Tag: NPR

Jill Britton | May 17, 2023 “I just wanted to take a moment before we start to say — lower your expectations,” Lewis Capaldi told the audience before his Tiny Desk performance. He then immediately launched into a beautifully crafted, vocally stunning four piece set. Beginning with a special arrangement of “Before You Go,” Capaldi was flanked by a full band, including two horns — something new for the Scottish singer. His second song, “Wish You the Best,” is the latest, Capaldi-style heartbreaking single from his upcoming album Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent. Capaldi joked that he didn’t [See More…]

NPR Music’s Tiny Desk is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. These artists represent just a sliver of the cultural diversity that exists within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Suraya Mohamed | May 10, 2023 For Sid Sriram and his band, playing loud is the norm. But in anticipation for this Tiny Desk, he turned the volume down while rehearsing for this unique acoustic setting. “When it gets quiet, you hear the subtleties, the background, vocal sounds and it even inspires new vocal ideas because you’re not hearing everything, powered up all the way,” Sriram told [See More…]

Anamaria Sayre | April 28, 2023 With a Dr. Simi doll in front of him, pop cariño Cuco brought every single piece of who he is and his artistry to El Tiny. Slow-rolling through a set of four tracks, he seamlessly blended the soul of chicano ballads and the smooth energy of soft rock anthems. Opening with gentle vocals and simple chords on “Pendant,” Cuco brought corazon from an earlier era to his concert. Closing out the emo moment with a sweet guitar solo, he moved on to the tranquil percussion of “Hydrocodone,” delivering heartbroken melody and transporting the audience [See More…]

Ashley Pointer | April 12, 2023 “I’m a songwriter for a living, okay. I usually have all the words but I’m genuinely speechless.” RAYE told the audience at her Tiny Desk. “All I’ve wanted is to be seen and respected as a musician.” The South London-bred singer-songwriter had finally made her way to NPR headquarters, her signature cherry-hued pin curls full of bounce and a radiant smile spread across her face. It was a long time coming, and in a re-arranged set of songs from her stunning debut album tailored to the Tiny Desk, RAYE exuded the confidence and abilities [See More…]

Teresa Xie | April 10, 2023 When Fred again.. first proposed a Tiny Desk concert, it wasn’t immediately clear how he was going to make it work — not because he lacked creativity, but because translating purely electronic music at the Desk is a daunting task for anyone. How would an artist, whose performances take the form of DJ sets in front of massive audiences, curate an intimate and unique experience? But what the British songwriter and producer came up with is a reminder of what a Tiny Desk is at its best: an opportunity for artists to challenge themselves [See More…]

Mitra I. Arthur | March 31, 2023 Durand Bernarr is an experience. At the Tiny Desk, members of his band — clad in costumes evoking characters from the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family — surrounded Bernarr, outfitted in a white and magenta sequined ensemble with a wig styled in a pompadour, channeling the electric energy of the soul and funk singer of the Proud Family, Uncle Bobby. More than an experience, Bernarr is a skilled singer. He’s gained a following from his catchy albums (including his most recent, Wanderlust), his time spent backing Erykah Badu on tour and [See More…]

Robin Hilton | March 17, 2023 It’s hard to overstate the kindness and good-natured humor Bono and The Edge brought to the Tiny Desk. When they first arrived at the NPR Music offices, Bono spoke on an imaginary phone, “The talent’s here! The talent’s coming through,” poking fun at their own fame, while carrying The Edge’s guitar. (The Edge called Bono the best roadie he’s ever had.) The two never stopped beaming, like two overjoyed newcomers thrilled at the chance to play for someone. The performance was a preview of U2’s new album, Songs Of Surrender, featuring stripped-down versions of [See More…]

This year’s Black History Month celebration at the Tiny Desk features a carefully crafted lineup spanning many genres, generations and walks of life. Each artist represents the best in their class and will be performing at the Tiny Desk for the first time. Bobby Carter | February 28, 2023 Omah Lay brought a calm demeanor and a bright smile to his time at NPR headquarters. By the third song of his Tiny Desk concert, “soso,” I realized that the Nigerian star was exercising lots of emotions through this set. The first two titles, “Bad Influence” and “i’m a mess,” are [See More…]

Bob Boilen | January 3, 2023 Surely my musical highlight for 2022 was this Tiny Desk concert from The Smile. Just how Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner were going to perform songs from their sonically adventurous album A Light for Attracting Attention was a puzzle not only to me but to the band. They arrived early, along with saxophonist Robert Stillman, to test out several tunes and figure out just what made sense behind my desk — minus the volume and effects that shape the album’s sonic landscape. For roughly 90 minutes, the [See More…]