The Staves Return to U.S. With Electrifying Show in Brooklyn

While many people would rather go home right after work on Mondays, fans of the Staves were ready to see sisters Jessica, Camilla and Emily Staveley-Taylor perform at Rough Trade in Brooklyn (May 11).

"Thanks for coming out on a Monday night," Emily, who handled the sound machine, drum and vocals, told the crowd. "I hope it didn't kick your ass too much."

But no matter how hard the beginning of their work or school week was, fans' distractions and stresses disappeared as the indie folksters supported their new album, If I Was. And considering it was the first show the Staves have done in the U.S. in awhile, the crowd was very excited to hear how their new, evolved sound was going to play out. With more of an electrified vibe, the Staves had more members on stage than normal, including James Canty, who was the show's opening act and played keyboards for the trio.

Most importantly, though, their vocal harmonies -- the heart of the Staves' sound -- has never sounded better.

The Staves, who worked with Justin Vernon at his studio in Wisconsin on the new album, were very proud of If I Was and had most of the disc's tracks on the setlist. However, they did include two old tracks -- "Open" from their Blood I Bled EP as well as "Wisely & Slowly," off their debut LP, Dead & Born & Grown -- and sang a cappella during the encore. Two of the night's standout performances were "Teeth White" and "Black & White," which shows off their strong, yet sassy, sides.

Unfortunately for fans outside of New York City, the Staves are heading back across the pond for a tour in the U.K.; find their full tour itinerary here. In the meantime, check out our exclusive photos -- and the Staves' setlist -- from their Rough Trade gig below:

The Staves -- New York City's Rough Trade

The Staves -- Setlist, May 11, 2015
"Blood I Bled"
"Steady"
"Open"
"No Me, No You, No More"
"Let Me Down"
"Horizons"
"Black & White"
"Damn It All"
"The Shining"
"Don't You Call Me Anymore"
"Teeth White"
"Make It Holy"

Encore
"Wisely & Slow"
"Winter Trees"