Three-part harmonies, and sometimes nothing else, deserve quiet.
Despite Emily Staveley-Taylor asking the crowd for silence after only the second song, the incessant chatter, so often an unfortunate part of a gig experience in Bristol, continued.
By the end of their set, however, you could have heard a pin drop, an indication of the calibre of the music of this Watford band.
The first time I saw the Staves was in circa 2005 in a cafe in the Hertfordshire town, for political geeks one of the few other places in the UK alongside Bristol to have an elected mayor.
Back then a signature song of the singing sisters was a cover of Jolene by Dolly Parton, long since expunged from their set.
A lot has changed since the band’s early days and the Staves, although not quite yet hitting the big time, are still on their way up. They have supported Bon Iver, performed on Jools Holland and Bristol venues they play in are increasing in size whenever they return to the city, from the Louisiana to the Thekla and on Friday night the Trinity.
As well as songs from debut album Dead & Born & Grown, we were treated to several new numbers, of which most were Americana-tinged, unsurprising considering how long the band have recently spent out in the States.
Middle sister Jessica took lead vocal duties on a new song called White Teeth, with a chorus, “I wanna go where I can take it slow because I wanna stop”.
Another new song had on lead youngest sister Camilla, whose university education put the group on hiatus for several years until she graduated and their wait paid off. “You cut my roots and now my leaves are dead,” she sang, as oldest sister Emily played both a drum and keyboard.
Winter Trees (which had a video made in Bristol by Aardman, directed by Karni & Saul) closed the evening, not before other favourites including Facing West with a whistling solo by Emily, and Wisely & Slow, which saw all three crowded around the same microphone, showcasing the so-called “blood harmony” of family members.
As Kings of Convenience once wisely called an album, quiet is the new loud.
