The Cannery Ballroom, capacity 1,000, is the ground-floor music venue that’s existed under various names for decades now, hosting concerts, weddings and even worship services, at the historic, multi-story building at 1 Cannery Row. While we sadly count down to the forced move of this beloved independent venue in summer 2022, along with the upstairs Mercy Lounge and High Watt rooms, we chose to elevate just 10 of the thousands of events that have rocked our worlds at The Cannery. Listen 👇🏼 to the November 11 #ThematicStatic and marvel below at other artists listeners have seen there over the years.
#ThematicStatic Playlist
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – “How Long Do I Have to Wait” – My mom came down for this show in May 2010, which was just days after the record flood and served as an uplifting few hours after collective grieving for the city. Openers Fitz & The Tantrums also brought the joy.
Sonic Youth “Purr” – One listener/WNXP Instagram follower said he saw Sonic Youth with openers The Jesus Lizard in 1990, the same year he saw The Ramones at Cannery. #WINNER
Rüfüs Du Sol – “Make it Happen” – This is a new song, but it was in 2017 that Jordan saw this artist in the ballroom.
Lily Allen – “LDN” – Wow, I bet this was fun to hear live at Cannery, like Anna got to do in 2018.
The Church – “Reptile” – Carrie caught this classic, Australian new wave band back in 1988. (When I Google the venue name with “the church,” some nondenominational religious opportunities come up and not a setlist. But that’s cool, too.)
Metric – “Breathing Underwater” – Andy caught the electropop duo at Cannery Ballroom in 2010. Watch 👇🏼 the official video for this tune off their 2012 record Synthetica:
IDLES – “Car Crash” – We debuted this new single on New Music Experience after hosting the rowdy but polite U.K. dudes in our Sonic Cathedral (stop everything and watch the session plus interview, if you’ve not yet), which was the day of their sold-out and completely bonkers Cannery show cited by our own Emily Young, visitor from Kentucky Drew, Matt and IG user Safari Room as a favorite.
The Breeders – “Divine Hammer” – Katy caught this legendary band on maybe their 2013 or their 2018 tour that stopped at Cannery Row, rad!
Deerhunter – “Agoraphobia” – These experimental Atlanta rockers, requested by Vince and Emily, opened for The Breeders at that 2013 show, then WNXP favorite Faye Webster opened for them when Deerhunter headlined Cannery in 2019.
Bahamas – “Lost in the Light” – Sam found light in the darkness of the ballroom during this Canadian songwriter’s 2018 set.
Other Wow-worthy Cannery Acts
Some more bands and artists, and their requesters:
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Duncan
Blood Orange – Zach
OMD – Kristin
Taking Back Sunday – Jacob
Shakey Graves – WPLN Editor Tony Gonzalez shared a memory from this artist’s Cannery 2015 show via voice memo, and it includes audio captured on his phone of a good old-fashioned guitar smashin’. Listen👇🏼!
Ghostland Observatory – Anna
Noah Gunderson – Ele
Imogen Heap – Andy
Will Hoge – Paul
Mt. Joy – Mel
In case you missed it this spring, I spoke with Cannery/Mercy/High Watt owner Todd Olhauser on their plan for reopening during COVID-19. Read our interview here. And then go support these venues while you still can just off 8th Ave S., like perhaps at an upcoming Cannery Show on this list:
Caroline Polacheck – 11/24
Allen Stone – 1/10
The Staves – 2/16 (Their newest LP Good Woman was an early 2021 #RecordoftheWeek!)
Parquet Courts – 3/4