Inhaler performed at the Brooklyn Paramount for their “Open Wide North American Tour” on March 6, with opener Been Stellar.
The Dublin-based band performed for an energetic crowd of fans who belted out nearly every lyric.
Inhaler is an alternative indie rock band that makes music reminiscent of iconic bands like U2, Blur, and The Strokes. Inhaler’s Elijah Hewson is Bono from U2’s son.
Before the concert began, teens with their mothers, millennial couples, and even groups of older men lined up to enter the venue. The diverse demographic filled the floor, with everyone conversing before the concert started. The energy was high in the room as fans anticipated the arrival of the performers.
Been Stellar opened the show at 8 p.m., starting with “Scream from New York, NY.” The indie band paid homage to their city as they were performing a hometown show. They performed eight songs, including a new unreleased track. The lead singer, Sam Slocum, expressed his appreciation to the audience. “This is going incredibly well,” he said.
Inhaler stepped onto the stage around 9 p.m. to an eruption of screams from the audience. The band opened with “My Honest Face,” their most popular song from their 2021 album “It Won’t Always Be Like This.”
They then sang “Eddie in the Darkness” from their most recent album “Open Wide,” which was released on Feb. 7.
The setlist combined new and old songs to show the consistent but developing sound of Inhaler. Their songs are recognizable and personable to their image while also showing their versatility.
The energy in the room never died – throughout the night, fans sang along and danced to every single song.
During “Totally,” lead singer Hewson would go silent to let the fans finish the lyrics for him. The audience screamed, “Why does it hurt me so much?” in unison. He finished the song saying, “Fucking beautiful, thank you.”
One of the most energetic performances of the night was “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House).” Fans clapped along to the beat of the drums when the first notes started, and the front-row audience threw fake money toward the stage in the final chorus.
However, no lyric was sung louder than during “My King Will Be Kind,” where the audience shouted, “I fucking hate that bitch” twice in perfect unison.
Hewson also stepped down from the stage during “Dublin in Ecstasy” to meet with front-row fans face-to-face. He handed over the mic to audience members who expressed love and gratitude for the band before jumping back into the final chorus.
The band performed three songs for the encore, including “Open Wide” and “It Won’t Always Be Like This.” They closed the show with “Your House,” using instrumentals that created a nostalgic feel—a perfect way to end an unforgettable night.
Inhaler’s performance at the Brooklyn Paramount showcased not only their musical repertoire but also their stage presence and powerful audience engagement.
The “Open Wide North American Tour” will continue through March, with Dallas as their last stop.