Gig review: Inhaler at Rock City

Words: Conall Stacey

Photos: Lewis Evans

Saturday 15 February 2025

reading time: min, words

music live music Rock City

Inhaler are doing things big. This month, they embarked on their biggest-ever UK tour, covering eight cities. This followed four weeks in the US, and preceded 15 dates in Europe and a trip to Asia. We caught up with them at Rock City, where they played an enthralling 18-song set...

It's my second time seeing openers The Guest List at Rock City; I last witnessed them live in 2023, supporting indie legends Two Door Cinema Club. I had high expectations, and they met them. The Manchester five-piece warmed up the crowd nicely with their easy to listen to indie tunes.

Next up, Gurriers: they walked on to I Love You Baby by Frank Sinatra, then proceeded to hit us with some heavy riffs. The band's sound is as if you were to combine Fontaines DC with IDLES. A highlight of the set was when the bassist decided to go into the crowd to start a mosh pit, while still playing their bass... to which the crowd reacted more than enthusiastically!

I didn't know what to expect from these lads but they were incredible and exceeded anything I anticipated. If you're an indie rock fan you should keep your eye out for this band.

At last, time for the main event, Inhaler. It was the band's third appearance at Rock City but their sixth time in Nottingham after playing The Bodega in 2019. The current tour is for their newly-released album Open Wide, which has only been out for a week. This didn't stop the fans who were more than keen to sing along, already knowing all the words.

The set opened with fan favourite My Honest Face which caused the audience to erupt straightaway into a bouncing moshpit. They then went smoothly into Eddie In The Darkness. Drummer Ryan McMahon was introduced as a "A man who bangs more than Hugh Hefner" ... but, after the song, the band clarified this was a reference to banging the drums, of course.

A definite standout of the set was Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah), a single from the new album which is a belter. It was very cool to hear it live.

For the song Dublin in Ecstasy, vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson went to the barrier to let someone from the crowd sing along... unfortunately, they didn't know all of the words, but the whole crowd helped them out. A very special moment.

Inhaler left the stage after a storming set during which they and the crowd fed off each other's energy for the full performance. Of course, the band returned for an encore, performing It Won't Always Be Like This to a rapturous reception.

Inhaler are truly a must-see band; the show they put on is insane and the atmosphere is always class. Don't miss them next time!

Inhaler performed at Rock City on 11th February 2025, with support from The Guest List and Gurriers.

We have a favour to ask

LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?

Support LeftLion