ANNOUNCE UK HEADLINE TOUR THIS MAY
INCLUDES THEIR BIGGEST EVER SHOW AT
O2 ACADEMY LIVERPOOL
“Classic indie guitar lines, soaring vocals and massive personality.” – Radio X
“Catchy melodies, vocals that’ll give you goosebumps and a proper force live.” – Gigwise
“I’m predicting big things for Liverpool band RATS.” – Daily Mirror
“You sense that this is a band with a brilliant future.” – Louder Than War
“A refreshing combination of stage presence, attitude, and snappy, yet melodic tracks.” –
Northern Exposure
“RATS really are an exemplary indie band with a twist.” – Atwood Magazine
Have built an enviable reputation as one of the UK’s most incendiary rising bands following shows with the likes of Liam Gallagher, DMA’s and Dylan John Thomas, Liverpool’s RATS now announce details of their first headline tour of 2024. The tour includes their biggest ever show to date, a 1200-capacity homecoming at the O2 Academy Liverpool, and also represents their first run of headline gigs as a five-piece following the recent addition of new guitarist Chris Carragher, the brother of bassist Lowell.
In addition, RATS’ summer festival schedule is taking shape with Kendal Calling, Y NOT? and Victorious already confirmed – expect more to be announced soon.
Frontman Joe Maddocks says, “You’ve been waiting and so have we! we’ve been making loads of new music and were itching to get out there and show the people our thing.”
RATS have spent much of their recent time working on brand new material, much of which will be released as 2024 unfolds. Working extensively with producer Chris Taylor (The Lathums, Blossoms, Red Rum Club), RATS’ upcoming music radically expands upon the sonic palette of their previous fan favourites such as ‘Patsy Decline’, ‘Weekend’ and ‘Figure It Out’. Now their songs – full of wit and social commentary about the issues which young adults face across the UK – merge touchpoints from indie, dub and hip-hop into their sound, with influences such as The Stone Roses, The Specials, The Streets, Sublime, The Coral, Bob Marley and The Zutons.
Completed by Michael Duncalf (lead guitar) and Alan Phillips (drums), RATS were formed in the Shewsy youth club in Liverpool, a place where they could escape teenage mischief and instead lose themselves within countless hours of writing and rehearsing. Their early independent releases have attracted airplay from Radio X, BBC Music Introducing and Amazing Radio while other notable live moments have included support shows with The Specials, Happy Mondays and The K’s plus festivals such as Truck, Splendour and The Gathering.
RATS’ upcoming shows are below – tickets for all headline dates are now on sale.
MAY – HEADLINE TOUR
2nd – Stoke, The Sugarmill Tickets
3rd – Huddersfield, The Parish Tickets
9th – London, The Lower Third Tickets
17th – Liverpool, O2 Academy Tickets
23rd – Glasgow, Broadcast Tickets
24th – Newcastle, Think Tank? Tickets
AUGUST
1st-4th – Kendal Calling
2nd – Y NOT? Festival
23rd – Victorious Festival
