It’s not every night you get two acts that feel so different on paper but end up fitting together seamlessly in practice. That was the magic of the Afterglow Tour stop at The Anthem, where Cannons and Bob Moses created a shared atmosphere that moved effortlessly between hazy dream-pop and pulsing electronic intensity. The result was a slow-build journey, with each act leaning into its strengths while complementing the overall emotional tone of the evening at The Anthem.
On April 15, Cannons played first with a set that felt instantly transportive. Michelle Joy’s vocals floated above the crowd with that signature airy cool, never forced, always controlled. From the jump, the band leaned into the sleek, nocturnal vibe that’s become their calling card. Tracks like “Fire for You” (from 2019 sophomore album Shadows) and “Bad Dream” (from 2022’s Fever Dream) landed exactly where you’d want them to — met with a kind of collective sway from the audience that felt more like drifting than dancing.
Watch the official music video for “Fire for You” by Cannons on YouTube:
What stood out most was how tightly Cannons curated their pacing. They didn’t rush into peaks; instead, they let songs breathe. Guitar textures shimmered, basslines pulsed subtly underneath, and the lighting design mirrored that mood — soft washes of light that never overpowered the music. (Guitarist Ryan Clapham gave the music just enough swagger without being overwhelming; drummer Paul Davis missed this tour date on the mend in the hospital! Get well soon, Paul.) It made even their more upbeat tracks feel intimate, like the entire venue had been pulled into a late-night drive somewhere along the coast.
By the time Cannons closed their set, the crowd was fully locked into their wavelength — a steady, hypnotic calm that set the stage perfectly for what came next.
If Cannons built the mood, Bob Moses took that foundation and expanded it into something bigger and louder. When the deep house duo hit the stage, the energy shifted immediately — not jarringly, but decisively. The low-end hit harder, the beats carried more urgency, and the visuals intensified to match.
Bob Moses thrives in that live space between a DJ set and a rock performance, and that hybrid approach was on full display. Tracks like “Tearing Me Up” (from 2015’s Days Gone By) and “Enough to Believe” (from 2018’s Battle Lines) stretched out, evolving beyond their recorded versions into something more dynamic. The percussion drove forward, synths layered in waves, and the crowd responded in kind — less swaying now, more movement, more release.
Watch the official music video for “Enough to Believe” by Bob Moses on YouTube:
What makes Bob Moses so compelling live is their sense of control within that expansiveness. Even at their most high-energy moments, nothing felt chaotic. Each build had intention, each drop felt earned. Songs blended into one another with a fluidity that kept momentum high without sacrificing clarity. It was a masterclass in pacing — a steady escalation that turned The Anthem into something closer to a late-night club than a traditional concert venue.
And yet, there were moments of surpise too, like an intense cover of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails!
Together, Cannons leaned into atmosphere and restraint, Bob Moses into rhythm and release, but both operated with a clear sense of identity. It’s easy to imagine a pairing like this feeling disjointed. Instead, it felt intentional.
Looking back, it also made the early portion of the night feel even more intentional. Oxis, who opened the show, set the tone in a way that became clearer as the evening unfolded. Her set, whimsically dedicated to songs concerning fish and sealife, also demonstrated excellent electronic craft. Her use of steady grooves, layered synths, and gradual builds primed the room, easing the crowd into the kind of headspace both headliners would expand on in different ways. Appropriately, Oxis also opened Magdalena Bay at The Anthem last fall!
Watch the official music video for “Long Sardine x Kids” by Oxis on YouTube:
Oxis also surprised, breaking up her aquatically themed set with a chill cover of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. The lady contains multitudes!
Here are some photos of Cannons performing live at The Anthem on April 15, 2026. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
Here are some photos of Bob Moses performing live at The Anthem on April 15, 2026. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
And here are some photos of Oxis opening the night!
