Stephen Sanchez | Tors
Manchester Academy
6th May 20206
Over the past few years, Stephen Sanchez has emerged at the forefront of popular culture with a timeless sound. Barely in his twenties, the singer-songwriter enchants audiences everywhere his music is heard. His breakout single Until I Found You went multi-platinum, catapulting into the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100, generating over 2 billion streams. On the 8th of May, Stephen released his sophomore album, “Love, Love, Love”, a record characterised by swoony, reverbed 50s/60s grooves, carrying the lineage of his classic roots while stepping confidently into a vivid, modern new era. On the week of his album release, Sanchez gave Manchester a peek behind the curtain.
Support for the tour comes from Tors. Hailing from Devon, the three-piece indie-folk outfit do what all good support acts should do. They play a tight set of tracks, underlined by stories and chat from the lead singer, Matt Weedon, with room for crowd participation that altogether raises the mood. Quite cleverly, aware of Sanchez’s online virality and the world we now live in, a huge cardboard QR code sits at the side of the stage for fans to scan and check the boys out further.
Stephen Sanchez explodes onto the stage with It Might Be Love. A short, quick snippet of indie pop that sets the scene for the night. Sanchez’s stagecraft instantly shines through, with the bright and energetic tones of the opener making way for Sweet Love. Driven by strong, impactful drums, Sweet Love coaxes the nights first bit of movement into the crowd. With the first two tracks hailing from Sanchez’s new album, Love Love Love, it also affirms his confidence in his new material.
In a short period, Sanchez has developed a sound unique to him. While a key skill for any musician, overthinking and worrying about maintaining a certain sound can sometimes lead to songs sounding formulaic and contrived. However, this isn’t a problem for Sanchez. Tonight, he plays with genres and styles at will without conceding his distinct sound. Evangeline encapsulates this sentiment. A comparatively slower song to the opening few tracks before it, Evangeline is an elegant and tasteful modern-day take on a 60s downtempo ballad.
Another prominent element of Sanchez’s show tonight is the importance of his band. With each song, they set the mood, lay the foundations and allow Sanchez’s exquisite vocals to flourish. Central to the operation is the trumpet playing, which, when featured, steals the show. Masterfully played, its presence in Doesn’t Do Me Any Good is bold, but not overbearing, resonant, yet sharp and a highlight of the night.
Amongst the combination of classics and new material is what Sanchez describes to the adoring fans as “new new material”. A short acoustic interlude with only Sanchez and a guitar unpacks the intrigue. Only two weeks old and for a “secret project”, the song feels fresh and inspired, a little rough around the edges, but with the capacity to be a future fan favourite. This is amplified by the audience clapping along, seemingly already in love with the new song.
Sanchez, clearly at ease with just a guitar and the audience, lays bare the extravagance of his show so far, asking for the lights to be cut and the crowd to be silent as he begins another acoustic beauty. An emotive song, the moment captures the indelible link between Sanchez and his fans. While Sanchez presents a clear image through his outfits, stage design and all-around artistry, here his music rightly takes centre stage, highlighting the real reason why so many are drawn to him.
The band returns to the stage and pick up where they left off with The Pool. A breathtaking piece of music, the song showcases the best of Sanchez’s vocals. Like any singer, songwriter, Sanchez is keen to highlight his influences and inspirations, effortlessly dropping in a little bit of The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done towards the outro of the song.
The climax of the night comes when Sanchez delivers Until I Found You. A 50s-esque track about healing and heartbreak, it’s clear from the audience’s reaction that there’s overwhelming love for the song. The crowd sing every word back, as Sanchez rises to the occasion. The moment is moving and feels personal, and while most in attendance tonight were drawn here by this song, the night is about so much more.
From track to track, Sanchez delivers relatable stories through classy musicianship that gives space for the instrumentation to glisten. In doing so, the audience is treated to a carefully crafted show, full of inspiring and unforgettable moments.
Please note: Use of these images in any form without permission is illegal. If you wish to contact the photographer, please email: mudkissphotos@gmail.com. © Melanie Smith / Mudkiss Photos All rights reserved
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Stephen Sanchez can be found at his website | Facebook | X | Instagram
Words by Alex Nuttall – this is Alexs first review for Louder Than War
All photos by Melanie Smith – Louder Than War | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Portfolio
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