For better or worse, Inhaler gigs have built up quite the reputation in the years since the Dubliners first started to gain traction. Drama and discourse over camping culture can often divert attention from what the main event is; simply an extremely enjoyable gig first and foremost. Much to their credit, their fanbase have previously only elevated that by providing an unwavering added voice. Fresh from releasing their third album, not much was expected to change on that front. As a large group of buzzed young fans quickly bustled into Manchester’s 02 Apollo, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to get a similar feeling of going to a One Direction gig. That isn’t a dig in the slightest, either. The sight of teenagers causing a fuss of bubbling excitement to see their favourite band is an infectious and nostalgia-inducing feeling, one that feels rare nowadays and one that leaves you thinking you might be about to witness something special. The venue gates have only been open for a brief period of time before the general admission section is practically full, filled with chat and murmur of potential setlist admissions and omissions, with the added excitement of twelve new album tracks to pick from.
The added bonus of being a support slot for Inhaler is that you know all with a ticket will have arrived early in attendance to see you. Inhaler’s pick for the main support act was another fellow Dublin band but not before up and coming indie group The Guest List had their chance. It might have been a shock to see an act so young take the stage – with them hovering around the 18 mark – but their performance marked a band who could show a maturity of musicianship beyond their years, with ‘161’ particularly standing out with its lyrical sincerity of young love and Alex Turner inspirations. Gurriers – slang meaning a bunch of unruly men – also had the privilege of playing to a crowd who gave them their devoted attention. To an untuned ear it would be easy to class these talented musicians off as a ‘wannabee Fontaines D.C’, a lazy comparison sometimes thrown around by those who can’t distinguish between influence and identity. The crowd took to them so well, that if you didn’t know the agenda of the night and simply walked into the room, you would be forgiven for thinking this is Gurriers’ own gig; their stage presence assertive and demanding. Never more so on ‘Approachable’, a protest song written from the point of view of a right-wing extremist which brings an in-your-face performance from frontman Dan Hoff. As Gurriers receive applause and their equipment is brought off stage, attention is immediately diverted to the main event that comes next.
When Inhaler eventually do take to the stage, they’re met with what can only be described as a deafening roar. As they crank their amps up to play, the first song on the bill took some off guard. Number one song ‘My Honest Face’ seemed like a safe bet to keep its place on the encore until they’re in their 40s, but tonight in Manchester it opened the performance. However, complaints were non-existent – now three albums deep into their career, this band has enough hits to go around for an entire setlist. As the song’s groove kicks in and the bassline floods the room, a synchronised bounce makes its way through the crowd. Follow-up and new album opener ‘Eddie In The Darkness’ continues to keep a strong movement. Fans must have spent the past couple of days in preparation for their own performance, already being familiar with most lyrics and adding voice to accompany Hewson’s; which speaking of, sounds even stronger in person, echoing and booming its way around the venue.
One Direction comparisons feel even more apt as Hewson dedicates ‘Little Things’ to the British boyband, another new track that quickly asserts itself as a mainstay on the set for the foreseeable future. Performing such recently released songs always had a chance of killing a sense of momentum, but the band perfectly balanced known hits throughout, interweaving themselves amongst a new noise.
Picks of the oldies (that are still quite new) included ‘Dublin In Ecstasy’ which included Hewson jumping down to the crowd to talk to adoring fans, ‘Cheer Up Baby’ packing the biggest punch on its massive sounding chorus, and ‘My King Will Be Kind’, which includes the now iconic “I f*cking hate that b*tch” lyric that will always get the loudest response. ‘These Are The Days’ was the only notable exception to bite the bullet, but when you have enough ammo to last two hours its omission falls short of being an offence.
The title track from the newly released album opened the encore, before concluding with ‘Your House’. The boys may not have had the gospel choir they had on the recording, but their faithful crowd rose to the occasion to fill the void – a fitting end to the night. Inhaler have always been known to put on fantastic gigs, but have yet to make the step up to fill primetime festival slots. If anyone was shown in Manchester, it was that they’re ready to make that leap; they now have the hits, the performance and the confidence to do so.
Words by Niall McGreevy