Stage Stories; Inhaler Cuts & Bruises Tour, Dublin

Hometown Heroes conclude Cuts and Bruises Tour with Epic 3Arena Headline Show

Cuts and Bruises Tour, Dublin 2023....Where do I even begin with this one?! From the outside it looked as if Inhaler were just another indie band that were taking to the iconic stage of the 3Arena, Dublin, but from the inside it was four determined lads from Dublin playing in a venue they all attended as kids and hoped that one day they too would perform on that stage.

Venue- 3Arena

Date- 11th November 2023

Rating- 4/5 stars

Inhaler, formed in 2012, are an Irish indie-rock band originating from Dublin. Comprising of vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson (Eli), bassist Robert (affectionately known as Bobby) Keating, guitarist Josh Jenskinson and drummer Ryan McMahon, they have developed their own unique sound and have created an instantly recognisable catalogue of tunes. Releasing their debut album, It Won't Always Be Like This, in July 2021, Inhaler have gone from strength to strength through the years, playing to sold out venues, both intimate and larger shows, before taking on the 3Arena last night for what is possibly the biggest feat of their career to date.

Stepping onto the 3Arena stage to Artic Monkeys' Snap Out Of It, Eli Hewson and his band Inhaler immediately held the audience captive with the first note, dispelling any notion that their presence was solely due to Eli's dad, Bono. By the end of their performance, Inhaler had not only demonstrated their independence but also successfully delivered on their goal of holding the audience in the palm of their hands, leaving the crowd immersed in a vivid and accomplished alternative music experience.

The stage design remained uncomplicated, featuring a plain black backdrop adorned with Inhaler in bold white ink, classic laser lights devoid of a distinct colour scheme, a handful of microphone stands, and a drum set proudly displaying the Inhaler logo on its front. The distinctive touch came from the white logo on the backdrop, dramatically changing colour with the lighting, lending a unique visual identity to each track. Despite this being the sole distinctive feature of the stage setup, it in no way detracted from the overall performance.

Opening with These Are The Days, the band clearly demonstrated how to whip the auidence into a frenzy and get them dancing and singing along to a crowd favourite. The energy continued as Inhaler seamlessly transitioned into one of my personal favourite tracks, When It Breaks, a powerful rock anthem that had the arena rocking from side to side.

The setlist included the band's progression from their previous album, It Won't Always Be Like This, with tracks like Totally and Who's Your Money On? where Eli introduced the rest of the band and where fans at the 3Arena enthusiastically raised their torches during Plastic House, creating a breathtaking moment that served as the band's poignant "we made it" realisation, capturing the crowd's undivided attention. Although these tracks leaned towards a mellow vibe compared to the band's usual style, they maintained a stylised, dreamy rock sound with poignant lyrics, enveloped in a sonically powerful ode to youth.

Perfect Storm kicks off the latter half of the Cuts and Bruises album, which showcases the band at their peak, serving as the track that got me interested in the band in the first place. The seamless transition leads into the sigalong favourite My King Will Be Kind, featuring an unapologetically brutal yet entertaining chorus that encourages the audience to join frontman Eli in chanting the lines back to the band.

Midway through the set, Hewson declares, "Dublin, we love you. Here's a song we wrote about you." The eagerly anticipated moment arrives as Dublin In Ecstasy takes center stage, bringing the house down in the very heart of the city it was penned as a love letter to Dublin. The performance elicits an enthusiastic response, with seven Irish flags hurled onto the stage and a vibrant mosh pit adding to the electric atmosphere. Chanting "Ole, Ole, Ole" before the next track, the band launched into another crowd favourite Love Will Get You There keeping the energy levels high and the audience feeling groovy.

Thanking their support, Soaks and Blossoms before rounding off their initial set, Eli, Bobby, Ryan and Josh graced the crowd with their up-beat groovy tracks Cheer Up Baby and with Eli wrapping it up by declaring, "This has been the best night of our lives, thank you" before launching into It Won't Always Be Like This, where Hewson's raw and impassioned vocals take center stage. As he smiles at the audience, proclaiming, "I see you," the crowd revels in the moment. The show's soundtrack is characterised by anthemic riffs and pulsating beats, amplified by the drumming skills of Ryan McMahon.

Making a triumphant return to the stage, Inhaler concluded the night with an impactful three-song encore: If You're Gonna Break My Heart, Just To Keep You Satisfied, and their chart-topping single, My Honest Face. If You're Going To Break My Heart kicks off the encore and exudes warmth and light, despite its lyrical exploration into darkness.The aptly named Just To Keep You Satisfied with its velvety synths, singalong melodies, and powerful guitar drops is up next before the set culminated with My Honest Face, a final fan favorite before Hewson declared, "We love you, let's do this again sometime!" as the applause roared to a close.

Inhaler's homecoming at the 3Arena, the grand finale of their tour, was an extraordinary ode to their roots, resilience, and musical triumph. This hometown spectacle, the pinnacle of their tour, marked the band's most significant feat to date. From the heartfelt declarations to the pulsating beats that echoed through Dublin's night air, it was more than a concert—it was a celebration of a remarkable journey and an assurance that this hometown show was just the beginning of a brilliant chapter in Inhaler's illustrious career.