The Staves are a threesome from Watford, via American 1970s Country radio, whose debut album ‘Dead & Born & Grown’ has been growing in momentum since its release at the end of 2012.
And based on this showing they have built up quite a following – with the last few members of the audience barely making it into Gorilla to join a rapt crowd.
From the opening notes, the three sisters’ close harmonies, home counties good looks and easy stage charm makes this a celebration of a band who have already found a fanbase.
This crowd of a certain age and class might miss the joke in a snatched cover version of R Kelly’s ‘Ignition’, but a mention of a recent appearance on ‘Women’s Hour’ draws whoops and cheers.
This is a band you could happily take home to Mum and Dad or play in the background of a polite dinner party.
There are a few onstage swigs of whiskey (‘it’s the last night of the tour!’) but the changing room furniture is safe from these well brought up sisters.
They apologise sincerely for playing new material and sometimes look at the crowd to wonder how long it will take them to write all of these thank you cards.
There might not be anything here we haven’t heard before, either from the American mid-West or the more recent crop of Lovely Music (think Michael Kiwanuka, The Lumineers, cupcakes, Cath Kidstone wallpaper), and we’re all wrapped up by 10pm.
But as the dying notes from an acapella Dixie Chicks cover fade out, the room explodes with love and affection for a band who may have found their time.
Image courtesy of SideshowAlleyTV, via YouTube, with thanks.
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