Captivating. Mesmerizing. Even, celestial. The Staveley-Taylor sisters’ beauty and harmony is breathtaking - a floating wave of bright joy. The Staves’ first visit to North Carolina was pure bliss and a sight to behold. Yet, there’s no showy stagecraft or dramatics on display, they don’t need it - just three microphones and a row of blue stage lights.
The stage is messy and multiple cords lie across the black surface. The trio is relaxed and confident. Jessica’s sleeves are rolled up and Emily wears a t-shirt with the words “Mardi Gras” imprinted across the front, highlighting her love and appreciation for a country quickly becoming familiar to her foreign self.
We saw a groundhog today and we didn’t know what it was. I was like, ‘there’s a seal!’ I thought it was one of those ground seals.
The Staves’ jest breaks the roaring applause from the sold-out crowd. Transitioning from the lead track “Outlaw” from their newest EP to “Steady” to their renowned hit “Mexico,” the emotions they evoke from the audience are nothing short of hypnotizing. While one couple sways back and forth, eyes closed and hair fluttering in the breeze, another quietly announces their fondness for the trio.
“I like them, I like them a lot … I’m going to buy their album.”
The Staves touched each end of the folk rock spectrum. From the upbeat “Roses” to the more delicate “Sleeping In A Car,” there wasn’t an ounce of talent that The Staveley-Taylor sisters didn’t display. Emily transitioned from playing the keyboard to lead vocals while softly ringing a few small bells, an elegant instrument used to its fullest.
The audience chimed in on each song but welcomed a new, unheard track presented as a surprise from the sisters (in a way only The Staves knew how).
You’ll be our guinea pigs, actually our groundhogs … sweet little Bill Murrays.
The Staves’ vocals soared and their harmonies silenced Cat’s Cradle (until it came time to applaud). Their confidence is contagious and it’s impossible not to lend all ears to the sisters. The Staves are gifted, and it’s obvious immediately, yet unexplainable. Perhaps it’s a gift they were born with, a divine talent held by the most celebrated musicians of all time. Regardless, one things for certain: their music is scarce, rare, unparalleled in the music industry today and we’re listening … oh, yes … we’re listening.
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