What to Expect

The Venue: Sun King Fishers

I can’t deny it—I’m a city guy. I cut my teeth at the original Sun King on College Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. Ah, but alas… success (and a clear vision) led to expansion and multiple locations. Hence, Sun King Fishers.

Sun King Fishers is located within The Yard at Fishers District. I didn’t want to like it—but I do. You know their beer: Pachanga, Sunlight Cream Ale, Wee Mac Scottish, Keller Haze IPA, and my very first Sun King experience, lo these many years ago—Osiris Pale Ale. If you’re coming for the beer, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re coming for the experience—ditto. Downstairs, there’s ample seating and a sit-at bar. For food, they’ve kicked things up a notch with their “Test Kitchen.” Recently, they partnered with Celebrity Chef Kelsey Murphy to introduce their Clutch Kitchen concept—pizza, wings, burgers, bowls, and other specialties.

Upstairs, where the music happens, is a really cool space. There’s another full bar, a ping-pong table, Golden Tee, and a fantastic outdoor veranda with games. It might be a bit trite to call it a suburban oasis… so I won’t. I’ll just say it’s a well-thought-out space that’s both functional and inviting.

My one piece of advice when visiting Sun King Fishers: if the band starts at 7, don’t swing by the nearby IKEA Fishers first. I tried that once and got lost in their corn maze of a showroom… but that might just be a me thing

The Band: Red-Tailed Hawk

When you see Red-Tailed Hawk, be prepared for a musical conversation. The heart and soul of the group, Steve Kennan, is a master musician, storyteller, and connector.

By the end of the show, he’ll know your name, your dog’s name, and whether you root for or against the Dodgers. That might be a slight exaggeration—but not much… he does know my dogs’ names ;)

Red-Tailed Hawk is a duo featuring Steve and the uber multi-talented Mark Berry. Steve handles vocals, acoustic and slide guitar, and harmonica. Mark gets more sound out of his cajón (a sit-on drum) than most people get out of a full kit, plays occasional bass, and adds strong vocal support.

They mix in a variety of covers you know with originals you’ll want to know. Whether it’s a cover or an original, you’ll feel Steve’s authenticity come through. He’s a California guy with an effortless way of bringing his life into his songs.

At a recent show, Steve reminded the audience how music connects all of us—and asked why we can’t carry that same joy into our lives outside the venue: “It’s not that hard to be kind to everyone.” Agreed, Steve… agreed.

But you haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a Steve Kennan “SOCIAL.” That’s Steve hoisting a beer, asking everyone to raise theirs and toast one another—“SOCIAL!” That, in a nutshell, is Red-Tailed Hawk.