We were treated to not one, but two supports before the big name. Nieve Ella opened with a catchy set that sent energy through the whole audience. That’s just before FEET swaggered out onto the stage with their infectious melodies and undeniable rhythm.
Returning to the main act, it’s been almost two years since their debut album was released, and the Irish band have been growing from strength to strength. After announcing their upcoming support for both Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles, the lads will undeniably rise in the ranks (as they should). Now, facing us in Newcastle, the quartet looked fully comfortable up on the stage. From the beginning of the show, it was clear that frontman Eli has inherited his dad’s talent, as traces of U2 streak their way through the music and their performance.
Opening up the show with their aptly named song ‘These Are The Days’ from the new album, the gig broke out into an energetic sprawl of dancing, cheering, and jumping. Looking around the NX, there was an unbreakable atmosphere that only continued to gain momentum in the gig. Fan favourites were mixed with brand new tunes that the crowd had the pleasure of listening to for the first time.
Looking around the NX, there was an unbreakable atmosphere that only continued to gain momentum in the gig
Muttering small fillers in between songs, there was a much heavier emphasis on the one thing that we were all there for: the music. Thunderous guitar riffs from Josh Jenkinson worked in perfect unison with Keating’s booming bass and McMahon’s striking drums. Eli’s impressive range became the cherry on top, as his voice didn’t falter from the recorded versions. The only difference really being that there here it was louder (and I will not be complaining about that).
After the more unknown of the setlist - ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’ and ‘So Far So Good’ – were played, the band returned to the compelling ‘When It Breaks’ that seemed to inject a vigour into the crowd. It set the atmosphere up perfectly for ‘My King Will Be Kind’, as all 2000 of us chanted ‘I fucking hate that bitch’ – potentially the most tasteful lyric written by the band. The rest of the gig continued with a buoyant environment, before they went off for the inevitable encore.
Finishing on ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, the whole place continued cheering to their unstoppable melodies and dynamic riffs. There was a strong feeling of unison that is only ever present in gigs, and it was a brilliant.
Inhaler will next be in Newcastle on the 9th June supporting the city’s own Sam Fender at St James’ Park, but until then we will just have to listen to their music extremely loudly to try and replicate the feeling.
