The LaFontaines unveiled as 2014 SAMAs headliners

The LaFontaines will return to headline the bash five years after winning Best Live Award. Picture: Scott McClure

The Motherwell band, who were the first act to win the SAMAs Best Live Award at its inaugural show back in 2010, will top a bill that also includes Brown Bear & the Bandits, Model Aeroplanes and Bear Arms.

Led by Kerr Okan, The LaFontaines were the recent recipients of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Big Apple Award, and before jetting off to perform to New York audiences in April the group will play at the event - hosted by comedian Billy Kirkwood - as well as supporting American outfit All Time Low at the city’s O2 Academy two weeks later.

Bear Arms, last year’s recipients of the Best Metal award, have been selected to feature, while 2012’s Best Acoustic Act Brown Bear & the Bandits and Dundonian newcomers Model Aeroplanes will also perform live.

The nominated acts in seven different categories, ranging from electronic all the way through to hip-hop, will soon be announced, with the opening to the public of this year’s ballot following thereafter. Last year welcomed over 22,000 votes for the budding candidates.

SAMAs founder and creative director Richy Muirhead admits the focus of this year’s diverse line-up has been a blend of both old and new, adding: “Going into year five, I think it is important to showcase acts who have previously won alongside some new faces.

“The lineup has to be diverse and mix genres. This year’s lineup really highlights this with hip-hop, rock, and alternative all thrown into the mix”.

For its fifth anniversary headliners, Muirhead only had one band in mind. “Five years ago The Lafontaines became the first act to win our Best Live award, so inviting them back is great, and also very sentimentally special,” he said.

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards take place at Glasgow’s Garage on 7 March.

For more information, or to buy tickets for the event, visit www.officialsama.co.uk.