Red Kite Crow Fight impressed the audience at Kennedy’s on Sunday 27 July.

By Miles Salter

The five piece band from York dwell on blues material, giving the old genre a sheen that felt fresh and exciting. There were several reasons for this: they didn’t do the ‘same old’ covers that bands play in pubs (Sex On Fire, Teenage Kicks etc etc) and bravely stamped their own identity on the set.

They also had a wonderful two-piece brass section which provided soul and swing.

Billy Hickling, York’s most infectious drummer, always livens up every gig he plays at. Billy previously toured with the percussion show Stomp! and you never see him looking like he can’t be bothered. He was joined by family members Mick Hickling (trumpet), and Alfred Hickling (saxophone), both of whom played with Billy in King Courgette.

The band are completed by Alix McGrath on bass and Si McGrath on vocals and guitar. Si’s songs are very good, although he does need to hoist up the microphone a little more for clarity. The band stomped and swayed through its bluesy set, including a Willie Dixon number and a number of Si’s songs, which he adorned with excellent finger picking on the guitar.

The brass section were gorgeous. In fact, I didn’t want them to trade for other instruments. What a good band! Look out for Red Kite Crow Fight – bravely going against the flow and unafraid to do their own thing. Recommended.

Red Kite Crow Fight played at Kennedy’s, York on Sunday 27 July 2025.