Saturated in glowing lights, Stage AE felt like a portal into a high-end synthwave dream this past weekend. The Afterglow tour brought together a perfect pairing of heavy hitters, featuring the dreamy indie pop of Cannons alongside the moody electronic mastery of Bob Moses. Both bands have spent the last few years solidifying their status as titans of the late-night vibe, with Cannons rising from the Los Angeles underground to global fame and Bob Moses maintaining their reputation as the ultimate bridge between organic songwriting and dance floor grit. This co-headlining run feels like a victory lap for two acts that have defined the modern electropop aesthetic, and the energy in the room suggested the crowd was more than ready to be swept away.
Kicking things off with a dose of raw talent was local Pittsburgh artist James the Seventh, an opener who proved exactly why she belongs on such a massive bill. Her stage presence was immediately captivating as she blended soulful vocal delivery with a modern indie edge that cut like a razor. The crowd warmed up quickly to her relatable lyrics and catchy hooks, with many fans near the front already singing along. Having lived in Pittsburgh for several years, she knew exactly how to get to the Yinzer crowd, and her song “Fuckin Pittsburgh” perfectly captured the love everyone has for this city. She navigated her set with professional ease and indie charm that made the large stage feel intimate, ensuring that by the time her final note rang out, she had gained a whole new legion of followers.
When it was time for Cannons to take the stage, the atmosphere shifted into a beautiful, cinematic landscape that felt pulled straight from a vintage film. The set design was a total standout, featuring a lonely, glowing streetlight and a massive hanging crescent moon, moody evening fog rolling in across the stage floor. While the band felt the absence of Paul Davis due to a recent injury, the remaining members rose to the occasion with incredible grace. Michelle Joy looked absolutely radiant as she commanded the center of the stage, her ethereal vocals floating over the crisp guitar work of Ryan Clapham. Their fill-in drummer covered the gaps seamlessly, keeping the heartbeat of the performance alive even while a key member of their trio was missed.
The music itself was a masterclass in mood, focusing heavily on their brand new album Everything Glows. Songs from the fresh release sounded massive in the live setting, with the shimmering production and groovy basslines hitting much harder than they do on record. “Starlight” felt like shooting stars with its light and magical vibes. “Light As A Feather” painted an incredibly vivid picture of optimism returning after heartbreak. All of the songs absolutely radiated joy and hope through trials and triumphs. Michelle’s voice has this unique ability to sound both delicate and powerful at the same time, especially during the more upbeat tracks that got the whole floor moving. This new material was clearly written with big rooms in mind because the transitions between their classic hits and the new tracks felt completely natural. Every person in the building seemed locked into the same rhythmic trance as the set reached its glittering peak with “Fire for You.”
Bob Moses took over next and immediately cranked up the intensity with a performance that was as sleek as it was high energy. Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance have an undeniable chemistry on stage, controlling the stage with a precision that only comes from years of touring together. They were joined by their full band, creating a wall of sound that felt much larger than a typical electronic duo. The lighting transitioned from the soft glow of the previous set into sharp, pulsing lasers that cut through the remaining haze, signaling a shift into the more club-oriented portion of the evening.
Their setlist was a wild ride through their discography, offering a little bit of everything for the diverse crowd. They started with some of their softer, more melodic soundscapes that built slowly into incredibly groovy jams that had the crowd moving. The real treat of the night came when they leaned into some of their heavier, more industrial sounds, culminating in a blistering cover of the Nine Inch Nails classic “Closer.” Hearing that iconic bassline reimagined through the Bob Moses lens was a highlight of the night, providing a gritty contrast to the smoother moments of the show. By the time the music silenced finished, the Afterglow tour had lived up to its name, leaving the Pittsburgh crowd buzzing with the kind of energy that only a perfect night of music can provide.
April 11th, 2026
