Live Review & Gallery: Inhaler Breathe New Life into Sydney's Roundhouse 29.08.2024

Dublin-based four-piece Inhaler are at Sydney’s Roundhouse for the first show of their inaugural Australian tour. Tonight’s show has shifted gears, moving to a larger venue to meet the demand. Originally set for the more intimate Liberty Hall, the upgrade reflects the growing pull of a band whose sound can no longer be contained in small spaces.

Inhaler are touring their new album ‘Cuts & Bruises,’ the follow-up to their breakout debut, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This.’ That first album didn’t just make a splash—it made history, debuting at number one on both the UK and Irish charts in July 2021, and became the fastest-selling vinyl album by any band in the 21st century, a feat that marked Inhaler as the first Irish group in over a decade to top the charts with their first effort.

Last year, Inhaler’s rising star was unmistakable as they landed coveted opening slots for some of the biggest names in music. Handpicked by Pearl Jam, they warmed up the stage for the legendary rockers during their Chicago, Indianapolis, and Austin shows. In June they performed at the iconic Slane Castle, opening for Harry Styles. Inhaler also hit the road with Arctic Monkeys, in 2023 serving as their opener, and supported Sam Fender at his monumental St. James’ Park concert.

First up tonight are local band Vanns, who put on a cracking set, that soon gets the capacity crowd in the mood.

Word on the street is that fans started lining up at 2 a.m. this morning, determined to claim their places at the barrier. It’s a powerful testament to the buzz Inhaler has been building—a kind of grassroots fervour that’s all the more impressive given that this is their first-ever trip to Australia. By the time doors open, the venue is quickly packed, bodies pressed close, anticipation electric in the air, as if everyone here is in on a secret that’s about to explode.

The band strolls onto the stage, greeted by a wave of applause that’s as much anticipation as it is adoration. The setup is minimalist—a stark black backdrop. No frills, no distractions, just four guys ready to let the music do the talking. Robert Keating on bass, Josh Jenkinson on guitar, Ryan McMahon behind the drums, and Elijah Hewson at the mic—a name that might make you think of another Irish frontman. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about lineage. Tonight, Inhaler prove they’re more than just a footnote in rock history. They deliver a set that’s all jangling guitars and shimmering melodies, the kind of indie rock that moves bodies and stirs souls. This isn’t a band coasting on a name; they’re forging their own identity, one rapturous crowd at a time, and if tonight’s anything to go by, they’re on a trajectory all their own.