Some concerts overwhelm you with spectacle. Others win you over in quieter ways. A show by Ratboys tends to fall firmly in the latter category.
Leaning into a style that sits comfortably between indie rock, alt-country and jangly college rock, the Chicago band has spent more than a decade building a reputation the old fashioned way: steady touring, strong songwriting, and a sense that the musicians on stage genuinely enjoy playing together. That spirit was readily apparent at Terminal West for a crowd of roughly 500.
The flow never seemed rushed. Instead they allow songs to stretch, breathe, and build, sometimes leaning into long instrumental passages that highlight their chemistry as players. Singer and guitarist Julia Steiner’s voice carries a slightly fragile clarity that cuts through the band’s guitars, well suited to songs about relationships, memory, and personal uncertainty.
On that point, Steiner was effusive about her appreciation for their new label, Athens’ New West records, and their new album, Singin’ to an Empty Chair, from which they played almost every song. About the album, Steiner has said the title comes from the therapeutic value of talking to an imaginary person sitting in an empty chair to process things difficult and left unspoken.
As introspective or as observational as that may be, when the songs demand it, they’re ready to rock. Guitarist Dave Sagan in particular adds a spark, threading sharp leads through the band’s warm, slightly twangy indie sound. This particular evening, his contributions to the set closer, “Burn It Down,” showcased the talent and energy that the band can bring. Like many artists, Ratboys are a band whose songs benefit from being heard live.
Setlist:
Encore:
Florry, from Philadelphia, opened the evening. Featuring a violin, pedal steel, bass, drums and two guitarists, the identifies as alt-country but leans heavily into some adjacent, as yet unlabeled, space. A brief pre-show chat with singer/guitarist Francie Medosch revealed she lives and thrives in Burlington, VT, and we touched on the band’s opening for the Drive-by Truckers “Homecoming” a month ago at Athens’ 40 Watt Club. Turns out she and Patterson Hood spent a day together talking about music and both favor The Roches.
My concert buddy arrived already a fan of the band, and particularly Francie and sock-footed drummer Joey Sullivan, who pounds the drums. When the band gets rocking, like on the closer “First it was a movie…” the band takes off, particularly with Francie wandering the stage and a sound that my friend reckoned as “blissful chaos.”
I can’t disagree!
Setlist:
