By Mia Zajac
Hello everyone! I’m so excited to be back to posting regularly sorry for the no post-Wednesday like two weeks ago, Accounting is an absolutely brutal course (I’m dropping it, it’s actually so hard). Nevertheless today we are talking all about Inhaler and their most current Cuts & Bruises tour! I was lucky to attend two of their shows in NYC and Boston, I got to make so many new friends (and enemies, just kidding. Maybe), get thrown right into their somewhat chaotic fan base, and get to see Sun Room again (I’m unwell I know I know). So buckle up (ew) because this might be a long one (it’s abnormally long, sorry) but, it’s worth it if you are thinking of getting into Inhaler or are in the NYC area and would like to learn about the venue I saw them at; The Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom.
A quick intro to Inhaler if you’re new here; they’re an Irish band local to Dublin composed of Elijah Hewson on guitar and lead vocals, Bobby Skeetz on bass, Josh Jenkinson on lead guitar, and Ryan McMahon on drums. They also have a pianist that I consider my best friend but I have no clue what his name is or anything, if he’s out there I want him to know that I am his #1 fan. Quick shoutout to Inhaler’s photographer Lewis Evans because he’s amazing and is such a sweet guy I am also his #1 fan, sorry Bobby, (I am not sorry).
To preface, this was my first tour of theirs that I attended as I am a relatively new fan being introduced to their music in 2020 as a casual listener and then becoming more of an avid listener in 2021/2022. I know a bunch of people hate on newer fans of their favorite artists because they like to gatekeep (so real, I love gatekeeping), so I was not sure what to expect. I’m a super big Wallows fan and a bunch of their fans are actually really welcoming which I was surprised about considering their side of Twitter is sometimes cracked out (shoutout shirt-gate if you know you know). As an avid Twitter user, I always start to get into the fandom ‘physically’ from that, just to make friends before the show since I usually go alone. Surprisingly, I went to the Boston show with some friends (shoutout to Grace and Alina I love you guys so much) but NYC was just me and my Wallows bag. Because of that, I had to do my usual ‘Hey everyone I’m going to the Inhaler 3/17 show in NYC alone and was wondering if anyone else is doing that too. I’m thinking of maybe getting there early so I would like to meet up with someone just so I’m not on the streets of NYC by myself lol :)’ Tweet and wait for a hopeful DM from literally anyone. This was the start of me entering the black hole of Inhaler Twitter and I’m going to be honest with you, it was terrifying. An absolute nightmare if you will. I thought I knew what to expect going through the Wallows NOLA drama first hand but unfortunately, that did not prepare me.
Disclaimer: Now, I am not trying to get canceled on Twitter because #1. I don’t care and #2. I’m just speaking the truth. I’m not about to LIE on my blog, that’s embarrassing. But, I’m also not going to be an absolute jerk because that’s mean.
To begin camping was in full effect for these shows. I was disappointed with this because it’s INHALER, not Harry Styles, why are we camping for a band that only has 247k followers and with half of their band having private accounts and the other two not even being verified? I should have honestly expected this considering for SUN ROOM in NYC and Boston people lined up at 9 am and 11 am which is also insane (you can read about that in one of my previous Sun Room posts). Comparing the Inhaler NYC and Boston shows NYC was absolutely insane. It was Saint Patricks Day which I’m using to justify the insanity of people showing up at THREE AM. Yes, you heard it here THREE AM. I still can’t get over that. I was in an NYC group chat for the show and I will not get into the drama because it was insane and I can’t even stress how bad it was. But, I arrived around 6:15ish and was #30 I think? I’m not completely sure as it was all a blur. I even checked Snapchat to see my saved snaps from that day and there was only one at like 4 pm. So I don’t even have proof to see in a year in my flashback memories (which low-key disappoints me). I arrived prepared this time with a blanket, jacket, my giant Wallows tote bag, my green Wallows sweatshirt that’s a size too small so it’s like a quarter sleeve, and my awesome Sun Room hat that I will never stop talking about. To get to NYC that early, I took the 4 am train from my local station in CT, since I was back home for spring break, then took a taxi 15 minutes to the venue. Camping wise we were all sitting in the way in front of the parking garage on the sidewalk and were moved around 8 am by the security at the Manhattan Center. After the line was moved Emma, who I met on Twitter and met with me in line at around 6:30 am, and I walked like 10 blocks around the venue to hopefully see Inhaler and Sun Room when they arrive.
