Inhaler’s Sold Out Show At The Wiltern: Cowgirl Hats, Post Concert Depression, and The Next Biggest Rock Sensation

Photo by Lewis Evans

I was not going to miss it for anything. 

After a long day of work, a two-hour drive from San Diego, and a Yerba Mate, I was more than ready to finally see Inhaler play live at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Traveling with me was my good friend and radio co-host, Shay, who was equally excited as I was for this long-awaited performance. We made sure that we were both well-rehearsed for the show by blasting all the favorites from both their albums, It Won’t Always Be Like This, and their most recent one, Cuts and Bruises.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, the beloved alternative rock band consists of four members: Elijah Hewson on vocals and guitar, Robert Keating on bass and synth, Josh Jenkinson on guitar and backup vocals, and Ryan McMahon on drums. Inhaler had an early start developing their new, unique classic rock sound when they formed back in 2012. Later diving deep into the music scene, they released a number of singles, including their debut EP, My Honest Face in 2019 and their debut album, It Won’t Always Be Like This in 2021. Since the release, Inhaler has topped the Irish and UK album charts, extensively toured, and is now stopping in Los Angeles on the last two days of their sold-out North American tour. 

When we arrived at the theater, I was relieved to know that there was a parking structure connected to the venue; however, that relief was soon forgotten once I saw the sign that read $30 for parking. Not the best first impression of The Wiltern Theater.

Walking into the venue for the first time, I was in awe of the classic foyer look, and we instantly booked it to the back in search of the merchandise table. It is not often that I care to get merch, but I could not resist this time around. I ended up choosing the white asthma inhaler t-shirt, which included a screen-printed medical inhaler with the band’s name "inhaler" coming from the mouthpiece. Shay decided on the black heart "cuts and bruises" t-shirt in support of their new album. I will admit that I am guilty of the social media craze over the male-fronted Irish rock band and have made it my mission to be able to attend one of their North American headline tour dates. 

Opening up for Inhaler for their second tour together was San Diego’s very own Sun Room, who got their start in the Southern California surf rock scene. They were the perfect complement to the energetic rock and roll sound and took the stage wearing their famous dapper suit and tie look. They played all the crowd favorites, including "Sol Del Sur,” "Fun,” “Cadillac,” and many more that got the crowd riled up for Inhaler to come on stage. 

The venue itself was much bigger than I expected, with strictly standing room for most sections, which ended up being the only bummer of the night because our view was limited to the backs of decorated cowgirl hats that have become staple at shows and the silhouettes of others in front of us. However, if you were able to catch a full glimpse of the stage, it was a gorgeous sight with the artists being illuminated with the neon spotlights. So pretty that I ended up standing on my tippy toes most of the set to take it all in. A quick PSA to anyone who attends a show at The Wiltern: make sure to show up early to get a good view of the stage, or else you will be left doing the longest calf workout of your life. Apart from that, my small group of friends made the most of our view and partied in the back, living our own main character moment. 

Promptly taking the stage at 9 PM, Inhaler revived the crowd from the intermission between bands and erupted in a huge cheer with their opening song, "These Are The Days." Their stage setup was simple in the most fitting way for what to expect from a classic rock performance. Behind them was a plain banner backdrop with their band logo in white letters and laser lights to cast some color on stage. Even with my poor view of the stage, I was absolutely thrilled to be hearing them play live and dance around. The setlist for the night was the perfect mix of songs from both of their albums, including songs like "My Honest Face," "Just To Keep You Satisfied,” "Valentine" and many more. Hewson’s vocals were unreal to hear live, with the pure confidence and intensity that he brings to the stage. All throughout the night, the band kept up the high energy and engaging stage presence that left the fangirls amongst the crowd in a state of fascination. 

After concluding their initial set, the band returned to the stage to a huge roar of cheers for their encore of "If You’re Gonna Break My Heart" and "It Won’t Always Be Like This.” Even till the very end, the crowd returned with an intensity that I have never seen before at a concert, which made it difficult to tell whether my ears were ringing from their cheers or the actual performance. The final close of the set left girls running out of the venue in hopes of making it to the band’s tour buses alongside the building, which played perfectly into the old-fashioned rockstar feel the band embodies so well. Getting to see Inhaler play live was definitely one to cross off the bucket list, and leaving that concert, I knew that they were just getting started in their exciting fame to come.