DUBLIN quartet Inhaler is one of the music scene’s hottest tickets and played a sold-out Leeds’ O2 Academy for its only Yorkshire date on the opening night of its UK and Europe tour.
The date also marked the release of the band’s eagerly awaited third album, Open Wide, a record produced by the Brit and Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon and which reinforced the band’s reputation as the ultimate modern guitar band.
Having formed at school in their teens, lead singer Elijah Hewson ignored the advice of his father (U2’s Bono) to go to university, instead gigging with guitarist Josh Jenkinson, bassist Robert Keating and drummer Ryan McMahon as they felt their way in the Dublin music scene.
Inhaler formally launched their music career in 2018 and continued to do the hard yards throughout the following years with relentless touring across the globe, honing their craft and built a devoted fan base along the way.
The band’s journey has also included supporting the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Pearl Jam, Harry Styles, and Kings of Leon.
Inhaler at O2 Academy, Leeds – photo by Lewis Evans
Inhaler first played Leeds in 2019, performing at the iconic Brudenell Social Club some two years before their lockdown-delayed debut album release. The The 2025 show launched a largely sold out 11-date tour which will take in scaled-up venues including two nights at London’s Brixton Academy before returning to play headline at Dublin’s 20,000-capacity St Anne’s Park.
Inhaler opened proceedings with the excellent My Honest Face from the 2021 album It Won’t Always Be Like This, an album which reached number 1 in the UK, their 2023 follow-up Cuts & Bruises reaching number 2 while topping Irish charts.
They breezed effortlessly through their 17-strong set with sweeping, euphoric singalongs from their first two albums blended perfectly with half a dozen tracks from their latest release.
The gig’s offering feels confident and self-assured, their newest tracks reflecting the band’s love of T Rex, early MGMT, Prince and Depeche Mode with a sound which nestles alongside the indie and garage-rock influences of their teens. Eighties pop grooves shone through on Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah) whilst A Question of You provides a stomping indie epic. Adventurous art-rock is evident in X-Ray alongside the melodic garage sound of Little Things.
There was much adulation in the building as the crowd welcomed Inhaler for their encore which opened with the immense, panoramic album title track Open Wide followed by the wonderful It Won’t Always Be Like This before closing with the playful glam-pop Your House.
Inhaler is a special band destined for greater things; their traditional approach, soaring songs and the beautiful vocals of Hewson setting them apart and capturing the imagination with a sound which soothes the soul.
Review by Gareth John
Photos by Lewis Evans
