Cannons in Pittsburgh

About Cannons

Cannons is an LA-based synth-pop duo that emerged in the mid-2010s with a sound caught between 80s new wave nostalgia and contemporary electronic pop. They built a devoted following through a series of self-released singles that showcased their particular gift for building tension in four-on-the-floor arrangements—tracks like 'Fire' and 'Heartbreaker' layer breathy vocals over crystalline synth lines and brooding basslines that hit different in a dark club versus a daytime playlist. Their production style is deliberately restrained, favoring space and atmosphere over maximalism. By the late 2010s they'd refined a formula that felt both introspective and physical, with songs built for both late-night listening and dancing alone in your room. Cannons never quite broke through to mainstream recognition despite the quality of their output, but they've maintained a steady presence in the electronic pop underground, releasing material that shows genuine evolution without chasing trends.

Their shows are intimate and precise, anchored by synth work that demands attention. Crowds tend to be respectfully locked in rather than rowdy. The energy is hypnotic more than euphoric—people actually quiet down to listen rather than talk through it.

Known for Fire, Heartbreaker, Bad Dream, Loving You, Purple

Cannons + Pittsburgh

Cannons rolled through Pittsburgh in June 2024 at the Roxian Theatre, delivering a setlist that leaned into the hypnotic side of their synth-pop catalog. They opened with the propulsive "Heartbeat Highway" and worked through deeper cuts like "Shadows" and "Spells" alongside more immediate tracks like "Crush" and "Fire for You." The band closed with "Evening Star," a fitting anchor for a show that felt less about radio hits and more about the textured, atmospheric production that defines their sound. It was the kind of setlist that rewarded people who'd actually listened to their records.

Cannons in Pittsburgh News

• Cannons and Bob Moses Announce Co-Headline 2026 ‘Afterglow Tour’ That Eric Alper · Nov 4, 2025
• CANNONS and Bob Moses Plot Co-Headlining North American Tour Exclaim! · Nov 3, 2025
• Cannons And Bob Moses Teaming Up For The Afterglow Tour antiMusic · Nov 3, 2025
• Large fire destroys Squirrel Hill apartments: See the video from Sky 4 WTAE · Sep 9, 2025
• AC/DC thunders through classics in Power Up tour stop in Pittsburgh TribLIVE.com · May 9, 2025

Live Music in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's music infrastructure has always favored rock and hip-hop, but the city's indie and electronic scenes have quietly built something credible. The Roxian and similar mid-size venues have become reliable stops for synth-pop and electronic acts who've outgrown smaller clubs but don't need arenas. Cannons fit naturally into that ecosystem—moody, melodic, and built for rooms where you can actually hear the production.

Pittsburgh road trip to see Cannons?

Stay in Lawrenceville—the neighborhood's got real character now, tree-lined streets with actual restaurants instead of chains. Book a table at Smallman Galley or Legume for proper food. Spend an afternoon at the Heinz History Center learning about the city's actual past, not the sanitized version. Walk through the Strip District, grab coffee at La Prima, and check out independent record shops. The Duquesne Incline offers views worth the minimal effort. This is a city that knows how to take itself seriously without being pretentious about it.