It’s hard to believe just 8 months ago (to
the day), I was stood watching a humble, shy looking trio grace the stage at
The Kazimier ahead of Michael Kiwanuka’s sold out show.
Now, stood in a packed out Village
Underground in the depths of Shoreditch I await the second consecutive sold out
show by The Staves. The charming trio that have toured near and far over the
past months have returned to London, the closest of their hometown gigs on this
headline tour.
Now, this is when things get a little
strange. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen this wonderful, captivating band
nearly double figures in as many months. Some may call it crazy, I know I do.
However, there’s one thing that never changes. The sublime serenity of a Staves
live show.
With two supports, the crowd began to take
their positions for the highly anticipated show. Having finished their support
slot with Bon Iver last week, The Staves have gained a sterling fan base
following slots on Jools Holland and landing a session with BBC6 Music.
As if that wasn’t enough, The Staves
released their debut album, Dead & Born & Grown, this time last week,
12th November. Now embarking on their November headline tour, The
Staves proved they’re a cut above the rest tonight.
On paper, three sisters, with long hair, a
ukulele, a squeaky box thing and a guitar don’t do the delightful trio justice.
It’s more than meets the eye. It’s the humour,
the simple charm, demeanour and presence of the siblings on stage. Enthralling
an audience with that first note, harmony or whistle.
With support from Christof Music and Luke
Sital Singh, the crowd, packed like sardines were in for a treat. Myself
included. In a renovated warehouse, primed for a gig of this superiority, boasting
acoustic qualities second to none, it seemed the perfect host for tonight’s
show.
A couple of minutes late to arrive on
stage, the audience began proclaiming their excitement, with several whoops
from the Watfordians ushering the girls to take their places.
The tentative crowd fell to silence at the
sound of the faultless vocals of Emily, Jess and Camilla as they opened the set
with, ‘The Motherlode’.
With their trusty whiskey in tow, the girls
deliver a genuine modesty and delight on stage that can’t be rehearsed. A
chemistry only achieved by three sisters touring the world, near and far.
Today, lucky for us, in London.
Continuing to their second song, the trio
accompanied by their band members, combine their signature soaring melodies
with the addition of bass and drum heavy lines for a beautifully composed ‘Pay
Us No Mind’.
Vocals aside, the gig wasn’t all plain
sailing with the band having to battle against a typically industrial air
conditioning unit threatening to drown out the delicate vocals. As if that
wasn’t enough, I say three is the magic number but three certainly wasn’t the
magic number for the unfortunate three that took ill during the gig.
Creating a rather unwelcome atmosphere, the
air conditioning was soon forgotten when what seemed like half of Watford
proclaimed their love for the sisters.
Introducing Camilla’s ukulele, the trio put
laughter at bay to deliver a delectable performance of ‘Facing West’. Not
forgetting the whistling troubadour by the name of Emily Staveley Taylor.
The hauntingly beautiful album track,
‘Eagle Song’ was a highlight for myself and it seemed, many others. Born on
their trip from Austin to Boston with Communion, the girls ooze with confidence
and maturity throughout.
Another highlight, the aforementioned
humour displayed on stage. Preparing for their last of the set, ‘Winter Trees’,
the girls mumbled between one another whilst Emily prepared the ‘squeezy box’.
‘I don’t know what it is and I don’t play
guitar, but whatever’
Whether it’s the infectious banter or the
somewhat telepathic harmonic power, mastered only by these three sisters from
Watford, it certainly proves that three is the magic number.
Set list –
The Motherlode/Pay Us No Mind/In The Long
Run/Facing West/Tongue Behind My Teeth/Wiseley and Slow/Snow/Mexico/Eagle
Song/Winter Trees.
Encore – Icarus/Dead & Born &
Grown.
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