I still remember the first time I encountered Stephen Sanchez. I was scrolling through TikTok and a video with Sanchez in a hospital room waiting for his doctor came up on my feed captioned: “POV: You’ve been sick 37 times this year, but the 1950s love song you wrote is helping pay all the medical bills.” That was the first time I heard “Until I Found You,” finding it so sonically interesting, due to its modern approach to a 1950s love song, that I exited the TikTok app and downloaded it to my phone. Little did I know then that it would become one of my most streamed songs of 2022. 

Later that year, Stephen Sanchez would join the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X as artists whose musical careers were propelled by TikTok because of its ability to garner attention through trending sounds. Sanchez’s “Until I Found You” became a trending sound and within a year he saw approximately eight hundred and fifteen thousand videos create content using his song for millions to hear. Following the popularity of his single, Sanchez would release an EP, Easy On My Eyes, which highlighted his soft, serenading voice accompanied by emotional lyrics describing love and devotion. 

Following the EP’s release as well as a small tour, Stephen began the rollout of his debut album “Angel Face” which released in September of this year. The 13-track album follows a fictional story taking place in the 1950s of Troubadour Sanchez and his love affair with Evangeline, the girlfriend of a mob boss named Hunter. The album embraces the modernized 50’s sound that made “Until I Found You” a success and progresses in an almost cinematic fashion, with Stephen’s character first falling in love with and planning to run away with Evangeline, only to be killed by Hunter in “Death Of The Troubadour.” The concept album has made for one of the most creative releases this year and has offered fans, through Stephen’s 2023 tour, a chance to participate in a romanticized version of a 1950’s style tour. 

Stephen Day

Oakland’s Fox Theater was host to a Stephen double-feature on Saturday November fourth for “The Troubadour Stephen Sanchez! In Person” Tour with Stephen Day opening for Stephen Sanchez. Day’s act of songs consisted of a mixture of alternative, country, and folk sounds and were a perfect compliment to Stephen Sanchez’s set later that night. Stephen Day distinguished his set with artistically raspy vocals and enthusiastic audience interactions. Highlights of his performances included having the audience call back to him shouting “Hey, Stephen Day” as well as the performance of “All Because of You” which had some audience members mesmerized to the point where they continued to sing the song after he was done performing it.

Stephen Sanchez’s set was in all aspects a beautiful homage to the 50’s. He came out in a shroud of light wearing a polka dot suit with slick-backed hair to fans screaming in anticipation of the moment he started to sing his opening track “Something About Her.” Following the performance of the song with only his silhouette visible in the shroud of light, the lights lifted and he guided the audience through the rest of the show, occasionally pausing between songs to provide a narration of Troubadour and Evangeline’s love story. Enchanting vocals embraced the audience withevery performance done by Sanchez but his vocals were especially remarkable on “Doesn’t Do Me Any Good,” “Be More,” and “High,” each with their own respective high notes. Sanchez didn’t seem to opt for any chance to sing in a lower octave, either matching or exceeding the performance of each song’s studio version. Stephen’s dancing also contributed to his stellar performance. During “Shake,” the most 50’s-esque song from the album, Sanchez was dancing and singing in such a captivating way that was reminiscent of Elvis. Sanchez closed out the concert with his hit “Until I Found You,” singing arm-in-arm with his band. 

Sanchez is undoubtedly a great performer, and his show at the Fox Theater proved that once again, but what sets him apart from every other artist on tour right now is his interactions with fans and the community he creates at his shows. His crowd work was remarkable. During a cover of “Pretty Woman” he walked across the stage to sing directly to a fan. At another point in the night, following his performance of “Shake” a fan handed him a fringed cowboy hat, which he thanked them for and proceeded to wear while he sung “High.” Towards the end of the show, Sanchez abruptly paused his song  having seen a crowd member saying that they were too hot, giving them his personal water bottle. After this, he paused before resuming the song to remark how the Fox Theater was in his words “the biggest show we’ve ever had ever.” With an audience of 2,900 people, he appeared grateful and humble for everyone that was in attendance. 

Both Stephens were a sight to see that night, but they were not the only ones who shone bright that Saturday night. The fans went all out. Prior to going on tour, Stephen Sanchez invited everyone to come dressed in their best 50’s inspired outfits. At his previous stops he had been selecting the two best-dressed fans to meet him following his performance, which only made fans that much more dedicated to showing up on theme. Two pairs in particular, one friends and the other newlyweds, dressed up for the occasion and reflected the beautiful community that Stephen Sanchez’s music created. The two people who were interviewed and invited backstage to meet Stephen were adorned in jewels that covered their outfits, surrounded their eyes, and were strung in their hair. I had the chance to talk with them and they said that in order to be at the barricade for the concert they had left from their home at nine o’clock in the morning and were lined up at the venue since noon. Their excitement once they were told they’d be able to meet Stephen Sanchez was amazing to witness because it expressed the power of live music and artists ability to move people through their music. Another couple, also among the best dressed fans were newlyweds Raven and Miles who had worn their outfits from their wedding three weeks before. The world of the Troubadour made a lasting impact on the Bay Area and every aspect from the performance to the fans made for a perfect night.

Article & Photos by Andrew Zendejas

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