Ratboys - When the Sun Explodes Tour 2026

Ratboys have been a fixture of the Chicago indie-rock scene since their debut AOID (2015). At the center are vocalist and guitarist Julia Steiner and guitarist David Sagan, whose songs oscillate between quiet observation and direct guitar-driven momentum. With Singin’ to an Empty Chair the band presents eleven new tracks that merge power pop, Americana and guitar-led indie. The sound favors warmth and clarity, with melodic hook lines, open chords and a percussive drive that supports the lyrics.

On 13 May 2026 Ratboys will bring this blend to the Kantine at Berghain in Berlin. Live they interweave the new material with songs from AOID, GN, Printer’s Devil and The Window. Steiner’s voice sits distinctly up front while Sagan’s guitars move between delicate arpeggios and angular riffs; bass and drums keep the drive tight and focused. Over the years the initial folk blueprint has evolved into a more direct band sound that reads on stage as clear and intimate, without losing the quiet melancholy of their early pieces.