Stephen Sanchez - Live in Salt Lake City
From head-banging fans to proposals in the stands, the Stephen Sanchez concert in Sandy, Utah on September 21, 2024 had it all. Sanchez returned to Salt Lake for the third time within about a year and a half for a sold out show of the Live From The Connie Co Show tour. Both artists, The Brook and The Bluff and Stephen Sanchez, brought their best energy and performances to Salt Lake, calling it “one of the loudest shows on this tour.” The entire show was accompanied by a 1950s-60s style talk show vibe, including a host throughout the entire night that truly added to the experience of the show.
Opening on this leg of the tour is Nashville based band The Brook and The Bluff. This band was the perfect way to open the show. They were full of life and they’re music was beautiful to hear. The Brook and The Bluff started off with their song Off the Lawn. This song felt like a great opening choice, upbeat, while still being chill enough for a just arriving audience. The Brook and The Bluff provided beautiful vocal and musical performances and their warm presence made it easy to get up and dance alongside them. The band’s set was so engaging and interactive. The band even encouraged the audience to participate in a two-step dance during their last song. It was a great way to get the crowd up on their feet and excited for the next set.
It then came time for Stephen Sanchez’s set. As a first time listener and viewer, I have to say that I loved every second of this show. Sanchez’s set began with an introduction from our host of The Connie Co Show, portrayed by Austin Cain. The entire show really and truly felt like you were in the live studio audience of an old talk show, it was a really incredible experience. To add to the ambience, they had lights set up shaped like large production cameras as well as interviews and games with Sanchez throughout the set.
When Stephen Sanchez first entered the stage, the entire venue was filled with roaring applause and cheers from fans. The energy at Sandy Amphitheater was truly infectious as Sanchez opened with his hit song Evangeline off of his 2023 album Angel Face. Sanchez has an absolutely beautiful voice and range, not just his singing, but speaking voice as well. I believe every person in there could listen to his voice forever, I know I could. Along with Evangeline, Sanchez and his band graced the crowd with other hit songs such as Only Girl, Emotional Vacation and hit covers of the songs Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Oh, Pretty Woman. Also included with introductions by Mr. Connie himself were two new songs entitled What Love Did To Us, one I cannot wait to listen to on repeat upon release, and Still Burning. All the love and excitement in the air was amplified by a proposal in the crowd during the song The Pool and even Sanchez was beside himself with joy.
Towards the end of the show, Sanchez took the sound booth in the middle of the crowd to get closer to his beloved fans. He gave an incredible and lively performance from the crowd while his band played. After returning to the stage, Sanchez finished out the show with his song Shake, the energy was so high that he even ended up jumping back into the crowd to finish the show with his fans.
Overall the Elvis-esque performer blew my mind. Stephen Sanchez is 1000% not to be missed. There is so much thought and care put into every show, from the stage design, to the setlist, to the outfit of choice. I feel so truly honored to get to photograph and review such an incredible event. This is a performer that you should not miss when he passes through your city, truly incredible.
Check out the full live gallery here!