Inhaler: Glastonbury in Ecstasy
Inhaler performed a soaring set on the Other Stage, with a new fan watching. During the set Paul McCartney was caught on camera, in the on stage balcony watching the band.
Within the hour slot, the band played 11 songs, including 5 from their latest record Open Wide. The band have become a well-established live outfit and have worked their way up festival billings, proving themselves as a reliable and compelling act. Their newest record provided the perfect songs for shows like these, combining catchy hooks with moments of raw emotion that resonate with a massive crowd.
'Open Wide' provided the perfect arms aloft moment, with thousands in attendance joining in unison, and Elijah Hewson, the band’s frontman, had the crowd completely in the palm of his hands from start to finish. The atmosphere was electric, showcasing how far Inhaler has come since their early days. ‘Dublin in Ecstasy’ has long been a fan favourite and was warmly received by the Glastonbury faithful, who sang along passionately. The energy in the crowd was palpable, a clear sign that the band’s connection with their audience is only growing stronger.
'Who's Your Money On' is still a highlight of the set, a psychedelic inspired 6 minute epic, from their brilliant debut album. It went down really well with the Glastonbury faithful.
During the performance, frontman Eli Hewson used the set to take a poignant stand with Palestine. He declared, “I’d like to dedicate this next song to the people of Palestine, to any innocent people being starved or bombed, or genocide for the sake of some lunatics.” continuing saying “I feel like we have to say that because our greatest strength is freedom of expression, and there’s no better place for it than right here at Glastonbury. So, be kind to each other, and have a great time.” before launching into the bands debut single 'It Won't Always Be Like This'.
Elsewhere at the festival, country-pop queen CMAT led a “Free Free Palestine” chant as she left the stage following a euphoric set on the Pyramid Stage. Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are expected to perform an explicitly political set.
Inhaler ended the set with ‘Your House,’ arguably their most experimental track to date, more indebted to glam rock than to their early influences like The Stone Roses. The band’s switch to a lush, synth-driven sound in this song showcased their evolving artistry and willingness to push their boundaries live. The final song played was ‘My Honest Face,’ one of their oldest tracks and a poignant closer that reminded the crowd of the band’s journey from humble beginnings to the festival’s main stage.
Overall, Inhaler’s performance at Glastonbury 2025 was a testament to their steady rise in the indie rock scene. Their ability to command a large crowd while delivering a diverse and engaging set demonstrates why they are rapidly becoming one of the standout acts of the decade.
Pyramid in 2027. Maybe?