W: Jack Sanderson

Park View is a five-piece outfit cutting their teeth in the heart of Newcastle’s music scene—the Ouseburn. Comprising frontman Alfie Kelly, bassist Laura Kearns, drummer Tom Davys, and guitarists Lewis Nicholson and Alex Potter, the band’s identity is deeply rooted in their North East origins. Their name is a double-edged tribute, nodding to both the main street in Whitley Bay and the Newcastle University accommodation where the group first found its feet. After a suggestion from their mate Ken, the name stuck, and they’ve been carving out their space in the local scene ever since.

Their sound is a deliberate collision of influences, bringing together the noise and aggression of 80s and 90s alternative indie—think The Smashing Pumpkins and Pixies—with the precise, direct songwriting of classic bands like The Strokes and The Replacements. While the Newcastle scene is currently teeming with talent, Park View believes they occupy a unique middle ground. While some bands excel at being loud and angry and others focus on tight vocals, Park View prides themselves on mastering both, pushing each other creatively to ensure every song is served by the best possible performances.

The road hasn't always been smooth, as the band navigated an extensive line-up change in May ‘25. Refusing to call it quits, Alfie and the original crew went on the hunt for new talent, eventually recruiting school-friend Lewis and university mates Laura and Tom. This new energy has streamlined their creative process; typically, one member brings in a core riff—as Laura did with the bassline for their latest track—and the group fleshes it out together before finalizing the lyrics and melody. This collaborative drive has turned their greatest potential weakness—the pacing and space between songs—into a focus for constant improvement.

Their latest single, "She Doesn’t Know," serves as a signpost for their direction in 2026. The track explores the frustration of miscommunication and the words we leave unsaid, featuring shimmering guitars that explode into a high-energy, sing-along chorus. It’s a bold stamp on the scene from a band that remains refreshingly grounded. Their pre-show routine is a simple "rock up and play" affair, though drummer Tom is known for his signature "brutal nap and cold shower" treatment, and the group jokes that their only future "diva demand" would be an unlimited supply of Pepsi Max. With more music on the horizon and a dream of working with the legendary (and barefoot) Rick Rubin, Park View is just getting started.

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