Cannons Soundtrack a Summer Sunset at Edgefield
Words & photos by Jenny Shackleton
As the sun dipped toward the horizon at McMenamins Edgefield on July 15, Cannons delivered the kind of golden-hour set that felt tailor-made for a warm summer evening in Troutdale. Performing as part of a co-headlining bill with Bob Moses, the Los Angeles dream-pop outfit filled the venue’s expansive lawn with shimmering synths and irresistible grooves. From the grassy hillside to the front rail, fans swayed and danced as waves of bass reverberated across the grounds, creating a hypnotic atmosphere that matched the glow of the setting sun.
Cannons arrived in Oregon riding the momentum of Everything Glows, a record that showcases the band’s continued evolution while retaining the cinematic, danceable sound that has earned them a devoted following. At Edgefield, that sound translated beautifully to the outdoor setting. Michelle Joy’s ethereal vocals floated effortlessly above pulsing rhythms and shimmering guitar textures, giving the songs an almost dreamlike quality while never losing their infectious energy. With the crowd spread across the lawn, the performance felt both intimate and expansive at the same time.
The setlist balanced newer material with fan favorites, opening a strong run that included “Loving You,” “Starlight,” “Hurricane,” and “Carousel.” “Heartbeat Highway” and “These Nights” were standout moments, while “Purple Sun” and “Up All Night” transformed the lawn into a giant dance floor. Throughout the performance, Cannons demonstrated a remarkable ability to blend disco shimmer, indie-pop melodies, and electronic textures into something that feels effortless. The low-end pulse carried across the venue as hundreds of fans danced along beneath the fading daylight.
By the end of the evening, Cannons had fully seized one of the most enviable performance slots of the summer. Sharing the bill with Bob Moses and playing during Edgefield’s most picturesque hour, the group delivered a set that felt perfectly in sync with its surroundings. The closing stretch, anchored by the breakthrough hit “Fire for You,” brought a euphoric response from the crowd, with voices rising in unison as daylight gave way to dusk. It was a performance that captured everything Cannons do best: atmospheric, stylish, and endlessly danceable.
Paige Fulkerson is a 35mm concert photographer, writer, and assistant editor for Indie/Alt Magazine. Through Indie/Alt Mag, she expresses her unconditional love for live music and photography while learning and growing as she goes. Outside of Indie/Alt Mag,  she is a Journalism major with a concentration in Photojournalism and an Art minor at the University of Oregon. 🎞
Jenny Shackleton (she/her) is a photographer based in Portland, OR, originally hailing from Philadelphia, PA. Her love for live music started over 15 years ago after seeing the Jonas Brothers perform on their Burning Up tour in 2008 and the rest is history. As a naturally shy person, it’s surprising she feels so comfortable at concerts with hundreds of people attending, but has always believed that they are special, somewhat liminal, spaces. Everyone is there for the same reason: to have the best night and see artists pour their souls’ onto the stage. That is what Jenny likes to capture in her photos. Jenny enjoys spending time outside with her partner and their dog, watching movies, and owning way too many sneakers.