The Dublin-based band Inhaler is taking their first and second studio albums on tour again, all while giving fans a glimpse of new work. The band consists of frontman and lead vocalist Elijah Hewson (son of U2’s Bono), bassist Robert Keating, lead guitarist Josh Jekinson and drummer Ryan McMahon.
Kicking off the tour on Oct. 11 in Nashville, Tenn., Inhaler will continue performing until Nov. 10 with their closing show taking place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The band performed at the Salt Shed in Chicago on Oct. 26.
Having just toured North America in 2023, many fans began expecting new music from the group amid the announcement of another tour. Inhaler was sure to deliver, releasing a set list featuring two unreleased songs via Instagram on Oct. 12.
The songs “Your House” and “Eddie in the Darkness” were additions to a set list that otherwise featured fan favorites from the group’s first and second studio albums, “It Won’t Always Be Like This” and “Cuts and Bruises,” respectively. The newer songs take the band in a new direction, featuring layered synth work and an energetic sound.
“We’ve never released a song that sounds anything like it,” McMahon told New Musical Express (NME).
Chicago fans were in for even more of a treat, as Inhaler elected to forego performing “Eddie in the Darkness” in favor of debuting never-before-heard “Question Of You.”
“Just pretend you know it,” Hewson said.
The audience was thrilled with the debut of the new song, and all the more appreciative of the group’s commitment to releasing new material. “Question Of You” is more reminiscent of U2’s sound than any of Inhaler’s other work – a deliberate move as the young band worked to separate themselves from their frontman’s famous father early on in their career.
The concert, though at a larger venue than their last appearance in Chicago, was an intimate fan experience. With Hewson coming down from the stage to interact with fans during “Dublin in Ecstasy,” Keating and Jenkinson tossing out guitar picks and McMahon handing out his drum sticks after the show, it’s no wonder the group has continued to grow their following.
The group seems much more comfortable on stage this time around than compared to their last North American tour. Much more personable and seemingly more seasoned, fans were left wanting more from the Irish band.
Luckily enough, Inhaler didn’t leave their listeners waiting around for long. The first single, “Your House,” from their upcoming album was released on Oct. 29 shortly after the Chicago show.
The band announced, via Instagram, on Oct. 31 that their third album, “Open Wide,” will be released on Feb. 7, 2025. The group announced the album’s existence at their New York City show, and shared that their newest work is largely inspired by the city.
“[‘Open Wide’ is] a reflection of where we are at in our lives, especially for Eli and me because we go back and forth to New York [City] a lot,” Keating told NME. “We spend so much time in the States so it felt true and right that the city influenced the music in the way that it did.”
On Nov. 1 the group announced their 2025 tour dates for the UK, Europe and Japan. These tickets will go on presale at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 and on general sale on Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Fans will have to wait around for February to listen to Inhaler’s new album in full, but can hold themselves over with concert footage and their new single – and music video for – “Your House” for now.
