As fans stepped into Mohegan Sun Arena last night, they were instantly transported back to 1958. The stage featured a sparkly, vintage tinsel backdrop with a retro, arched setup, showcasing the words “The Connie Co Show” in elegant cursive. Austin Cain, in the role of “Connie Co,” introduced Stephen as if he were a guest on a classic variety show. The performance mirrored the iconic “Ed Sullivan Show” of the ‘50s, capturing that golden age of television and talk shows.

As Connie Co welcomed him, the lights dimmed, and the anticipation grew. Stephen made his grand entrance from the back of the rotating arch, serenading the crowd with his hit song, “Evangeline.” Dressed in a blue, old-fashioned suit with slicked-back hair, Sanchez fully embodied the 1950s, giving the audience a true sense of being transported to that nostalgic era.

Sanchez kept the energy high, rocking out with his incredible bandmates as he performed more of his hits, including “Only Girl,” “Emotional Vacation,” and a few others. During the heartfelt ending of his romantic ballad “Be More,” Sanchez noticed a couple dancing in the aisle, illuminated by a single light in the top section of the theater. Pointing toward them, he said, “Look at those two in love up there,” gaining cheers from the audience and capturing a truly beautiful moment.

Right after that, Sanchez decided it was time to “get up close and personal” with the fans. He strolled through the audience, serenading the crowd with a cover of “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka. As he made his way around, he took the time to shake hands, even giving one fan a kiss on the hand, which made the whole audience swoon. He then followed up with his own song, “The Other Side,” before launching into a cover of “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison, where he even threw in some classic Elvis moves.

After a few more songs, Connie Co returned to the stage—this time with two comfy chairs and a table set with a single rose. It was time for the interlude: the interview segment of the show. Connie asked Stephen about his experience performing at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, where he played in front of a staggering one hundred and twenty thousand people. Stephen shared stories from that unforgettable day, recounting how he met legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney, and how Kate Hudson gave him a big kiss after his set.

Next, two audience members submitted questions. One lady, Rachel, asked Stephen what his favorite flower was, to which he replied, “daffodils.” The other lady, Anna Grace, posed a more playful question, asking, “When we go on our first date, would you rather eat sushi or pizza?” Stephen’s response was thoughtful: “For both of us, especially being considerate to the girl, I’d go with sushi,” explaining that pizza can be a bit messier. He also joked that “it depends on the type of girl you are.”

To wrap up the interlude, Connie and Stephen faced off in a game of rock-paper-scissors, with the winner getting to teach the loser a new dance move. Connie won and taught Stephen how to Dougie, which was very fun to watch. He then handed out the rose on the table to one lucky lady in the front row. Overall, this segment was humorous, lighthearted, and added a personal, unique touch to the concert.

Stephen then transitioned into his acoustic set, and not long after, Connie Co returned to the stage. Connie began by sharing a playful, though fictional, story about how he first heard Stephen on the radio in a barbershop. He joked that he knew right then and there that he had to book him as a guest on “The Connie Co Show” before anyone else did. Continuing the humor, Connie quipped that when he finally met Stephen in person, he “hoped his wife wasn’t in the audience, ‘cause if she is, there’s going to be trouble. She might fall in love all over again with this rich, better-looking guy over here—golly!”

The two then reminisced about the first time Stephen performed on the show, reenacting the moment, which led into Stephen performing his most famous hit, “Until I Found You.” The crowd eagerly joined in, with hundreds of fans singing along.

As the band began their thank-yous, Stephen teased that the show wasn’t over just yet. He launched into an encore performance of “Shake,” dancing his heart out while Connie Co joined in on the guitar. The energy was electric, and the crowd couldn’t get enough. Finally, Stephen blew a kiss to the audience, said his goodbye, and just like that—he was gone.

To wrap it all up, Stephen Sanchez is an incredible performer, truly one of a kind. His vocals, his stage presence, and his entire performance are as captivating as he is. An old soul at heart, he effortlessly brings that nostalgic vibe to life. Though I’ve never lived through the 1950s, Stephen’s show made me wish I had, as it completely changed my perspective on what music can be. There will never be another concert quite like this one, and I find myself struggling to come to terms with that because it was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had at a show.

If you haven’t seen Stephen Sanchez live, or even heard his music, I strongly recommend you do. It will change everything you thought you knew about music and love. Sanchez is a rising star, and I can’t wait for the day when he’s selling out stadiums—because I know he will. He deserves all the recognition and love in the world.