Inhaler @ The Roundhouse

Alex Gafney
Oct 30, 2022
6 min read

Wednesday 19th October, 2022

Foreword and Tour Album Images by Emma Bowen/Yuzhu Qin/Georgia Herbert

Words by Alex Gafney

Images by Alex Gafney

Hello Lucid Dreamers! Long time no see! For the past week or so, I've been up and down the country following my beloved Dublin asthmatics 'Inhaler' on tour for the fourth time, on this occasion, blessed with a support from my new favourite punk band 'STONE' from Liverpool who I discovered about 5 months ago. Having first come across Inhaler this time last year on their UK tour of their debut album 'It Won't Always Be Like This', I've since seen them 27 times, including 10 dates across their European tour earlier this year. They're the band that got me into the live music scene and if it wasn't for them, I can guarantee my life would be completely different now, so I definitely have a lot to thank them for.

We started out this tour with an intimate show at Network in Sheffield, a £5 charity gig in partnership with the charity 'Mind'. It was 6pm the day before the show. I was on the tube through London on my way to catch The Clockworks performance at Electrowerkz in Islington before the Inhaler tour started. With my rucksack at my feet, and that pre-show adrenaline rushing through my body, I was trying desperately to catch their new track and interview live on BBC Sounds, although this proved rather challenging with the lack of WiFi between tube stations. Finally arriving at Victoria Coach Station at about 1am, I had 'Love Will Get You There' blasting on repeat throughout the whole 6 hour journey in an attempt to memorise all the lyrics before their first show. Although the events later that evening would prove my attempt rather unsuccessful. But by their finale at the Roundhouse, I had every lyric nailed. Including the chorus of STONE's new track 'Money (Hope Ain't Gone)'.

After the long night coach from London. and nearly 12 hours in the queue, seeing them walk out onstage again after a 3 month break was euphoric. Although this time, things were a little different. With a shorter set and a changed opening track, I could sense the ending of the iconic 'IWABLT' era as they teased the new tracks from their second album 'Cuts and Bruises' released February next year. I was equally as excited for the opening set from Liverpools finest - STONE. After seeing them 3 times before this, it was my dream line-up, and they certainly did not disappoint on this tour. We were lucky enough to have a catch-up with Eli and Ryan after the show, as they very generously stayed out for over an hour to chat to fans after the gig, and also meet STONEs frontman - Fin Power. We then made our way to Manchester the next day; After a few drinks, we threw ourselves into the mosh pits and had an adrenaline packed night. We noticed that they've now started to introduce an encore into their performances, showcasing one of their unreleased songs - 'If You're Gonna Break My Heart'. We then continued on to a barrier show at Glasgow, a sweaty mosh pit at their intimate Southampton show and then finishing off with the grand finale at their Roundhouse show. Check out my tour album below! Including some iconic Luciiio shots from their first ever Inhaler tour...

Now I'm very excited to introduce my angel - Alex Gafney - who I actually met at my very first Inhaler show in London this time last year! We're very honoured to have her as a guest writer and photographer on A Lucid Dream, and today she's written a beautiful piece about her experience at the Roundhouse show! Enjoy..

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After Inhaler's breakthrough rise of popularity in 2021 following the release of their debut number 1 album It Won't Always Be Like This, the Irish four-piece (Elijah Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon and Josh Jenkinson) made a strong return in June with catchy, reminiscent, indie rock anthem 'These Are The Days.'

Following on from a homecoming headline show at Fairview Park in Dublin and a successful 2022 festival season promoting the soon-to-become lead single, the breakthrough indie rock quartet announced a four-date tour across the UK due to

take place in Autumn 2022. This included their biggest headline UK show yet, a date at Londons' atmospheric Camden Roundhouse, the heart of London's indie music scene. (As one of my favourite bands of recent years I could NOT miss this).

With support from the gentle Sophie May and energetic, animated Liverpudlian band STONE, fans were all fired up to see Inhaler's entrance to an iconic London stage.

From the first sighting of the band from side stage, the crowd lifted the energy of the room as the tight-knit Dublin group took their positions. Frontman Elijah Hewson brings natural charm and confidence to his performance from the get-go. The set started with the new single 'These Are The Days' instead of the expected 2019 single 'It Won't Always Be Like This' followed by 2020 single 'We Have To Move On' with Hewson and Jenkinsons (lead guitar) choreographed back-to-back playing sequence.

Stand-out songs throughout the set included 'Who's Your Money On (Plastic House),' a song that begins with usual indie rock traits and a simple chorus, quickly drops speed and instrumentation to a simple picking pattern played by Hewson in a single rotating spiral spotlight. Members of the crowd stood in awe of its simplistic beauty - for me a true highlight of their discography!

Prior to playing their FIFA 2021 song 'Totally,' Hewson dedicated it to Britney Spears, due to its noted similarities to her smash hit '…me baby one more time.'

Fan favourite 'My King Will Be Kind' was an essential feature on the setlist as the band stopped playing for around 5 seconds allowing them to hear the sheer volume of united screaming for one of their most loved lines 'I f**cking hate that bitch.'

The band showed their honest gratitude to the fans for making this possible, with Elijah pointing around the crowd and thanking groups of people for their continued support.

Following this was a string of straight hits for the band including 'It Won't Always Be Like This,' 'Cheer Up Baby' and their most streamed, the breakthrough song 'My Honest Face,' with its final crescendo sending fans into overdrive bringing a soar of energy into the space yelling every word.

This tour seemed to be a way of welcoming both casual listeners and die-hard fans into a new era awaiting the release of their 2nd album Cuts and Bruises due to be released February 17th 2023 with the live performances of recent Radio 1's Hottest Record single 'Love Will Get You There' and the live debut of the unreleased song 'If You're Gonna Break My Heart' which to me was reminiscent of some of the quartet's early releases back in 2018/2019.

Overall, this was a pretty special show for the charming, Dublin breakthrough act, with a

constant overdrive of excitement throughout the crowd in their hour-long set of sometimes moody indie singalong rock anthems.

With Inhaler gaining popularity quickly they're simply an act you don't want to miss!

Catch them on their February tour of the rest of the UK as well as American & Europe dates throughout 2023!!

~ Alex

Setlist

These Are the Days

We Have to Move On

When It Breaks

Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)

Totally

Love Will Get You There

In My Sleep

Slide Out the Window

My King Will Be Kind

It Won't Always Be Like This

Cheer Up Baby

If You're Gonna Break My Heart

My Honest Face

Alex is currently studying photography in London and has her own photography account on Instagram (@capturedbyalexx). Check her account for more of her super cool photos!

We're super grateful for all of you live music fanatics who've been getting involved with us! Keep the words, memories and pictures coming through - whether it be a gig you've been to, an album you've been obsessing over or an upcoming artist you've fallen for - let us know! Please contact us via instagram DM, email (notaluciddream@gmail.com) or contact form on our website with any ideas you've got. We're looking forward to hearing from you!✨💖💫

We were lucky enough to have both lead singer Elijah Hewson and drummer Ryan McMahon from Inhaler as guests on our ALD playlists! Check them out here::::