Ratboys performing at the Sinclair on February 28, 2026. Photo by Wendy Schiller

Chicago indie darlings the Ratboys popped up at the Sinclair on the nicest day of the year so far, bringing more than just sunshine with their setlist. There was something springy and hopeful in the air of the room, despite some audio issues from Julia Steiner’s microphone. When the crowd couldn’t hear, they just sang for her, impressive considering the band played a majority of songs from their freshly released album, Singin’ to an Empty Chair. New tracks “Penny at the Lake” and “The World, so Madly” paired well with rarer set choices like “Go Outside.” After a shameless merch plug, the socks sold out almost instantly from their table. Steiner ended the night with an emotional statement to look out for our immigrant neighbors, much to the affirming cheers of the crowd.  

They were supported by the always-effervescent Florry. The completely magnetic alt-country project based out of Philly won the crowd over with new tracks off their latest album Sounds Like, including “First it was a Movie, then it was a Book,” and “Truck Flipped Over ‘19.” 

Check out Wendy’s photo from the show below.