Lars Gotrich | April 2, 2026
Bush always felt like the most stylish version of ’90s rock. Sixteen Stone, now celebrating nearly 32 years since its release, captured a sonic shift in motion, with razor-sharp riffs and an air of mystery propelled by Gavin Rossdale’s distinctively sexy howl.
But if you think you know “Machinehead,” prepare to be surprised by this Tiny Desk arrangement. It’s quieter and slower than the revving speed of the original, but thoughtfully weighted — the years of wear and tear give meaning to once nonsensical lyrics like “bleeding through a tourniquet smile.” The same goes for “Glycerine,” an alt-rock ballad slimmed down to piano and guitar fuzz, underscored by an a capella vocal performance that left the room stunned. The dreamy “Out of This World,” from 2001’s Golden State, emerges from a rubble of noise and feedback — a deep cut reshaped into something stranger, more attuned to our desperate and disorienting atmosphere.
Bush closes with the title track from I Beat Loneliness, a 2025 album that’s worth clocking into if you’ve missed a certain era of melodically-driven hard rock. Triumphant riffs explode as Rossdale is defiant in his naked vulnerability, buttoning up a moving set that reconsiders and extends the signature sound of Bush.
SET LIST
“Machinehead”
“Glycerine”
“Out of This World”
“I Beat Loneliness”
MUSICIANS
Gavin Rossdale: vocals, guitar
Chris Traynor: guitar
Corey Britz: bass, background vocals
Nik Hughes: drums
Joshy Soul: keys, piano, background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Josh Newell, Lars Gotrich
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Director/Mix: Josh Newell
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Photographer: Vanessa Castillo
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
#nprmusic #tinydesk #bush
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NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts is a popular video series featuring live, intimate music performances by diverse artists, from major stars to up-and-coming musicians, recorded in the small workspace of Bob Boilen’s NPR office in Washington, D.C.brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.
Will always be Swallowed
Youtube is an expert at putting an advertisement 30 seconds into each song. They can’t do it in between?
Other than the terrible advertising philosophy, very cool show and great channel! I love seeing how artists make things unique for Tiny Desk!
❤
Glycerine is and always will be perfection and Gavin is aging like fine wine <3
I remember carrying sixteen stones and the science of things so I could listen on my discman on the bus on the way to school! Man what a time
People who make a big deal about when they were born annoy me. Unless you were physically at the show, you watched it on a screen like the rest of us. And if you’re alive and well right now, you can watch all the great performances in that same way. But if you were in the 90s rn, you couldn’t watch foo fighters tiny desk. Or anything else that’s happened in that time. You’re where you’re supposed to be. Grass isn’t always greener folks, we can’t still be thinking like that
epic rock band
Silent Bob was great on the drums!
Ah the memories and emotions are flooding over me!
Isso me faz ter lembrança boas ! 💯