Inhaler — Concert Reviews // — On the Flipside Music

By Jessica Klausing

Alternative rockers Inhaler turned The Belasco theater into a massive dance party with an hour long set chalked full of rollicking guitar hooks and bold lyrical confessions. For two nights in a row, music fans of all ages crowded into the venue eager to see the Dublin quartet; Ryan McMahon (drums), Robert Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (guitarist), and Eli Hewson (lead vocals).

The band opened with their album title track “It Won’t Always Be Like This” to the deafening screams of mostly teenage girls. It’s very easy to see why. Eli Hewson has a strong vocal prowess and a commanding stage presence. My eyes were glued to the frontman as he sauntered from one side of the stage to the other belting out, “You’re in my head/It won’t always be like this/be like this/I’m dead, honey, I’ll be dead/It won’t always be like this.” Hewson is well known among the U2 fans for being Bono’s son. Right away you’ll notice the family resemblance as both frontmen are talented and extremely charming, but Hewson does not need to stand in his father’s shadow for attention. Inhaler proudly proves they can stand out on their own with their fresh, hip alternative energy.

The dance party continued with “We Have to Move On” and then slowing down for “Slide Out the Window.” The tempo picked right back up for the 2019 single, “Ice Cream Sundae” but it was “A Night on the Floor” that was the fan favorite of the night. Multi colored strobe lights flashed like a rave. As I looked around, I noticed every single person in the venue was jumping up and down in joy or dancing without a care in the world to this tune. The energy was so infectious that I found myself bouncing around like a jack rabbit too.

While the music is catchy, many of the songs focus on relationship issues and inner struggles. “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)” mourns a failed relationship with, “This plastic house ain’t built to last/Things are just like they always are/We melt like ice in your hands.” The next song “My King Will Be Kind” was a punch to the gut with the angsty, “She says I’ve got no love/I fuckin’ hate that bitch.”

The band closed out the show with two hard hitters, “Cheer Up Baby” and “My Honest Face.” Once the show was over, we all filed out of the venue, flushed faced and exhausted from dancing. I can’t remember the last time that I danced so hard at a concert! Inhaler brings a refreshingly new sound into the indie rock genre that has been lacking for a while. They are such a fun band to see live.

SETLIST:
It Won’t Always Be Like This
We Have to Move On
Slide Out the Window
Ice Cream Sundae
When It Breaks
A Night on the Floor
Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)
My King Will Be Kind
Totally
In My Sleep
Cheer Up Baby
My Honest Face