Stephen Sanchez

On 28 April 2026 Stephen Sanchez is scheduled to perform at Melkweg in Amsterdam. The American singer-songwriter, born in Sacramento and based in Nashville, writes romantic ballads with a clear nod to the 1950s and ’60s: rock ’n’ roll as the foundation, orchestral pop for colour, and a voice that occupies a middle ground. In the late 2010s he drew attention with original songs and covers online; in 2020 “Lady by the Sea” put him on the map and was followed by a deal with Republic Records. After that came the EPs What Was, Not Now (2021) and Easy on My Eyes (2022), on which he further honed his vintage sound and melodies.

In 2023 his debut album Angel Face was released, conceived as the story of a fictional crooner. Live, Sanchez translates that universe into a pop show with soul influences, sometimes performing as a duo, sometimes with a band. The set centers on vocals, melody and arrangements that carry the light patina of old American ballads, while still keeping the present moment in view. His collaborations, including Em Beihold, demonstrate an open attitude, but on stage he remains primarily the storyteller of concise love stories. In Amsterdam, songs from Angel Face will sit alongside material from the earlier EPs, with intimate passages alternating with rhythms that hark back to the origins of rock ’n’ roll.