It was the turn of the O2 Empire in Shepherd’s Bush to host indie rock ladder-climbers Inhaler on Wednesday evening, fresh from a successful European run and in celebration of their 2023 sophomore album, Cuts & Bruises.
Genre fanatics of all ages piled into the 2000 capacity venue and filled out the room to all four corners, indicating the swell in popularity that the group has experienced after another year of awe-inspiring success so early in their career. The set kicked off with top track “These Are The Days,” perfectly paced to establish the high-energy hour and a half to follow. Never have the lyrics “don’t wanna feel a thing, just wanna hear you scream” felt so apt, as the crowd erupted with excitement at the arrival of the band, headed up by lead singer Elijah Hewson, himself born to rock royalty Bono.
Hewson oozed star quality as the show progressed, backed by his four close friends to form an above all extremely talented young collective. At only 24, he occupies the stage with a sense of confidence and flair that can only be described as innate, as if chattering to adoring fans who are hanging onto his every word comes naturally. The crowd themselves even responded to such a warm welcome with their own celebratory chant for ‘Bobby Skeetz’ (bassist Robert Keating), who graciously accepted the high praise. Still, the four members kept interjections between songs brief, likely to let the music speak for itself.
Boy, did they succeed. Enrapturing every single audience member from the opening all the way through, with headbanging hits such as “When It Breaks” and “Love Will Get You There,” the spirit of the crowd never dropped. When Hewson encouraged fans to open a pit during the closing song of the main set, the stirring, anthemic, album-titling “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” the stalls became a dance floor, and those who had been queuing all day to see their idols were only too happy to oblige.
By the time the band’s runaway track, “My Honest Face,”, rolled around, everyone was devastated to see the back of an evening of thoroughly good music. Inhaler brought young women making their first foray into soft rock together alongside seasoned aficionados and were a sight to behold. Closing out three nights in London this week at three of the most iconic venues across the city, it is hard not to feel as if the world is witnessing the birth of a truly enduring rock band that will light up stages with inspiring tunes for decades to come.
Catch Inhaler at one of the final dates on their European tour, ahead of supporting Blossoms in Manchester next year.
Monday 6 November – Barrowland – Glasgow
Tuesday 7 November – Barrowland – Glasgow
Thursday 9 November – Ulster Hall – Belfast
Saturday 11 November – 3Arena – Dublin
