Ratboys

Ratboys bring their Chicago-bred indie rock to Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds on 22 May 2026, touring around Singin’ to an Empty Chair, their forthcoming album. The four-piece leans into twang and bright, melodic guitars, mêlant indie rock direct, traces of emo, bursts of power pop and a light alt-country sway. At the center is Julia Steiner’s clear voice and guitar, in dialogue with Dave Sagan’s lines, while the rhythm section drives the set with tight, flexible grooves. On stage, the band moves with ease from slow-burning ballads to punchier songs, keeping the focus on interplay and melody.

Formed in the early 2010s, Ratboys have evolved from an intimate, folk-leaning project into a fuller electric outfit. AOID and GN laid the groundwork with clean guitars and plainspoken writing; Printer’s Devil sharpened the arrangements; The Window (2023) distilled the cohesion built on the road. In Leeds, expect new cuts from Singin’ to an Empty Chair woven in with tracks from The Window, GN and earlier releases—lyrics circling memory, movement and everyday ties, carried by interlocking guitars, steady dynamics and clear hooks.