Toting a sound that is cool yet tight and hardcore, Inhaler’s music earnestly throws indie rock back in the face of their audience. The front man, Eli Hewson, is the perfect mix of the swagger of Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner and the suave persona of Elvis, bringing together rock and roll’s many facets into one performance.
The band returned to play another show promoting their Cuts and Bruises album as they wrapped up their tour to take a lengthy break from being on the road. The set list was similar to that of their previous show, showcasing songs from both Cuts and Bruises and It Won’t Always Be Like This, their first studio album from 2021.
Inhaler used intricate guitar riffs and pounding drums to fill any space they play. Their music turned a scattered group of strangers into a well-acquainted mosh pit of energy. The crowd at the Sept. 8th show ranged in age from groups of teenage friends to middle-aged couples, all of them going just as hard as the person standing next to them. Energy buzzed from each audience member to the next and when one person started to dance, the people standing next to them had no choice but to join it, creating an involuntary groove.
Initially formed in 2012 in Ireland, Inhaler consists of four members: Eli Hewson (vocals and guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass) and Ryan McMahon (drums). Known for their alternative and indie rock sound, Inhaler has played all over the UK, Europe and North America since releasing their first single “I Want You” in 2017.
On Sept. 8th, the band returned to Toronto to play at History after a brief six-month departure, with their last Toronto show having played on March 21st. Since playing at The Mod Club Theatre in 2019, the band has returned three other times to the Queen City and each time, the venue size has increased. The last time the band was in Toronto, they played at The Danforth Music Hall, a venue that can hold up to 1,500 people. In just six months, they’ve made the upgrade to History, a venue that can hold almost double that amount.
Starting with crowd-pleaser “These Are the Days”, the band brought a new level of energy to their vibrant sound. Rolling over the crowd, the groove moved methodically, never rushing unnecessarily or overtaking Hewson and his raspy croon.
Deeper into the set list, “Cheer Up Baby” and “My King Will Be Kind” saw Jenkinson’s pushy guitar complimenting McMahon’s rash drumbeat. The crowd was suddenly pulled in as if they were participating in an intimate preview rather than a 2,000-person concert. Keating’s bass, while almost forgotten under the populated sound of the whining guitar and snare hits, kept the whole thing standing; his uninterested stare drawing intrigue.
While the band’s setlist consisted mostly of singles and their greatest hits, it kept the audience engaged and never let the energy slip. Wrapping up with a hard-hitting encore of “Just to Keep You Satisfied” and “My Honest Face”, the band stepped off-stage with a look of purpose and genuine gratitude.
Eli Hewson may be the nepotism baby of rock and roll, but he and Inhaler certainly don’t lack in quality as a result.