Stephen Sanchez in Oakland: Theatrical storytelling by a real troubadour

When the lights dimmed in Fox Theater, fog creeped onto the stage as singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez took the highlight. In the course of the Oakland live performance on Saturday, Sanchez immersed the viewers in a fascinating musical narrative.

Sanchez was concurrently the narrator of the love story and essential character of his live performance; together with his sultry voice and emotive expressions, he was extremely current all through. 

The setlist informed a narrative of two star-crossed lovers — Evangeline, the daughter of a mob boss and the topic of the eponymous music “Evangeline,” and a troubadour. The evolution of their enamors have been captured by the wistful “One thing About Her,” the tender “I Want You Most of All” and the energetic “Excessive” and “Solely Woman.” 

Tragically, the lovers have been stored aside by their social standings after which finally by loss of life, ending within the music “Dying of the Troubadour.”

Sanchez’s efficiency was as a lot a live performance as a theatrical showcase, solidified by the nontraditional live performance venue and parts of set and lighting design. Throughout “Solely Woman,” lights from reverse ends of the stage flashed in alternation to light up one facet of Sanchez’s face at a time, creating a shocking sight. For extra somber numbers like “Ship My Coronary heart With a Kiss,” the stage was bathed in lights of sentimental pastels as Sanchez regarded out into the viewers, face filled with feeling.

Sanchez’s uncooked shows of emotion by his singing, significantly evident in ballads “One thing About Her” and his most well-known “Till I Discovered You,” have been significantly spectacular. He captivated the viewers together with his use of dynamics. He had a unprecedented skill to change between soft-singing within the intros and outros and hovering excessive notes in passionate moments. 

In additional energetic numbers, the ground shook because the viewers stomped their toes. Many’s pleasure appeared to have begun lengthy earlier than the live performance. Some have been wearing Fifties vogue to match Sanchez’s costume fashion, which was harking back to Elvis’ period and Fifties “Greasers.” Hair slicked again, Sanchez pranced throughout the stage in a cultured black blazer layered over a white shirt.

Having celebrated his birthday the day earlier than, Sanchez had his household on the venue to assist him. He launched them as the primary viewers for his music, discovering them by his request or by chance. He then known as his listeners his relations. Sanchez confirmed take care of his followers all through the live performance, even stopping one in all his numbers to get an viewers member some water.

Very like the troubadour captured the guts of Evangeline, Sanchez had his viewers captivated. He crafted a story by which the fictional love story intertwined together with his actual life, and the viewers adopted alongside his journey passionately.

Editor’s Notice: This text is a assessment and consists of subjective ideas, opinions and critiques.