Under the burning fuchsia palm trees, music trio Cannons rose to the stage draped head to toe in shimmering garments for their sold-out DC show. The sweet eager hums swelled throughout the 9:30 Club as red light flares magnified the deep beats of the Heartbeat Highway Tour. 

Born in 2013, Cannons geared up for their 10th-year anniversary tour in honor of their next unreleased album, Heartbeat Highway. Composed of lead singer Michelle Joy, guitarist Ryan Clapham, and Keyboard and bassist Paul Davis, the three spectacularly deliver a dreamy, retro vibe to the world’s most popular genre. Though a sporadically rainy night, Cannons brought scorching heat to the capital’s soaked streets. 

The two opening sets from Austin’s Jane Leo and Australia’s Two Another drew bodies snug towards center stage. But what really magnetized fans was the winding plot of Cannons’ relationship odyssey- from first flames of love, to heartache and everything in between. Across three released albums and one on the way, the band managed to fit 19 intricate songs into a little over an hour set.

At the first note cast from Shadows, the DMV grew spellbound with their initial taste of modern Californian 80’s synth-pop. Under the deep sea blues of fluorescent lights, Cannons visually and emotionally emitted a somber tone for their unreleased song, Can You Feel My Heart. Lead singer Joy enlightened audience on its backstory- the failure to leave a relationship much after it’s due. After snapping to the beat of Love Chained amongst pink and purple hues, the band showcased Sweeter depicting a breakable goodbye. 

The crowd’s energy was palpable as the hypnotic vibrations paired with Joy’s twist and twirls prompted tremendous roars. Her dance moves intertwined effortlessly amid each sunken bass note and groovy guitar rift. Along the curated fever dream, smash hits like Hurricane, Bad Dream, and Purple Sun soothed ears. Scouring their discography, sensations Bright Lights and Talk Talk from Shadows charmed the hearts and souls of the thousands gazing up stage. 

Midway through the set, the mood softened with the onset of acoustic Lightning. Joy sat center stage on a tiny stool, which she claimed looked bigger online but arrived too late before the tour. After, another surprise treat was gifted to the crowd. Woven between renowned favorites, tour catalyst and upcoming album title track, Heartbeat Highway, presented a nectarous aura of the anticipated project. 

Teetering from tender to lively in a major tone shift, Joy described a grief-stricken woman who was put through a tumultuous relationship. “Her give a f*cks broke and her f*ck you’s became fully functional,” she said kicking off Ruthless. Returning back to the happy-go-lucky hypnotic sparks of new romance, the band presented the final taste of the new project- It’s You.

Of course, before the night expired, Loving You lined venue walls. As time slipped past the crowds’ swaying bodies, chart-topper Fire For You finally struck, signaling curtain call. Just when fan’s delight grew dim with the lights, the band’s return blazed a rousing ovation. 

“Alright you guys want some more music?? We got two more songs for you,” said Joy between strepitous claps. First, latest single Desire swirled eardrums over beaming yellow and rapturous red glimmers. Then, wrapping the night in a lush illusion, Cannons closed with Evening Star, their decade year old single. 

Though existing in modern day and age, Cannons indisputably creates a vintage and timeless perception of pop music. With their own unique twist, the band further promotes a tasteful utilization of past melodic elements. Their undeniable passion, breathtaking visuals and lights, and striking stage presence are only some of the many reasons to attend their next show.