On October 23, fans were transported back to the atomic age for Stephen Sanchez’s “Live From: The Connie Co Show” tour. Connie Co, an emulation of the revered 1950s television host Ed Sullivan, ushered Sanchez, Bebe Stockwell, and The Paper Kites to the MGM Music Hall at Fenway stage.
Opener Bebe Stockwell was the first guest to grace the retro set. Born and raised in Boston, she was proud to make her hometown debut under a single spotlight. Her gentle acoustic guitar strums and effortless vocal flips mesmerized the crowd as she sang through originals like “Call Me By Your Name,” a tribute to the 2018 film, and covers like “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
Like a seasoned host, Connie Co kept the show rolling and the energy high as he invited The Paper Kites to the stage next. “This isn’t our first show in Boston, but it is our biggest,” frontman Sam Bentley declared as the six piece Australian band kicked off their set. Over the past 14 years, the Melbourne sextet has released six studio albums with notable tracks like “Paint” and “For All You Give.” However, their song “Bloom” still remains their most resonant track. Like a perennial, the song has found new life every few years, most recently thanks to TikTok. However, a 15 second clip compressed through phone speakers will never compare to how the harmonies and banjo strums sounded when echoing through MGM.
Stephen Sanchez also found success on the short form video app with his song “Until I Found You.” The record about hopeless romance not only caught the attention of app users, but also captured the attention of Sanchez’s peers. Elton John even invited Sanchez to sing with him at Glastonbury, introducing him with, “I couldn’t believe that someone of only 19 or 20 years of age could write or sing a song like this.”
In 2023, Sanchez unveiled his stage persona “The Troubadour Sanchez” on his album Angel Face. A manifestation of Sanchez’s old soul, the fictional musician found fame in 1958 with “Until I Found You,” and got swept up in a forbidden love affair with Evangeline in 1964. 59 years later, “The Troubadour Sanchez” is blowing off the dust and shining up his spats for an appearance on The Connie Co show.
“What a pair we make. I think the Red Sox colors look good on me,” Sanchez teased as he came out swinging with his band The Mooncrests. His nostalgic tone, reminiscent of Roy Orbison, carried through the 5000 seat venue as he crooned through a 19 song setlist.
Like a modern day Elvis, Sanchez knows how to work the crowd and make them swoon. For a cover of Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” Sanchez descended into the pit to kiss hands and look longingly into the eyes of his adoring fans.
Between songs, Connie Co invited Sanchez over for an interview to find out how he felt about being dubbed as “Sexy Sanchez” and why he made the decision to add a dice tattoo to his collection while in Boston. Stage lights were disguised as studio cameras giving the full television studio effect.
As the show reached its end, Sanchez briefly disappeared before reemerging with a fringed Red Sox jersey to perform “Until I Found You” as a duet with Stockwell.
To experience “The Troubadour Sanchez” in a city near you, visit https://www.stephensanchezofficial.com/tour/#/
