Maia Stern | April 29, 2024
Even though it was the band’s first visit to the Tiny Desk, Hot Chip’s performance felt like a homecoming — a sweet return to some of the instruments the group first created its signature, playful sound with. Hot Chip’s “tiny instruments,” as lead vocalist Alexis Taylor called them, fit right into the space.
The members of Hot Chip arrived at NPR HQ each dressed in a different colored top, their bright and brilliant looks matching the music’s classic electro-pop vibe. The band, joined by Jonny Lam on pedal steel guitar (who played a Tiny Desk previously with Sinkane) began the set with two tracks from its 2006 album The Warning, including “Over and Over” and “Boy From School.” The latter of the two, Taylor explained, was written on the Casio keyboard that both Taylor and guitarist Rob Smoughton play in this set. Then the band slows it down a bit with “Look At Where We Are,” before ending with the classic “Ready For The Floor.”
And speaking of bringing the perfect look, after the show, Taylor got out an on-theme top: an NPR branded sweatshirt that he asked us all to sign. It was a rare, tender and probably once-in-a-lifetime moment, when one of your favorite bands is asking you to sign merch.
SET LIST
“Over And Over”
“Boy From School”
“Look At Where We Are”
“Ready For The Floor”
MUSICIANS
Alexis Taylor: vocals, guitar, keyboard
Joe Goddard: vocals, keyboard
Owen Clarke: keyboard
Rob Smoughton: backing vocals, guitar
Leo Taylor: drums
Jonny Lam: pedal steel guitar
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer/Director: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Pierre Kattar
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #hotchip
never clicked so fast!
Amazing!!
saw these guys at splendour in the grass few years ago. But this was just brilliant. Thank you 😊
One of the things I absolutely love about Hot Chip is how they have so many arrangements and takes on all their songs. Every time I hear them live, it feels like every track is fresh and perfectly arranged for the situation. Boy From School is a great example and I can think of at least three versions (album, this, 2013 live version in Sydney on the Moshcam channel). They are all bangers and perfect in their own ways.
The 2015 Glastonbury version is excellent as well
@@andrewfritz3673 I’ll check it out, thanks
wave to earth plz!!!!!!
Slide guitar makes everything better!
Yay!!!
Its fun. I kinda wanted them to harmonize.
why isn’t Al Doyle there?
Brutaaaaal.😍🙏🏽
Please invite Noah Kahan!!
One of my favorite bands to see live, over and over again.
Love hot chip!
Good performance looks like you had fun.
Hot Chip = So Sick
Look At Where We Are is me and my wife’s wedding song. This live version is incredible, thank you!
These guys are certified legends at this point. No Al Doyle though?
awesome !!!
Hot Chip❤️❤️❤️
One of the best live acts…
The reverse-merch story is really cool. I’m sure it’s not often that musicians make NPR staffers feel like rock stars