Latest news with #ScottishActoftheYear2025
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025 winner announced
BBC Radio Scotland has announced Becky Sikasa as the Scottish Act of The Year 2025, celebrating the most exciting emerging talent in Scotland's music scene. The final took place on Tuesday 25 March at Platform in Glasgow, where the four finalists - ili, Indoor Foxes, Becky Sikasa and Valtos - delivered incredible performances in front of a live audience. Hosted by BBC Introducing's Stephanie Cheape and Phoebe Inglis-Holmes, the event showcased the very best of Scotland's up-and-coming music acts. However, there could only be one winner and, after a standout performance, Becky claimed the prestigious title of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025. The decision was made by an expert judging panel featuring TV presenter and radio host Shereen Cutkelvin, BBC Radio 1's Jess Iszatt, Dougie Payne from Travis and Dead Pony frontwoman Anna Shields, who faced the tough job of selecting the winner from the outstanding lineup of finalists. Becky says: 'I am absolutely buzzing to be named BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025! It's been such an amazing experience to perform alongside all these incredible artists. I'm so grateful for this amazing opportunity, especially being able to do it alongside my best friends.' Heather Kane-Darling, Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland, says: "Massive congratulations to Becky Sikasa for being crowned Scottish Act of the Year 2025! Every year, I'm blown away by the level of talent in Scotland and the diversity of music coming through. Our four finalists truly represent the incredible range of artists we have here and I'm so proud that BBC Introducing can shine a light on them early in their careers. I can't wait to see what's next for them all!" The search for the Scottish Act of the Year 2025 began in January with hundreds of hopeful music acts from across the country submitting their tracks for consideration. After a rigorous selection process, eight shortlisted acts were revealed at the end of February, before the final four were announced to compete in the grand final in March. As part of the prize, the winning act will receive two professional recording sessions with BBC Radio Scotland, a coveted slot at TRNSMT, Scotland's biggest music festival, and a bespoke PR campaign to help elevate their career. Audiences can tune in to the final on BBC Scotland on Saturday 29 March at 10pm, with radio highlights airing on Friday 28 March at 8pm. Watch the 2025 BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year on BBC iPlayer Listen to BBC Introducing in Scotland on BBC Sounds RS
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Introducing Scottish Act of The Year 2025 shortlist announced
BBC Radio Scotland has revealed the eight talented acts shortlisted for the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of The Year 2025, marking the fourth year of this prestigious search for the most exciting new music talent in Scotland. From hundreds of hopefuls who submitted their tracks for consideration, a panel of expert judges has selected a shortlist that showcases the diverse range of musical talent that make up Scotland's rich music scene. The 2025 shortlist represents a wide variety of genres, from punk and folk to indie rock and jazz. A panel of expert judges will now select the top four acts who will advance to the final, where they will compete for the title of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of The Year 2025. The shortlisted acts: Isabella Strange – Retro punk-indie outfit Love,Shaun – Electronic dance producer Quiet Man – Jazz-infused performer from Glasgow ili – Multi-instrumentalist, pop singer, and songwriter Indoor Foxes – Scottish indie rock artist Becky Sikasa – Soul singer and songwriter Valtos – Electronic and folk fusion duo Lo Rays – Glasgow-based modern rock band The shortlist will be announced live on air by Stephanie Cheape and Phoebe Inglis-Holmes on BBC Introducing in Scotland on Friday 28 February. The top four finalists will perform in front of a live audience at Platform, Glasgow, on March 25, 2025, with the event televised by BBC Scotland on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and radio highlights airing on Friday, March 28. On top of earning the prestigious title of Scottish Act of the Year 2025, the winning act will receive two professional recording sessions with BBC Radio Scotland, a coveted spot at Scotland's largest music festival, TRNSMT, and a bespoke PR campaign to help elevate their career. The competition will be hosted by Phoebe Inglis-Holmes and Stephanie Cheape, presenters of BBC Introducing in Scotland. Reflecting on the exceptional talent in this year's competition, Stephanie Cheape says: 'The Scottish Act of the Year is back and we're thrilled to showcase the vast amount of talent within the Scottish industry. This is my first year presenting the award and with all eyes on Scotland, this is our time to shine. I can't wait to see the finalists blow everyone away at the end of March.' Phoebe Inglis-Holmes adds: 'The shortlisted acts are all so unique but equally talented – I really can't predict who will make the final! This Award is an incredible platform for emerging artists, and seeing Bottle Rockets' success since winning last year has been amazing. I can't wait to see which acts make the final!' This year's expert judging panel includes Dundee dance sensation Hannah Laing, BBC Radio 1's Jess Iszatt, Dougie Payne from Travis and Dead Pony frontwoman Anna Shields. Key Dates Submissions open: Friday, January 10, 2025 (8pm) Submissions close: Monday, January 27, 2025 (8pm) Shortlist announced: Friday, February 28, 2025 Finalists announced: Friday, March 21, 2025 Live final at Platform, Glasgow: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 BBC Introducing Scottish Act of The Year broadcast: Radio highlights: Friday, March 28, 2025, 8-10pm TV broadcast (BBC Scotland): Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11pm Digital streaming: Available on BBC iPlayer from Saturday, March 29, 2025 About BBC Introducing in Scotland BBC Introducing in Scotland is dedicated to uncovering and supporting the best unsigned, undiscovered, and under-the-radar musical talent across the country. Airing every Friday from 8-10pm on BBC Radio Scotland, the show plays a crucial role in spotlighting emerging artists and nurturing Scotland's thriving music community.
