Live Review: Inhaler - O2 Academy Brixton, London 13/02/2025
Dublin band Inhaler offer more than a shred of light in the middle of the winter blues, as they kick off the first of two sold-out nights at Brixton Academy on Thursday.
Brixton Academy, one of London’s best-loved venues, saw queues forming around three street corners for Dublin’s finest, Inhaler, on Thursday night. It was the first of the band’s two sold-out gigs at the iconic London location. For those who haven’t been there, Brixton Academy resembles that of an old theatre, perhaps even an old church. High ceilings, large staircases, gold pillars, statues resembling religious figures lining the walls, their all-seeing eyes watching the gig-goers below. It has all of the structure and energy to be considered a place of worship, and for music lovers, that’s exactly what it is. And standing in the queue on a cold, February evening, it was very clear who people were there to worship that night.
For a solid hour and a half, the Dublin quartet made putting on a good show look easy, effortless. It was in their nature, they didn’t have to think about it, they just did it. And visibly enjoyed themselves while doing so. Their latest album Open Wide was released less than a week ago, but that didn’t stop fans sang along word-for-word with all of the new tracks Inhaler played during their 18-song set, which also contained a mix of tracks from previous albums, It Won’t Always Be Like This and Cuts & Bruises.
Before Inhaler, however, fellow Dublin-based punk band Gurriers, who are not long off the road from their own tour debuting their first album, Come And See, kicked the evening off. These lads are a pure force to be reckoned with, exuding endless energy from the moment they step onto the stage until the moment they walk back off. Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You begins to play and the five-piece are welcomed on by a loud chorus of “I love you baby” coming from the crowd before they break into the first track of the night, Nausea. It’s heavy, it’s loud, it's a punch to the gut in the best way possible. An ideal song to warm up a crowd who are clearly already raring to go.
Gurriers are known for interacting with their crowd, and the size of the current audience doesn’t seem to intimidate or put them off in the slightest. Lead Vocalist, Dan Hoff, steps up multiple times, only a barrier separating him from thousands of reaching hands. Whilst most impressive is bassist Charlie McCarthy, who throws himself straight into the middle of the heaving pit for the bridge of Des Goblin. It is no easy swarm of people to infiltrate, never mind continuing to play an instrument while doing so, and it looks even harder to escape. Charlie makes it look easy. Hoff stands not too far behind him, building the crowd up, “those concrete eyes they watch me”, the energy he holds seeping further into the crowd, building them up for Inhaler’s imminent arrival. Their set is relentless, fast, a whirlwind of drums, guitar riffs and riled-up vocals. They ease up only briefly, offering the crowd a moment of respite during their track Top Of The Bill, which is perhaps the closest thing to a ballad that you’re going to get with Gurriers. They don’t drop the ball for a second, putting on a show is second nature to these boys, as thousands of bodies start jumping up and down the moment Sign Of The Times starts. The crowd are ready, they’re loose, they’ve become well acquainted with their neighbours by the time Gurriers walk off stage.
There’s a buzz in the air, a hum, as people wait for the main act to appear, and they’re punctual, appearing on stage bang on 9pm. The roar of the crowd, which is already loud, goes up an octave as Eli Hewson, Josh Jenkinson, Robert Keating, and Ryan McMahon of Inhaler stroll out onto the stage, cool as anything. The four-piece appear to be holding nothing back, prepared to give everything they’ve got to their devout audience and they start as they mean to go on, bringing My Honest Face to the front of the queue. A strong start, the crowd are immediately moving, their vocals almost overpowering Hewson’s as they sing along. There’s a sense of pure joy in the room, it’s reached the Academy’s ridiculously high ceilings already…and we’ve only just begun.
Eddie In The Darkness and A Question Of You follow, both heavy with the potential to become indie classics. The crowd’s reaction is proof that Open Wide has already cemented itself into the hearts of Inhaler’s fans, despite being released less than a week ago. The crowd don’t let up with their backing vocals, not even once. And when we’re swept back to 2021, with tracks Totally and When It Breaks from their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This, bodies are swaying with reckless abandon, silent prayers are being sent up, wishing it COULD always be like this exact moment.
Little Things, which closes out the latest album, is a bone rattler of a song live. A fiery energy seeps out of every crevice of the band during this track, they’re pouring it into the crowd below. This performance is a statement, Inhaler are exactly where they have always meant to be. They’re on the alter, and the people below are soaking up everything they’re being given.
Tricolour lights flood the stage, least the crowd forget where exactly this band hails from, as Dublin in Ecstasy starts - Hewson’s raw vocals blending seamlessly with his and Jenkinson’s guitars, McMahon’s drums, Keating’s bass and the final, necessary touch of Louis Lambert’s keys. The crowd well and truly are “dancing to a tune” and when the quick step beat of Love Will Get You There starts and Hewson sings “I’m feeling so alive”, the statement rings true for everyone in the room.
The band start to close out their set with their beloved Cheer Up Baby, and the crowd goes wild, pouring everything they’ve got out, back towards the Dubliners. And whilst they may be on the alter, the genuine care and appreciation towards their fans is immediately evident when they stop midway through their final song to alert security to someone in trouble in the middle of the pit. There’s a pause, the band refusing to continue until they are happy the gig-goer is okay and safe. As they pick back up from where they left off, the air feels heavy, emotional perhaps. Hewson had mentioned earlier “London, it’s a big night for us” and it feels it. There are equal levels of respect, appreciation, and gratefulness between both the band and their listeners.
When they come back for the encore, playing their title track Open Wide, there are people embracing each other throughout the venue, “arms out open wide.” The energy is electric, heart-stopping, precious. The crowd know they have been privy to something bigger than them all, something rare, pure magic. As Inhaler close the night out with Your House, it no longer feels as if we are in such a big space. Everyone feels much closer, the crowd and the band. It’s exhilaration, it’s hope, it’s joy.
Words by Angela English
Photo credit: Lewis Evans
