Gig review: The Staves, Oran Mor, Glasgow

“WE’RE sisters, in case anyone didn’t know,” said one of the three pretty brunette ladies onstage before us, “that’s why we argue so much.”

e slapped me round the face just now,” chimed another. “I didn’t,” said the third, “but I could at any minute…” Be assured, the Staveley-Taylor girls don’t look like the sort of women who might collapse into a hair-pulling heap the minute they’re out of sight. Like their music, they seem warm, gentle and possessed of a certain calm grace that’s easy to admire.

The English trio are also, it seems, on the verge of national and international recognition, having been asked to support American crossover alternative folk success Bon Iver on their upcoming tour of the United States. The sound made by singers Emily, Jessica and Camilla – on occasion joined by a rhythm section or just their own delicately strummed guitars – will fit in well in such company, their short but well-honed set being composed of a bunch of tender ballads marked out by distinctive and often upbeat arrangements. Their voices are the key here, however – a floating, fluid rush of wintery lustre and intuitive harmonies on tracks like Gone Tomorrow, Mexico and the a cappella Wisely & Slow.

The odd key changes of the gorgeous Winter Trees would perhaps have stuck longest in the mind, had the encore Dead and Born and Grown’s lyrical sentiment of renewal not been so lovely.

It wasn’t a show which demanded attention, but rather one which slowly impressed over the breadth of its delicately assured slow build.

Rating: ***