“We’ve been a band for 10 years now,” Michelle Joy, singer for the LA-based band Cannons, recently told the packed crowd at Rams Head Live! “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had.” And that fun really showed not only on the stage but in the crowd. 

With the release of their most recent album, Heartbeat Highway, in November of last year Cannons have created a body of work that showcases the brilliant pop song craft of the trio of Joy, Ryan Clapham on guitar, and Paul Davis on bass. Buoyed initially by the hit, “Fire for You,” after being featured in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever, Cannons continued pumping out those dance-heavy hits with 2022’s Fever Dream. 

Each subsequent record that Cannons have released builds on the next. They create the kind of music that would be perfect on a late-night ride. A steady beat hiding a bit of melancholy, but not too much. Even though Heartbeat Highway has more of a ’70s / Studio 54 feel to it, Cannons retains that sense of joy with a tinge of sadness. 

Opening the evening on April 4 was Dallas singer-songwriter, Juliana Madrid. I hadn’t heard Madrid before, but her brand of infectious pop had me checking out the handful of EPs that she’s released to date. 

As the lights went down to mark the start of Cannons set, the electronic beat that followed had everyone clapping along as each member of the band took the stage. Joy, taking center stage started on the laidback title track Heartbeat Highway. A mix of dance pop and, dare I say, a little country flare, “Heartbeat Highway” had this crowd groovin’. 

Although, according to Joy, this was Cannons first time playing Baltimore, they took over like they owned the place. And while most of the focus of the set was on the newer album, there were some fan favorites like “Talk Talk” (which has become one of my favorites), “Bad Dream” and the aforementioned smash, “Fire for You.” 

Watch the official music video for “Sweeter” by Cannons on YouTube:

I have to say, Cannons has that perfect combination of style and chops, Clapham’s guitar tone was as smooth as melting butter over top of the bouncing bass and drums from Davis and drummer Ben Hilzinger (who also plays with alternative rockers Eve 6). And as Joy danced along the stage, she reached out to the crowd who just ate it up.

Speaking of the crowd reaction, Cannons is one of those bands where audience participation is a big part of the show. From clapping along, singing along with the chorus of “Crush” or shouting “fuck you” in the chorus of “Ruthless,” (a song that Joy said “needed to be said at the time” of the song’s writing), this was a hands-on show.

Cannons ended their main set with the hit, “Fire for You,” before coming back to the stage to encore with “Desire” and “Evening Star.”

With the start of their North American tour in Baltimore, Cannons continue through the Summer, and it’s not one to sleep on!

The setlist included:

Heartbeat Highway
Bad Dream
Loving You
Talk Talk
Shadows
Can You Feel My Heart
Bright Lights
Hurricane
Ruthless
Love Chained
Come Alive
Sweeter
Crush
Spells
Purple Sun
Fire for You

Encore:
Desire
Evening Star

Here are more photos of Cannons performing at Rams Head Live! in Baltimore on April 4, 2024. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.

And here are photos of Juliana Madrid opening for Cannons at Rams Head Live!