Caledonia Collective Announce 2014 Line-Up at Scotland Week in NYC

The Caledonia Collective has announced their 2014 line-up for Scotland Week 2014 in New York City. Starring on the bill for April 6 at Webster Hall, are Big Apple Award Winners and one of Scotlands freshest bands, The LaFontaines, and the critically acclaimed Lau, with more names to be announced soon. The annual gig showcases the most exciting Scottish musical talents to a truly international audience of New York based music lovers.

The Caledonia Collective is presented by Creative Scotland and CPL, and supported by Scottish Government, a united partnership that works towards promoting Scotlands talents abroad.

Formed in 2010, The LaFontaines music is described as a fusion of guitar, hip hop and pop, a union which has seen the Motherwell born 5-piece referred to as "The best live band in Scotland" - Sunday Mail. The band competed for the once in a lifetime opportunity to play in New York City when they performed live as part of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland and Creative Scotlands Big Apple Award. The live final took place in Glasgows G2 venue in December 2013 where the band went head to head with some of Scotlands most promising emerging music talents, and were judged by a panel of industry stalwarts. Since their win in December, The LaFontaines have been announced to support All Time Low at Glasgows 02 Academy on February 21 ahead of the release of their new single "Under The Storm" in April.

Kerr Okan, The LaFontaines vocalist said: "If you had told me even a year ago that we would be chosen as the top act to represent the country, as part of the Nordoff-Robbins Scotland Big Apple Award, I would have asked you very politely to stop pulling my leg! We couldn’t be more excited about taking Fontmania to the Big Apple, and to do it during Scotland Week makes it all the more special. We will truly represent Scotland and show it off on the best possible stage.”

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said: "The Big Apple Award presents an exciting opportunity for The LaFontaines to perform in New York. Showcasing during Scotland Week will provide opportunities for the band to make new connections and build their international fan base."

Also on the bill for the Caledonian Collective are award winning Scottish folk band Lau, who started 2014 with a sold out performance at Glasgows Celtic Connections receiving yet more five star reviews including The Guardian who wrote "Lau are the UKs best live band". Their most recent album "Race The Loser" received rave reviews with accolades including five stars from the Guardian who listed the album in their Best Albums of the Year Poll. The band were also shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year in 2013 (SAY Awards) and have performed on TV show Later…With Jools Holland. Touted as modern folk music’s most innovative band, Laus performances are thrilling and demonstrate the sheer brilliance of the 3-pieces talent and free-thinking vision; something which was recognised by BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, with whom the band have won the award for Best Group 4 years running. The band continue to develop their sound and explore new directions, releasing a remix EP which features reinterpretations and re-works of the bands work by internationally respected artists including Matthew Herbert, Frightened Rabbits Gordon Skene and Sei A. If thats not enough, 2013 saw the band tour the world with their distintinctive sound, taking in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, ahead of their performance in NYC this coming Scotland Week.

Donald MacLeod, Chairman of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland charity and owner of promoters CPL Entertainment Ltd (and renowned live music venues The Cathouse & The Garage) commented: "The wealth of musical talent coming out of Scotland is phenomenal, everyone at Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland and CPL are thrilled that The LaFontaines and Lau will be representing the charity and Scotland in New York. Its a fantastic opportunity for the bands to promote themselves, and a fantastic opportunity for us as a charity to play our part in promoting Scotland internationally as a hub of creative talent."

Caledonia Collective tickets for the Webster Hall concert on April 6, 2014 are FREE! Get yours by visiting Ticketweb to register for your ticket - using "NRScot" option - tickets available now. Doors open 7pm. This event is 18+. #caledoniacollective #scotweek

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