Scots Rockers sign-up to anti-racism campaign

The Scottish Government’s ‘One Scotland’ campaign and Bauer Radio Events, today announce the first act appearing at RoAR 2009. Kicking off this year’s Rock Against Racism tour is none other than home-grown 4-piece Franz Ferdinand, who’ll be heading to the Scottish Borders for a special RoAR gig in Selkirk’s Victoria Hall on Wednesday 17th June.

RoAR is a series of live music gigs that aim to celebrate Scotland’s multi-cultural society and help tackle racist attitudes. The free shows, featuring major chart acts, take place across Scotland in both established and more unusual venues. Racist attitudes and behaviour, intentional or not, have a negative impact on Scotland, the people living here, and how we are viewed by the rest of the world. RoAR, as part of the One Scotland campaign, reminds people that racism is wrong and detracts from the kind of Scotland we all want to live in.  This is particularly important in times of economic downturn when we need to remember that diversity is one of Scotland’s strengths.

The first two series of RoAR (in 2006 and 2008) were highly successful and generated a huge amount of interaction and support from the Scottish media and public alike. Some of the biggest names in the UK charts have played RoAR gigs to date including Hard-Fi, The Zutons, Scouting For Girls and Scots ‘locals’ Amy MacDonald and Paolo Nutini,.

And it’s another mighty Scots acts that launches RoAR 2009. It’s been a busy year so far for Franz Ferdinand - Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Paul Thomson and Bob Hardy.  The band released their third album, ‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’, through Domino Records in January of this year.  The album stormed into the charts in 20 countries worldwide, sparking classic singles ‘Ulysses’, ‘No You Girls’ and the forthcoming track ‘Can’t Stop Feeling’, out 6th July. 

With a hectic schedule of festival dates in Europe and Japan over the summer including UK appearances at Glastonbury and T In The Park ahead of their October UK tour, the band continue their quest for world domination and RoAR organisers are delighted that the guys have made time in their diaries to launch the 2009 RoAR tour.

Tickets to RoAR with Franz Ferdinand are FREE and available through Bauer Media competitions next week (Clyde 1, Forth One, MFR, Tay FM, Northsound 1, West FM & Radio Borders) and at www.RockAgainstRacism.info now.

RoAR also gives unsigned bands and solo artists based in Scotland the chance to shine via its renowned ‘Talent Trawl’. Anyone who has aspirations to be the next Franz Ferdinand, Calvin Harris or Amy MacDonald can win the chance to open the show at one of the four RoAR gigs on this year’s tour. For the chance to support Franz Ferdinand and other major acts in 2009, log onto www.rockagainstracism.info now.  The competition is open to any unsigned musicians living in Scotland over the age of 16. The closing date for the Franz Ferdinand support slot is Friday 5th June at 9am. Five finalists will be shortlisted for ahead of each show and the eventual winner will be determined via an online public vote.

There is also the chance for members of the public to ‘have their say’ on the Rock Against Racism website. The Scottish Government and Bauer Radio Events are calling on all Scots to log on NOW and get involved – to stand up and speak out against discrimination, celebrate our many cultures and help make our country a welcoming place that is free from prejudice. 

Siobhan Crampsey of Bauer Radio Events says:

“We’re thrilled and privileged to have Franz Ferdinand open the 2009 Rock Against Racism tour and it’s fantastic that they’re lending their support to the campaign. We had some amazing acts last year such as The Zutons and Hard-Fi but RoAR really takes off when it’s a Scots headliner....the Amy MacDonald show in Troon last year, for example, was a cracker as was Paolo Nutini in Kelso in 2006 . What an opportunity this is also, for a young unsigned Scottish act to open the show for Franz Ferdinand....we’re preparing for a deluge of entries and a really strong shortlist to go to the public vote in a few weeks’ time”


Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil, adds:

"The Rock Against Racism concerts are a fantastic opportunity to use icons and roles models to communicate to a young audience the value of living in a diverse and multicultural Scotland. The campaign continues to send out a strong message that racism is not acceptable in modern Scotland.
 
Previous RoAR campaigns have been a success and I have no doubt we can build on these achievements in the year ahead. In this our year of homecoming RoAR can help in creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for those who wish to join us in this inspirational celebration."