Live Review :: Inhaler + The Ninth Wave + Walt Disco :: The Lexington, London - Mar 7 2020

Live

Inhaler + The Ninth Wave + Walt Disco 

The Lexington, London

March 7 2020

Words/Pictures: Robyn Skinner 

Saturday night in London and at the sold out Lexington it's a battle of Ireland v Scotland for the three bands playing as part of Annie Mac Presents (AMP) run of shows across the capital. Many of the gigs for this mini urban festival feature bands playing in smaller venues then they've recently got used to, and tonight is no exception; three high calibre bands tilting a heavy nod towards 80s inspired new wave and synth-pop.

The venue is already filling up nicely for first act Walt Disco. The crowd clearly knew what to expect by getting down early as the band launch into a set of infectious and glittering new wave disco inspired by everything from fellow Glaswegians Orange Juice and Postcard Records, to Sparks and Queen Zee. The theatrical James Potter is a watchable frontman, and wearing a jaunty cap and artfully applied make-up, he rouses the fans as they turn out a set of syncopated disco high-hat rhythms, which soon have the room dancing like crazy. 'Cut Your Hair' everyone was cheering and singing along, much to the band's delight.

Following in their wake, fellow Glaswegians The Ninth Wave take over to offer a darker, more gothic vibe as they drift into a more moody set with shades of Gary Numan, Glasvegas and Cocteau Twins. Again, the crowd love it, many of them passionately singing back every word, so much so that singer Hayden and bassist Millie can hardly contain their delight; their stern gothic frowns broken with ear to ear grins. They leave the stage to raptous cheers, and undoubtedly many new fans gained.

Let's get the elephant in the room out the way straight away: Elijah Hewson, Inhaler's singer, is the son of Bono. Yes, the Bono. Is it relevant or should we look past that? It is probably a fact known to all now anyway, over the last year that has seen them become one of Ireland's hottest new bands. Hewson's voice, like his father's, is strong and impressive, and he projects it well. The music too is reminiscent of 'Unforgetable Fire'/'Boy' era U2, that mixed with a dash of Stereophonics and Blossoms.

The rising Dubliners play their fairly standard nine-song set that kicks off with 'When I'm With You' and 'It Won't Always Be Like This'. It's all very polished with big choruses, like live favourite, the shimmering indie-rock anthem 'Ice Cream Sundae'. But tonight for some reason it just doesn't seem to fully engage the crowd like the other bands have this evening. At one point Elijah dedicates 'We Have To Move On' to "the two people dancing" (his stat not ours). The crowd get the hint and begin to shuffle their feet and dance and cheer more, and by by the time they launch into closing number - and by far their best - 'My Honest Face', they have the room fully on side.