Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, and Blur: just three of the fantastic acts due to appear at next month’s Glastonbury Festival. It’s a line-up that makes the surprise inclusion of Watford trio The Staves all the more impressive.

For four years the sisters have been making some beautiful music together; welding stirring, haunting melodies with some truly show-stopping harmonies.

It’s a sound that’s won them many local admirers since they first stepped nervously onto The Horns open mic stage. It’s fair to say, however, that their forthcoming appearance on Glastonbury’s Croissant Neuf stage on Sunday, June 28, is their biggest break yet. More importantly, however, it’s a break they thoroughly deserve.

“It actually came a bit out of the blue,” explains big sister Emily Staveley-Taylor.

“It means a lot to us that they liked our stuff enough to ask us to play. But I really thought it was a joke when they called to tell us we were on. Obviously it wasn’t.”

Indeed, the next few weeks could be very important indeed in the career of what remains a pretty unique act – Glastonbury or no Glastonbury.

Away from the festival circuit, tbe girls will be playing a second audition to Island Records in a bid to win their 50th anniversary competition for a recording contract.

“It’s all coming together for us just at the right time,” adds Emily. “Things haven’t been so easy in the last year because Jess has been away at university but we’re really excited about the next few weeks. We really think we’ve got something unique to offer.” These girls are something very special indeed when playing live; tossing the odd ‘60s inspired cover here and there alongside a growing own-brand, acoustic set. Forget the Sugababes and the PussycatDolls, these girls have got a genuine and unique talent.

See what I mean on Sunday, June 7 when the girls take to the main stage (outside St Mary’s Church) at the Watford Live Festival from noon and at Watford Colosseum on Sunday, June 14 from 4.20pm. In the meantime, check them out on the WO music charts.