At the first sold-out show of his headline tour, American singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez transported Bristol’s SWX back to a 1950s dream sequence, with his vintage aesthetic and sentimental lyrics evoking a nostalgia in his listeners for a distant past that most of the crowd were not even alive for. The 21-year-old artist from Nashville, USA effortlessly embodies the sense of being a younger individual with an older soul, and his transcendent music evidently reflects that. With a style mirroring Elvis Presley in his prime, Sanchez’s natural talent and charm has influenced him to become quite the modern day heartthrob, so it’s no surprise that I heard someone in the crowd ask him to marry her!
The stylish performer attracted a vast crowd of a variety of ages, from the older generation to younger audiences which is a testament to the timelessness of his retro-inspired sound. It was a truly fantastic experience catching Stephen in Bristol for the first show of his ‘The Troubadour Takes Europe’ Tour, which is named after the fictional character, Troubador Sanchez, whose life is documented within his successful debut album ‘Angel Face.’
Prior to Sanchez gracing Bristol’s stage, Americana-pop artist John Vincent III magnificently kicked off the show and warmed up the crowd in no time. Joined by a four-piece ensemble, Stephen played an array of sensational songs from his debut album, as well as renditions of famous hits such as Roy Orbison’s 1964 tune ‘Oh, Pretty Woman.’ It became very apparent throughout the evening that, whilst Stephen’s style and musical direction are heavily inspired by the fashion and distinct sonics of 1950s/1960s, his artistic approach adds a refreshingly modern twist which fans seem to adore.
Originally gaining popularity through the app TikTok, Stephen attracted a steady following which eventually landed him a record deal with Republic Records. His success thus far has enabled him to perform on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon and even join Elton John on stage at Glastonbury in 2023. The young Nashvillian undeniably stands out from other musicians present in the industry today, as there are few artists whose shows are so visually and audibly enchanting and reminiscent of time gone by. I definitely recommend checking this talented rising star out, as I can see him becoming a household name in the future.
Dan Rose @danrose.uk
Role: Photographer
I’m primarily a photographer for both concerts and festivals, and am also available for BTS photos, portraits, promo shoots and tour photography. I also write the occasional review.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots and Touring
First attended gig: My most memorable early concert experience was seeing Eminem in 2014 at Wembley Stadium. This was a very pivotal moment in my life as it reinforced why I love music so much and reignited my passion for it.
First gig shot: The very first artist I photographed live was the DJ and producer Nathan Dawe at SWX Bristol. This was an incredibly fulfilling start to concert photography, as I was on stage with him during his set, and even hung out backstage afterwards.
Dream gig: My top 5 dream artists to one day photograph would be Eminem, J. Cole, Rod Wave, Jon Bellion, and Logic. One of my favourite artists, Juice WRLD, is sadly no longer alive, and I wish I had had the opportunity to see him perform live and photograph him.
