Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect from The Staves Roundhouse gig, but the show was a wonder to behold.
The Roundhouse is practically full by eight as the one and only support arrive on stage, Gabriel Rios, a haunting three-piece. Their simple set up of an acoustic guitar, cello and a double bass breathe a beautiful and earthy sound into the venue. Humbly, the band declare their gratitude: “Thank you so much for giving us your attention and energy”. Gabriel’s voice floats above the music and weaves its way into the entire crowd. ‘Swing Low’ is a particular highlight, to which the crowd responded.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, ready to be lulled into a submission by tonight’s headline act, The Staves. I have to admit, I know nothing about The Staves. But you know it’s not going to be a raucous gig when there is a women stood next to you eating a beetroot salad out of a tupperware box. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ ‘I Put A Spell On You’ is blasted out over the speakers just before 9:00pm.
The Staves appear on stage soon after. Emily, Jessica and Camilla stand centre stage, back lit and using just their incredible vocal harmonies to sing the mesmerising ‘Hopeless’, which rings throughout within the entire venue. My draw drops and it hits me that this is going to be something special. ‘Steady’ sees the whole band kick in with an endless roll of drums, and as the music pulses in an out the whole theatre is transfixed as the band work their magic.
“Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect from The Staves Roundhouse gig, but the show was a wonder to behold”
“Hello London! We can’t tell you how happy we are to be here, and it’s the last night of the tour!” announces Emily. The sisters are clearly nervous when first addressing their fans. ‘Black and White’ is next up to the throngs delight, then ‘Winter Trees’. A squeeze box, violin and horn are brought out. The track grows you can feel the crowd getting more and more excited. As the chorus hits a folky euphoria sweeps the room, with fans breaking into little jigs and dances. “Again we failed to land the John Lewis ad… get it, Winter Trees”, playfully jokes Camilla, much to the crowd’s amusement. The Staves have really settled into their stride now. The energy levels are high as everyone gorges on the enchanting atmosphere. I overhear a fan declare to his girlfriend “I just can’t help but fall in love with them all over again”.
‘Blood I Bled’ gets the Roundhouse moving until the drop out, but the band easily builds the swell back up again with style. A huge cheer erupts, we can’t get enough of tonight’s show! Clarity washes of over the audience, like a crisp winte morning at the end of ‘Let Me Down’ as the sisters crowd around the microphone, Libertines style. Using only their beautiful voices and a loop pedal, they create a wave of sound that continues to grow until it fills the space and then allow it to dissipate. Everyone, myself included, is in awe. Then the crowd conjures up their biggest applause of the night, and it is well deserved. There are no words to describe how good that last track was. The girls stand centre stage stunned and humbled by the reaction.
Bombay Bicycle Club’s ‘Feel’ gets a folky re-working, that gets the crowd happily skipping along with the use of an electric drum. We clap along to the end as Camilla jokes, “Thank you, we are always trying to help out new talent”. The girls banter is now on top form. ‘Mexico’ gets a lively rendition, causing large parts of the audience to break into dance. The Staves are clearly enjoying themselves. Jessica introduces the violinist and horn players as an Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman, just before ‘Horizons’. Another highlight of tonights show is ‘Sadness’. As Camilla jumps on the keys to lull out this truly haunting rendition. The violin breathes exquisite detail, and the lighting makes the whole scene perfect in every sense of the word. Pure ambience. The whole Roundhouse is hypnotised in silence; you could hear a pin drop!
“In the space of an evening, The Staves turned Camden’s Roundhouse from a punk rock trophy into a blissful wonderland. With their beautiful harmonies, lullaby melodies and char, The Staves brought the theatre to its knees. Far from what I expected, but utterly delightful in the end”
“This is going to be our last song…”, says Jessica, as the crowd cry in disappointment. Jessica quips “but maybe if you cheer loud enough, you know….” as they play ‘Damn It All’. The encore is a new song ‘Tired As Fuck’, a move away from traditional Staves music. A real stomper of a drum beat leads into full on rock track. Distorted electric guitars, mini solos, this song has it all, and the crowd adore it. The girls end on fan favourite ‘White Teeth’, which is greeted by a cheer of “YAAY!” The crowd and the band cut loose one last time, writhing around the stage in ecstasy. It’s clear the band are besides themselves with joy.
In the space of an evening, The Staves turned Camden’s Roundhouse from a punk rock trophy into a blissful wonderland. With their beautiful harmonies, lullaby melodies and char, The Staves brought the theatre to its knees. Far from what I expected, but utterly delightful in the end.