A fantastic night in Newport, Nov 2019. A new incarnation of the ever shifting Hill Bandits – The HillPorts. The amazing Lily Gray taking on the singing and stunning the room with her beautiful voice. With Lily and the cream of Newport’s musicians making up the band I reckon no-one noticed my ham-fisted guitar thumping. A welcome relief.
(Photo: Jayne Cox).
#newportrising — with left to right Smartie Vader, Kevin Lycett, Dave Corten, Lily Gray, Matthew Gray and Dave Cox.
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Hill Bandits to Hill Scouts and beyond
Since the departure of Fiona in 2018 the Hill Bandits have been in flux. The release of 6 new tracks (recorded mixed and raring to go) had to be abandoned, along with a slew of major festival appearances and gigs in the summer of 2018.
Since then Kevin has continued writing and there have been some low key performances. Helped out by half of the wonderful Esper Scout, with Sarah singing, guitar, and percussion, and Reb on bass and vocals. We worked under the name of Hill Scouts. But Sarah is so busy with so many projects that it came to a close – far too soon.
Our most recent incarnation has been Hillport, a band drawn from some of Newport’s Finest musicians. We came together to perform new material Kevin wrote for a memorial performance for the 180th anniversary of the Chartist uprising in Newport, November 2019. The band were amazing and Lily Gray, who took on the vocals was simply stunning.
The Big Send Off Leeds
We had a very cold but lovely gig Friday 27 Oct at the Big Send Off in Leeds. We were joined by the great Sarah Statham of Esper Scout who sat in on the drums at the last moment, with no rehearsal and did a right grand job.
There was a great line up of talent, huge variety and all top stuff.
Just got to get rid of this cold now.
Cloth Cat at the Chemic
We had a great night playing at the Cloth Cat gig at the Chemic in Leeds. Cloth Cat do amazing work and it’s always a pleasure to play one of their events.
Evening With Caroline Lucas
We’re really excited to be playing supporting Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP, this Friday, 1st Sept 2017 at Victoria Hall, Saltaire. If you want to come best get a ticket soon as it’s nearly sold out.
Mekonville
LS6 Cafe gig Sun Jul 16th

Fiona & Kevin June 2017
We’ll be playing LS6 Cafe, Hyde Park, Leeds Sunday lunchtime 12-1pm, on July 16th 2017. This will the first outing for the full line up, with both Dave Bowie Jr and Richard Ormrod playing and we’re really looking forward to it.
New recruits

Dave Bowie Jnr.
We’re made up to welcome Dave Bowie Junior on bass and Richard Ormrod on drums to our number.
They are both incredibly busy musicians, gigging with more bands than we can even remember so we’re really lucky to have them join us. (Even if they can’t always make the gigs…).
Eiger Studios gig
Eiger Studios 10th Birthday
We’re really chuffed to have been asked to play at Eiger Studios 10th birthday on May 6th 2017.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1848766822027905/