Cannons in Providence

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 in Providence News

• Fort Providence under evacuation alert, Jean Marie River back on evacuation notice CBC · Aug 31, 2025
• Come Aboard Tall Ship Providence for a Sail Through History thezebra.org · May 8, 2024
• Cannons, mortars and more: A look through this Drumore Township museum [video] LancasterOnline · Nov 23, 2019
• Foley Hopes to Be a Role Model for Other African-American Players USA Hockey · Feb 1, 2017
• Moon rocks, Civil War cannons, artworks and more at gorgeous R.I. State House The Providence Journal · Jan 15, 2014

Live Music in Providence

Providence has a scrappy indie rock tradition, but the city's electronic music appetite has grown quietly. There's an appreciation here for thoughtful production and layered songwriting that Cannons should tap into. The venue matters more than the city's genre leanings—intimate rooms tend to suit their controlled intensity better than sprawling spaces.

Providence road trip to see Cannons?

Stay in College Hill, where you can actually walk around without feeling like you're in a dead zone—the neighborhood has real restaurants and bars. Eat at Chez Pascal or Oberlin for something serious. Before the show, spend an afternoon at the RISD Museum, which is legitimately excellent and free if you're a student or cheap enough if you're not. The museum's collection is small enough to actually process in a couple hours, which beats most cities. Walk down Benefit Street afterward. It's the kind of place that reminds you why people actually used to settle in New England intentionally.