Kicking off the start of their UK leg, INHALER headlined a sold-out show of 2,300 people at the o2 Academy in Leeds!
With doors opening at 7pm, it was an energetic arrival from anticipating fans. Crowds quickly pooled in hoping to get a good view of the stage, with merch booths located by the entrance, the lobby became full of excitement. Loud murmurs and elevated conversations paralleled the background playlist flowing through the venue’s speakers, as the crowd waited for the first performing act of the night.
GUEST LIST was the first to take to the stage at 7:15pm. Their performance warmed up the crowd for the main act, bringing a collection of songs to their set perfect to sway and sing along to. With loud hoots and chants of encouragement from a passionate fan situated on the balcony; accompanying their performance, GUEST LIST have proven why they were chosen to join the Irish quartet on the road.
GURRIERS, beginning at 8pm, were next to welcome the crowd, spread out evenly along the stage their presence demanded attention. Jumping along to the entryway of their choruses, the band brought an enticing energy to their set. From their bassist Charlie jumping to the other side of barriers, joining the crowd in the pit for a song, to their lead singer Dan leaning over the barricade to encourage fans to sing along, GURRIERS definitely know how to charm a crowd.
Strutting onto the stage with wide smiles and embracing waves, INHALER introduced a new walk-out song to a lively crowd of avid fans. Kicking off their set with ‘My Honest Face’, the crowd were taken by surprise and quickly began to thrash around as the band launched themselves into the 90-minute set they’d been waiting all day for. With a fluid mixture of their three albums, INHALER brought an addictive energy that fuelled the crowd’s enthusiasm. Lead singer, Elijah Hewson, had the gathering of individuals in the palm of his hands, with playful smirks and provoking nods of his head, the crowd gripped onto every word he uttered.
Showcasing true musicality, INHALER demanded your focus. With Robert Keating, clad in dark sunglasses, introducing ‘Who’s Your Money On?’ through the appraisal of their drummer Ryan Mcmahon who was situated near the curtain hanging on stage, the crowd began to jump in time with the kick drum, loudly chanting in an uplifting effort. ‘My King Will Be Kind’, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, and ‘Dublin In Ecstasy’ are true fan favourites, every show dedicated fans will sing every lyric proudly, and dance energetically to convey appreciation towards the band. The guitar instrumentals from Josh Jenkinson and Elijah Hewson throughout the night showcased their guitar-pop-driven sound, with isolated guitar solos and impactful riffs, the night was truly a depiction of INHALER’s creative musical ability to turn imagery into resonance.
Performing songs released that day, the crowd danced around to the fresh sound. Songs such as ‘Eddie in the Darkness’, ‘Little Things’, and ‘X-Ray’ recieved a reaction of amazement. The title track surrounding the tour, ‘Open Wide’, had Hewson raising his arms in time to their lyrics, with the crowd mirroring his expressions and movements in admiration. Closing out the night with ‘Your House’, the joyousness encapsulates the venue, a bittersweet feeling settling amongst the gig-goers, with an understanding that the night of harmony is soon coming to an end.
You can catch Inhaler at the O2 Apollo closing their tour or for a more intimate experience at the Leadmill in April!
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