Cannons, a dream-pop trio, performed at the Hearst Greek Theatre in the second-to-last show of the Afterglow Tour July 17, co-headlined with Bob Moses. This tour follows Cannons’ year-long hiatus from the spotlight and celebrates the release of their latest album, Everything Glows. The July 17 performance also welcomed the return of Paul Davis — the group’s drummer and bassist — who paused from touring in April after needing emergency brain surgery.
At 7:30 p.m., fans trickled into the amphitheater accompanied by opener Oxis’ unique electronic-pop tracks. Each song was dedicated to a different fish and discussed themes of loneliness, love and belonging.
Oxis’ performance set the tone for the remainder of the night: calm and laidback. The multigenerational crowd was relaxed; casual, comfortable clothes were a staple, and everyone seemed to exist in their own world, detached from whatever may be waiting for them outside of the venue.
As the sun began to set and Cannons took the stage, this mindfulness never faded. Accompanied by technicolor and sparkling visuals, lead singer Michelle Joy opened the group’s set with “Loving You,” a hit from the band’s 2023 album Heartbeat Highway. As the audience lost themselves in the moment, so did the lead singer. Adorned in a flowing white dress, Joy angelically danced across the stage. She welcomed audiences into her relaxed state of mind by encouraging them to move and sing alongside her. Guitarist Paul Clapham, drummer Paul Davis and guest bassist Jade Fink similarly existed in the moment; they were one with their instruments and the music, simultaneously enjoying themselves individually and in tandem with one another.
Cannons quickly transitioned into releases from their latest album, Everything Glows, starting with “Starlight.” With a hanging crescent moon and visuals of stars, ’80s-inspired synth production complemented the track’s discussion of love and what is needed in a partner.
Everything Glows is made to be listened to at night; with slow, melodic production and Joy’s sweet, soothing vocals, the release represents unwinding after a long day and bittersweet introspection.
“Carousel,” a catchy, disco-inspired single that comments on the desire to hold onto and please a romantic partner, is no exception. The track’s effect was immediate on the audience: Whoever was not dancing before began to sway and sing. One set of lyrics in particular — “The heart, the beat, the drums, the bass / A love, a lust, a catch, a chase / I want you in a hundred ways” — rhythmic, spoken words that are distinct from the flowing, melodious nature of the rest of the song, captured the audience’s attention. The song transported audiences elsewhere before the chorus returned them to the stage in a transcendental state.
The juxtaposition of emotions evoked by Cannons’ songs — the calm easiness of their production and poignant reminiscence poised by their lyrics — is what ultimately brings audiences together. Cannons’ performance was a reminder to look for the joy in every situation and that every night will soon turn into day.
It seemed, however, that audiences never wanted this particular night to end. As Cannons transitioned into the final third of their set, Joy shared how much her relationship with artistry and music has changed in the past 10 years she’s been in the industry. This journey included finding her bandmates in a Craigslist ad, creating music remotely and now touring together across the nation.
This reminder of the performance’s upcoming end brought the audience closer together as they transitioned away from enjoying the songs individually and became a united collective. “Take Me to Tokyo” was the perfect track for this change in mood as phone flashlights lit up the dark night sky.
The night for Cannons fans ended on a high note with “Fire for You,” the band’s 2019 breakthrough single. The audience stood and swayed together, allowing themselves to be lost in the dream that was Cannons’ set one last time before their return to reality. But if Cannons’ songs are any indication, there will be more of these carefree moments in the future.