Emma and I with Inhaler's bus.
Inhaler’s bus was parked at the back of the venue so naturally, we freaked out and had a photoshoot in front of it (pictures below). We then went and got breakfast at the Mcdonald's five feet away from the venue, I loved how there were so many food options nearby. There was a Chipotle we had dinner at and a Starbucks we stopped at halfway through our camp for caffeine. In addition to those, there were a bunch of other places too. I can always appreciate when there’s food nearby so I can get a break from sitting on concrete and the cold. Fortunately, it wasn’t too cold! Sadly, we did not see Inhaler before the show but did see Sun Room’s van drive by, of course, we walked to the back then because why not and ran into Ashton, their lead guitarist. I’ve met them before but was always scared because I would overthink it so much so being caught off guard was perfect. Even though he was in the middle of walking to the back entry door I stopped him and we had a quick chat. I’ve never really got to talk to Ashton because compared to the rest of the band he’s pretty shy but, he was super awesome! We quickly talked about the setlist and how they come up with it the day of (just like Wallows, which is so slay) then the potential of playing Blitzkrieg Bop (they did not, boo. But, they haven’t played it at all thank god. If they play it at their last show I will be mad.) then I wished him good luck and was on my way. He was super nice so I thought that would be the last time I saw him until the show but I then saw him FIVE MORE TIMES. That was enough Sun Room for me for like ten years.
Bus photoshoot!
We then got moved into the barricades that the venue had set up around 4:30. Fortunately Emma had a hotel room that we got ready in and left our camping supplies at. Having a hotel room available really changes the whole camping experience and I don’t think I can ever go back to not having one. Now, this is where the real drama began. Well before the show there were fights on Twitter about lining up early and within the NYC group chat which is all I will say about that. But, I will put these other girls on blast. There was another side to the barricades we were in for people who had disabilities and balcony seats that were let in early. The girls at the beginning of that line were absolutely vile. They were whispering and bragging about how they will be going to the pit when their seats were on the balcony and they would be cutting people who have been waiting for 12+ hours. This obviously did not fare well with the line. We brought attention to security about this who apparently was not going to let this happen. To let everyone know security at this show was AWFUL. They were rude and inconsiderate to everyone. It was the worst security experience I have ever had. Back to the girls who used a disability to skip the entire line. Karma is a b***h (I don’t want to swear on here because it’s unprofessional. Even if my writing is super casual swearing hardcore is crossing a line). They were let in early and to quote the security guard who blatantly lied to us "They will be escorted to the balcony so there’s no way for them to get into the pit". Guess what, they did get into the pit at center barricade and were even a couple of people to the left of us at Bobbycade (Bobby Barricade). Spoiler, we did get barricade but there was a quick ten minutes where I almost lost it at the chance that we wouldn’t get it even though I had been up since 2:30 am.
Now for security entering the venue. My hopes were high since we were sitting with these really awesome girls in line (shoutout to Ashly, Jenna, Gabby, Megan, and Taylor) where some of them had been to this venue for Louis Tomlinson and had a flawless time for security. This show was a mess for security. Emma and I split into different lines for a higher chance of Bobbycade and Taylor joined me in my line. Our security person was a female and was a nightmare. She was rude and took humor into us being stressed about people just running through security. For concerts, I bring a clear bag and was under the impression that like usual it would not be opened because it’s clear. The venue had no policy about dumping the bags out and looking through every single thing in there. Yet, that is what they did. If I knew that information, I would’ve not brought a bag at all. Because of this, people who had no bag were running through security as fast as they could. It was the Hunger Games and Taylor and I were that one kid from District 3 who got targeted by Cato during training that he killed first when we were striving to be Foxface. I was screamed at to get to the side of the metal detector when I was already there and was laughed at by the lady checking my bag after dumping my things into my hat. I’m grateful she dumped them into my hat because I just got to run as fast as I could to barricade but, Taylor wasn’t as fortunate. I got to the barricade which Emma had secured for us and Taylor joined a couple of minutes later. She filled us in that the female security guard skipped her bag and put her phone into another girl's bag while ignoring her telling saying that those were her things, not the other girls. At least we were at barricade though. I’ve learned that barricade runs never go well for me. I just have perpetual bad luck in those situations.
