Scots rock band the LaFontaines have decided to “call it a day” after “17 incredible years”.
The Motherwell rockers, who have headlined the Barrowlands and played festivals like T in the Park, TRNSMT and Reading and Leeds festival, announced to their fans on social media that they will be hanging up their instruments.
Forming in 2008, Kerr Okan, Jamie Keenan and Darren McCaughey have made a major impact on the Scottish music scene – producing four studio albums.
A post by the band on Facebook read: “Here we go…After 17 incredible years as a band, four albums deep, and countless unforgettable shows, we’ve made the very difficult decision to call it a day. It’s been less than easy—this band has been everything to us. It let us create something unique and took us far beyond the bounds of North Lanarkshire, but mostly it brought us more happiness than should be allowed in a lifetime.
“The most important people to thank are you. The folk who showed up to the shows, who listened to the albums, bought the merch, and joined us along the way. You don’t last this long as a band without that (genuinely started bubbling writing that bit there). It wouldn’t be like us to leave before last orders, so let’s have one last shindig.
“The final gigs are in London and Glasgow. Tickets are on sale Friday, 6th December. Going to miss you, Fonts.”
Devastated fans reacted to the announcement, with one saying: “So gutted to read this, some of the best gigs I’ve been to have been yours. I can remember seeing you guys at the ABC in Glasgow before your first album had even come out and I can remember thinking I had never seen so many photographers line the stage before. You never disappoint, one of the best live bands around. Cheers for the memories, guys! All the best for the future.”
Another added: “Gutted to be reading this, there’s no band I’ve seen more than yourselves (12 times) but all good things come to an end at some point. Hope you guys stay pals as that’s what life’s all about, thanks for the memories, they are precious to us too. Maybe see you in Glasgow.”
A third commented: “Thank you for all the memories. I’m absolutely gutted, but I hope you three kill it in each of your next adventures. Thank you again for the four great albums and 17 years.”
On June 26, 2008, the band opened for American rap duo The Cool Kids at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut for their debut performance. Then through shows supporting Beardyman, N-Dubz, Chiddy Bang, Mongrel, and Example, they subsequently built up a rabid local following.
Their popularity built and built to opening the main stage at T in the Park in 2015 to headlining their biggest headline show to date at the Glasgow Barrowlands not long after. In 2018, they replaced J Hus at TRNSMT and opened the Main Stage on day two.
After Scotland qualified for their first major tournament since 1998, the LaFontaines released their comedy Scotland anthem, “Scotland, Bonnie Scotland”, for Euro 2020. Throughout their career, they have supported acts like the Kaizer Chiefs, Yungblud and Deaf Havana, whilst also helping launch the career of Gerry Cinnamon who supported them at their sold-out Glasgow ABC show in 2014.
Other members through the years included; Anna Smith on bass guitar from 2008 to 2011, Iain Findlay on guitar from 2008 to 2016, John Gerard on vocals and bass guitar from 2011 to 2018 and Neil Mulholland on vocals and guitar from 2016 to 2019.
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