Hartlepool band Para Alta set for comeback concert in town after reuniting for friend’s wedding

A band are set to play in their hometown for the first time since 2019 as members return from as far away as Australia.
By Pamela Bilalova
Published 15th Sep 2023, 04:45 BST
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Para Alta will be taking to the stage at the Town Hall, in Raby Road, four years after a “bitter-sweet” farewell gig at the same venue.

The indie band was founded in 2010 with the group landing a record deal and moving to London in 2017 before splitting two years later.

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Now band members and friends Tom Sotheran (drums), Luke Cowley (guitar), Sonny Williamson (bass), Jonny Bee (vocals, guitar), all 29, are set to return to the stage and perform some new music at a one-off come back concert on Saturday, September 23.

From left to right: Para Alta band members Luke Cowley (guitar), Sonny Williamson (bass), Jonny Bee (vocals, guitar) and Tom Sotheran (drums) are set for a comeback concert in Hartlepool./Photo: Lily HendersonFrom left to right: Para Alta band members Luke Cowley (guitar), Sonny Williamson (bass), Jonny Bee (vocals, guitar) and Tom Sotheran (drums) are set for a comeback concert in Hartlepool./Photo: Lily Henderson
From left to right: Para Alta band members Luke Cowley (guitar), Sonny Williamson (bass), Jonny Bee (vocals, guitar) and Tom Sotheran (drums) are set for a comeback concert in Hartlepool./Photo: Lily Henderson

Luke said: "We are really looking forward to the gig. It’s a big venue so it would be great to pack it out. Ticket sales have been pretty awesome so far.”

The band “hadn’t been in the same room” since the farewell gig in 2019, with Luke and Jonny remaining in London, Sonny moving to Australia and Tom getting back to Hartlepool.

But they were reunited thanks to the upcoming wedding of best friend and former band member Grant Shears, also from Hartlepool.

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“Myself and Sonny are best men at the wedding and Jonny and Tom are groomsmen,” Luke said.

"Sonny is back for three months leading up to the wedding, so we had a conversation, maybe we should have a little play together in a room and that turned into ‘Why don’t we do a little show?’. Then the little show turned into another big one.”

He added: “The best part about doing a comeback is hanging out again. We actually hadn’t been in the same room together since the farewell gig.

“It was really nice mending the bridges and seeing each other.”

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The band performed a secret set at the Deep North festival in Hartlepool at the end of August and have written some new music.

“We’re not entirely sure what the future holds. We are hopeful that we can record some new music and then we’ll see,” Luke said.

The Para Alta Comeback show, with opening acts Max Bianco and Mercedes, will take place from 7pm at Hartlepool Town Hall on Saturday, September 23.

For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/paraaltacomeback

Related topics:HartlepoolAustraliaTown Hall