Taylor, Emma, and I at Bobbycade.
Nevertheless, once we had solidified our place the show was amazing. My expectations were high just because I have something called a 'Wallows NOLA feeling’. This is where at shows I have a feeling that it's going to play out like the Wallows NOLA show that I attended in October 2022. That show changed the course of my life (I am not joking), it made me want to go into this industry when I have been blindly going through college for three years with the most general major I could find just because I had no clue at all what I wanted to do. They inspired me to begin this blog and put myself into the music industry fully. And I haven’t looked back. So, shout out to Wallows for being my muses. Anyway, the signs were all there so expectations were high, and I am not being dramatic when I say that I hate being let down. I always go into shows with a preface of the bare minimum and sometimes I am let down which is never fun. Let me say I was not let down. Sun Room was amazing as always and I can tell they weren’t as nervous as they were on their most recent tour which I love. I enjoy getting to see them grow and become more confident in their abilities because they deserve it all. Attached below is a picture of Luke in the hat I made which made me freak out. Like for real. I have a video of me screaming like a psycho (I am not exaggerating) when I threw the hat and made it on stage because the stage was a good six feet away and it landed at Max’s feet. Someone hire me to be a pitcher or something because that throw was the most impressive thing I’ve ever done. Then Luke getting the hat from Max sent me into a state of shock, when I got back to school from spring break my friends and I sat in the dining hall and played the video five times (real) at full blast CRYING at the table because it’s the funniest thing ever. I will not attach it though (sorry) because it’s the most embarrassing thing ever. Their set was great but I am sad I haven’t heard Kaden’s Van live yet (I’ve seen them five times, come on guys do me a solid).
Luke wearing my hat!!!
Now for Inhaler. I can’t begin to explain them. Their stage presence is amazing. You can see how they’ve differentiated themselves from each other which is always refreshing with bands as sometimes the longer they’re together the more of the same they become but not with Inhaler. Since it was Saint Patrick's Day their entry lights were green which was a nice touch and when they came out everyone went wild. Ryan had an Irish flag on his back which sent everyone over the edge. The one and only Bobby Skeetz came over to grab his bass and we flipped OUT. Seeing the artists in person is always a surreal moment because like, I’ve been listening to ya’ll sing through my headphones for a hot minute and now you’re in front of me and we’re all singing together? The idea of that just always blows my mind and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I get to finally share something that I love with the people who created it and that’s kinda cool. They opened with ‘These Are The Days’ (as they should) and honestly the rest of the concert was a little bit of a blur (those are the best kind of shows). Looking back most of my videos are just of the floor because I’m not paying attention at all. Now, the part of their shows that I’ve been looking forward to FOREVER has been Josh Jenkinson's guitar solo in ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ and getting to scream “I fucking hate that bitch” in ‘My King Will Be Kind’ (we will swear in this one because that’s the lyrics). Let me say, the hype for those parts is UNDER exaggerated. It was an absolute rush being able to scream ‘I fuking hate that bitch’ with everyone and releasing every single emotion I’ve ever had in that one line. Now Josh’s solo was WILD. It is my FAVORITE part of ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ and I am sad that even though I went to two shows I wasn’t able to be Josh Barricade to experience that in front of me. I always forget the name of the song because I only focus on the solo as it is an angelic experience. At this point, I’m just a member of the Josh Jenkinson church of Worship.
The one and only Bobby Skeetz!!!
If you’ve stuck around for this whole article 1. I love you and 2. You’re a real one for that. I know it was an essay but Inhaler deserves it. They deserve it all and I’m so proud that they’re opening for HARRY STYLES in Ireland, I still can’t believe it. At the end of the show, we went downstairs to Sun Room’s merch table and got to talk to them which is always fun because they’re awesome. But, attending an Inhaler show is a magical experience and I recommend it to every single person ever.
Me Being Real (fake) with Sun Room
Don’t forget to come back next week for a new (hopefully shorter) post!
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