Nashville-born Stephen Sanchez is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Northern California with a voice that feels like it belongs to another era. His sound pulls from classic pop crooners such as Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Platters, and The Ink Spots, and he wears that influence naturally, not as a gimmick. Though rooted in the sounds of the 50s and 60s, he brings his own perspective and emotional sincerity to that era’s spirit, making it feel entirely his own.
In 2022, his ballad “Until I Found You” changed everything. It took off on social media and earned him a deal with Republic Records. Ahead of the release of his new album, Stephen shared “Love, Love, Love” and “Sweet Love,” the latter arriving with a video co-starring his grandparents, a sweet touch that says a lot about who he is.
The new album follows his 2023 debut, Angel Face, which picked up praise and led him to perform at KOKO in Camden in 2024 as part of the Troubadour Takes Europe Tour.
If you want to feel genuinely optimistic about love, in all its messy, hopeful forms, a Stephen Sanchez concert is the place to be. His latest run ended with a performance at the iconic Roundhouse in Camden, backed by a full band. His trademark 60s and 70s nostalgia made a triumphant return, pulling the crowd out of the present entirely. His lyrics shift away from materialism and towards genuine connection, the quiet power of being truly understood.
At the Roundhouse, he channelled the spirit of a golden age through a voice so rich and velvety it seemed to arrive from another century, inspired by men who understood that a song, delivered with enough conviction, could stop time.
Meeting him briefly backstage, and despite his young age, he came across as an old, charming soul whose warmth and energy mirror the songs he writes and the generosity he extends to his fans. A Polaroid photograph, duly autographed, felt like the only fitting memento for an artist like him.
He opened with “It Might Be Love” before moving into “Sweet Love,” “Emotional Vacation,” and “Chuck The Money.” “Only Girl,” “Evangeline,” and “OOO Baby (I Love You)” kept the momentum going, followed by “Forgetting Your Kiss,” “Dance Away The Music,” “Doesn’t Do Me Any Good,” and “No One Knows.”
In between loving ballads that showcased his vocal ability and flair for retro sound, punctuated by trumpet solos, he made a “declaration of love” of another kind, announcing that he is finishing a third album and promising a return to London within two years. He will, of course, be back sooner than that, appearing at the Capital Summertime Ball before heading to New Zealand and Australia.
He then followed with “Love, Love, Love,” while “Home To Mother” rounded out the middle stretch before he debuted two new songs, “Help Me Run” and “Phone Line.” He then moved into “The Pool” and “Don’t Let Me Go,” before “Shake” and the TikTok viral favourite “Until I Found You,” the song through which so many first discovered him.
He closed the night with “High,” and by that point, he and his band had the crowd in full unison, dressed in nostalgic attire spanning sparkling jumpsuits to polka dot dresses. It was truly beautiful to witness families, friends, and couples brought together in an atmosphere filled with love and heartfelt emotion.
Stephen’s charisma, smooth tone, and natural ease on stage held the Roundhouse in a trance, dance moves and all.
For an artist still so early in his career, he keeps hitting goals, and the only question is just how far this music will travel. Personally, I believe a long way.
Love, Love, Love is out now. Follow via @stephensanchezofficial
Words and photography by Hanane Zahrouni
