Stephen Sanchez had a career-defining moment when he performed alongside Sir on the Pyramid Stage to close out 2023.
At just 20 years old, the young star – whose debut album Angel Face is set for release later this month – has already achieved something many bands and artists only dream of.
Stephen was one of Sir Elton’sfor the Rocketman star’s last-ever UK performance, along with Rina Sawayama, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and Gabriels star Jacob Lusk.
There were major, major rumours at the time that two of the special guests were set to be , who collaborated with Sir Elton on hit track Hold Me Closer, and , who clinched a number one with the singer for Cold Heart.
It wasn’t to be however – and Nashville native Stephen admits he was relieved.
‘I thought personally that Britney Spears and Dua Lipa were going to be there. That would have been absolutely ridiculous,’ he tells Metro.co.uk.
‘But it was even more ridiculous to have the Gabriels lead singer out there, Brandon Flowers, Rina Sawayama. [Sir Elton is] still honouring these up-and-coming acts as well as bringing out an act who’s had a substantial career – I mean holy s**t, Brandon Flowers, good God that was cool.’
He went on to say it was ‘awesome’ to havethose acts as the other surprise guests as it ‘made me feel so less intimidated than if Britney Spears or Dua Lipa had done it, because I just would have been like “Oh my God, Dua Lipa.”‘
Like the fans, the media and everyone else, Stephen had no idea who the other special guests were until the night itself, and learned The Killers frontman was there in the most Glastonbury way possible.
‘I was literally in the loo next to Elton John’s green room and Brandon Flowers is just in the green room behind the bathroom just singing Tiny Dancer. And I’m just like, peeing. I was like “Oh my God – that is Brandon Flowers of The Killers, and I’m just peeing.”
‘Half the stories from Glastonbury sound like a bunch of BS because it’s just like, so insane. Like Slash gave me a fist bump. Paul McCartney came up and hugged me and said I have pipes. Kate Hudson pinched my cheeks. Cara Delevigne came over and we cheersed our drinks and she said I did a good job. Just stuff like that is so insane and weird and cool.’
The incredible acceleration of his career comes after Sir Elton discovered the star and asked to get in touch, essentially becoming both his friend and mentor, and helping Stephen’s ‘accidental dreams fall into place.’
‘Meeting Elton John, having Elton John like me was so cool, so unreal,’ Stephen says, constantly using Sir Elton’s full name as if he’s still in awe.
‘I remember the day I called the boys in the band and was like “Guys, my publisher just told me Elton John wants to talk to me on the phone.”
‘Glastonbury, being on stage with him at his final show in the UK, that will always be mine, I got to do that with him. That’s the coolest thing ever. I’m going to be like 60, and playing Elton John records for my grandkids like “Back in the day…”‘
The legendary Glastonbury performance saw Stephen join Sir Elton on stage where, rather than perform a duet of one of the icon’s tracks, he performed his original song Until I Found You, with Sir Elton playing the piano.
And, Stephen reveals, he got some backlash for this – but his mentor had given him some solid advice that helped him through it.
‘Some folks thought it was long-winded or too much but God, it couldn’t have been too much.
‘We were at rehearsals and he said “I don’t want you to waste this, this is the biggest moment so far in your career. It’s the biggest moment in my career as well. Don’t waste the opportunity. We’re your band, when we sing that song, we’re your band in that moment. We’re there to back you up. You take the lead and you own the stage. Take advantage, don’t waste it.” And I didn’t. And I am so grateful I didn’t.’
Stephen is continuing to ride the wave of creativity with he release of his debut album Angel Face on September 22, a concept album set in Los Angeles in the 60s which tells the story of the Troubador, Sanchez, his love interest Evangeline, and vicious gang leader Hunter, owner of the Angel night club.
He is ‘very excited’ for fans to hear the characters’ stories play out in the album where ‘each song is a piece of dialogue from each of the characters, every song leading to this inevitable demise.’
In an interesting choice of words however, he admits he’s also feeling ‘mortified,’ as ‘there’s a fear in releasing it to the world.’
‘I love [the album] so much and it’s going to be in the hands of the world. Every time I release music I’ve held the songs so close and the moment I release that music it’s no longer mine, it’s everybody’s soundtrack for whatever they need.
‘So it’s scary … it’s a little spooky.’
He’s confident in the album however, with a special place in his heart for opening track Something About Her, to the point where whether the song ‘succeeds or doesn’t at all, I don’t even care.’
‘It’s the opening track to the record, the first thing people are going to hear. But it’s really beautiful. I think it’s going to be very special when people press the play button on this record and listen from start to finish on this song and then onward.’
Asked what his plans are next, Stephen gives another surprising answer – but one that again makes sense once he explains his reasoning.
‘I really want to farm. Farm a cow. Honestly, as far as musical goals, I think it’s out of my hands. This job doesn’t really feel like it belongs to me and neither do any of the opportunities that come with it. But whatever does come I’m extremely grateful for that.
‘It’s less imposter syndrome, and more an acknowledgement that this is way bigger than me. These songs, and people loving these songs, is more important than them loving me or caring about me.
‘Personally I just want to farm a little cow. That sounds awesome. That sounds great.’
Angel Face is out on September 22.
