Queuing down Leadmill Road, there’s a sense of excitement in the cool Sheffield air, and I think it’s due to Inhaler coming to town.
Walk through the doors and straight to the bar for a Red Stripe ahead of the support acts performance.
Up first are Blondes, who come out ready and raring to go on this Tuesday night in The Leadmill. The band give everything throughout their performance thoroughly warming up this already ecstatic crowd. Blondes play us a whole host of their tracks, including their notably most popular song ‘Coming of Age’.
A small gap ahead of Inhaler’s performance means back to the bar. As I look around the crowd is growing larger and there’s definitely a buzz amongst the punters which is helped by a few bangers dropped by the DJ.
Lights lower and everyone steady’s themselves for Inhaler to grace the stage.
Inhaler, all the way from Dublin, Ireland, kick off their steel city set with ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’. I’ve seen this band before but as I’m watching them thrash their instruments there is a notable change in their performance and the confidence is pouring out of them.
Next up the band are playing ‘These Are The Days’. As we move through the sound of this track, there’s not a soul in the house who’s not singing along. Despite the confidence and stage swagger Inhaler are giving off, the band do have a bit of a mishap at the start of ‘Perfect Storm’ forcing them to restart this track again.
Even though not all went plain sailing at first, the band make up for that while performing this song. Each guitar riff is being played with complete power and precision, the vocals are pristine and a pleasure to hear.
The band have the crowd in the palm of their hand and their lapping it up as they move through this show. One thing I do have to note is the set list is quite short and due to that, many of the fan favourites have been cut out. However, as the band start to play their last track, a clear fan favourite; all is forgiven.
Our last Inhaler treat of the evening is in the form of ‘My Honest Face’. As soon as the band start to play every single person in the room recognises the tune and look geared up for one last hurrah this evening.
Reaching the chorus, all the fans are united alongside the band singing “Baby / I’ll take you to an honest place / Darling / I just can’t find my honest face, my honest face” and it’s incredible to be a part of.
As I leave, reflecting on the show it turned out exactly how I expected; a fantastic night of great indie music.
Inhaler are a consistently reliable band who always put on a great show, and tonight was no exception.
Words by Laura Mills
