Ratboys Bring Singin’ to an Empty Chair to Charlotte
The Chicago band Ratboys arrives at Visulite Theatre on October 21, 2026, with Smidley opening. It is an opportunity to hear a group whose new record puts a difficult conversation at the center of its songwriting.
The story behind the album
Singin’ to an Empty Chair, Ratboys’ sixth studio album and first for New West Records, followed 2023’s The Window. Singer and guitarist Julia Steiner has described writing toward an estranged loved one, using the idea of an absent person in a chair as a way to address what had gone unsaid. The band reunited with co-producer Chris Walla and recorded in Wisconsin and Chicago. The result moves between power pop, country textures and extended guitar passages; the songs make room for both direct feeling and the full band's energy.
Smidley is the project of Conor Murphy, also known for Foxing. The venue's artist background connects Smidley's recent Murphy Horse to personal change and his ensemble's wider sound. This pairing puts two distinct approaches to intimate writing on the same stage.
The Charlotte date
Doors are listed for 7 p.m., with the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are sold through the Visulite event page, which also carries the current age policy and price. Follow Ratboys, Smidley, and the venue for updates. QCB's October guide places the show among the month's other music, fashion and arts events.
Preview published September 27, 2026, from artist, label and venue material. This is advance coverage, not a review of a performance that has not happened.
