LIVE REVIEW: INHALER AT HOUSE OF BLUES IN CHICAGO, IL ON MARCH 17, 2022

Artist: Inhaler

Date: March 17, 2022

Location: House of Blues – Chicago, IL

Fans of Irish rock-band Inhaler celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL.

Tired from a long day of celebration with everyone dressed in green, some donning light-up necklaces and smudged face-paint – I knew based on the fans in attendance that this show would be special.

Opening act Junior Mesa from Bakersfield, CA brought along his band of friends to play his 70’s inspired rock with songs “All Or Nothin” and “Losing My Grip.”

With his friends Sean Lee on guitar, Hunter Meelee on keys, Julian Cullars on bass, and Peter Johnston on drums – the band began to wake the tired crowd as they played more of Junior Mesa’s songs including “Listen Close” and “What’s Enough pt.2.”

After much anticipation, Inhaler – the band we had all been waiting for took the stage one by one, all dressed for the occasion. Drummer Ryan McMahon wore a tall green hat, bassist Robert Keating donned a shamrock scarf, while guitarist Josh Jenkinson wore a shamrock cap, and vocalist Eli Hewson dressed for the show in a suit and green face-paint.

As the band opened with their album title track “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” the floor began to bounce as the room’s energy increased ten-fold.

Since their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This was released in 2021, the band has had astonishingly quick success in the U.S. (although it is 100% deserved). On stage it becomes immediately obvious to anyone doubting their right to success that Inhaler does deserve it, as they have that commanding stage presence that hooks you straight away.

Their hour-long 13-song setlist consisted of 10 tracks from their debut album including “Slide Out The Window,” “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House),” and fan-favorite “A Night On The Floor.” The night continued as they also played their 2019 single “Ice Cream Sundae,” and 2020 single “We Have To Move On.”

The crowd turned into that of a hard rock show by forming a mosh-pit, determined to make the most of the bands last song as Inhaler closed the show with their most successful track “My Honest Face.”