m Falling, a curveball to anyone expecting to hear Young at Heart.
(Photo: Andy Buchanan)
Kilmarnock stalwarts Biffy Clyro scooped Best Live Act but, rather fittingly, couldn’t collect the award in person because they were too busy playing a gig.
Fatboy Slim won the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, Jackmaster collected the Electronic Music Award while Middle of the Road were dubbed living legends and Jim Diamond was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Dave McGeachan of DF Concerts, best known for booking Biffy Clyro’s first King Tut’s gig, was honoured for over 18 years of grafting in the music business.
The promoter, who booked the likes of The Killers and Manic Street Preachers to play at the iconic 300-capacity venue, looked genuinely surprised to hear his name called as attendees rose to their feet in appreciation.
While T in the Park was a hot topic throughout the evening, McGeachan kept tightlipped about the organiser’s future plans, promising only that the festival would return “stronger, bigger and better”.
(Photo: Andy Buchanan)
But it wasn’t just about the big names – up-and-coming acts Red, Be Charlotte and The Lapelles also received awards.
East Kilbride rockers The Lapelles , who were awarded Best Breakthrough Act, dedicated their award to former frontman Gary Watson, who tragically passed away on his 22nd birthday earlier this year.
Gary was also remembered during a touching video montage of musicians who died in 2016 which included David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.
(Photo: Andy Buchanan)
Meanwhile Twin Atlantic, who had to cancel a scheduled stripped down performance after singer Sam McTrusty fell ill, accepted the award for Best UK Band.
Drummer Craig Kneale apologised but said the show could not go on without the frontman. He laughed: “Playing a gig without Sam would be like playing T in the Park without mud.”
Guitarist Barry McKenna hailed the work of Nordoff Robbins and its music therapists, explaining Twin Atlantic see the impact music has every time they take to the stage.
He said: “We see the therapeutic power of music every time we play a gig. People in the room are there letting their hair down and forgetting about their day … that’s just regular people who don’t necessarily have the massive hurdles to overcome that a lot of other people do.
“The power music has to change people’s lives is really important the fact that Nordoff Robbins recognise this is an amazing thing.”
The evening, hosted by Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli, saw attendees bid for items including a signed Andy Murray tennis racquet and a studio session with Scottish rock legends Gun.
Charity chairman Donald Macleod said: “It was the perfect celebration of 20 years of Nordoff Robbings Scotland and we’re incredibly grateful to the guests, sponsors, volunteers and musicians who helped us raise a staggering £153,000.
“Also, to everyone who has supported us for over 20 years – thank you.”
The winners in full
Travis – People Make Glasgow Special Recognition
Fatboy Slim – SSE Outstanding Contribution to Music
Biffy Clyro – Ticketmaster ‘Best Live Act’
Amy Macdonald – Hard Rock Cafe Heal Award
The Lapelles – Jack Daniel’s ‘Best Breakthrough Act’
Twin Atlantic – Raymond Weil ‘Best UK Band’
KT Tunstall – King Tut’s Songwriting Award
Jackmaster – Sub Club Electronic Music Award
Be Charlotte – Rekordelig Big Apple Award
Jim Diamond (posthumous) – Royal Highland Centre Hall of Fame Award
Middle of the Road – Sir Reo Stakis Living Legend Award
Red – Capital One to Watch
Dave McGeachan – Sunday Mail Music Business Award
For more information on Nordoff Robbins Scotland, visit the charity online .