Tag: NPR

Bobby Carter | October 20, 2025 Onome Edgeworth, Kokoroko’s band leader and percussionist, told us: “Up until today, I thought, ‘No chance. This is going to go horribly wrong.’ ” It’s not uncommon for bands to come into our space with doubts. Still, in Edgeworth’s case, the insecurities were quickly shed: the NPR crowd gave “good vibes” and, more importantly, this young group of British musicians is just so naturally talented. The timing couldn’t be better for this Tiny Desk. The themes and motivation behind Kokoroko’s latest album, Tuff Times Never Last, speak directly to what many people are going [See More…]

Bobby Carter | October 17, 2025 Kevin Parker’s team came back with two words: “all acoustic.” I was dumbfounded, not only by the notion of an acoustic Tame Impala set but also by the idea of the band playing the real Tiny Desk. In 2020, Tame Impala was able to toe and, by some standards, cross the line for its Tiny Desk (home) concert. Here at NPR headquarters, Parker and the crew had to relinquish a certain level of control. “Let’s just try it and see what happens,” Parker told me. From a production standpoint, it feels like Tame Impala [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Anamaria Sayre | October 15, 2025 Silvana Estrada was born and raised in Veracruz, a seaside state known for its breathtaking ocean views and son jarocho, one of Mexico’s most storied folk styles. But against the backdrop of its beauty, there’s pain. Estrada confronts these realities in her art; she brings audiences to tears with her powerful, yet elegant vocals, but never leaves them without hope. In the five years I’ve come to work — and become friends — with [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Anamaria Sayre | October 10, 2025 Street sweeping by night in Mexico City and writing music when he could and where he could, Macario Martínez turned his longing into songs with beautiful lyrics and simple guitar picking. “¿Cómo es que me duele el no saber?” he sings on “Sueña Lindo, Corazón,” the song that exploded on TikTok. How come the not knowing hurts so much? Martínez translates that feeling — wanting what you’re not sure you can have — into [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Anamaria Sayre | October 6, 2025 The Tiny Desk has witnessed some pretty legendary guitar solos. Shrouded in fog, this one opens with some shred played by a puppet. Only the deeply beloved 31 Minutos could pull off such a dramatic feat, even at the Desk. 31 Minutos is a Chilean TV show, but more than that, it’s an institution of Latin American children’s programming. Known for being equal parts educational and just plain silly, it’s smart, cutting and dynamic [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Anamaria Sayre | September 25, 2025 The song that opens Chuwi’s Tiny Desk is quick, coy and questioning. In staggered vocals, keys and percussion, the Puerto Rican band gently tells a story about a life well-lived, but something lingers. “Que me faltara,” they all sing. What am I missing? This is a common theme throughout Chuwi’s music — that the members love their family, their island, their home — but, like many Puerto Ricans, they still seek something better: “un [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Felix Contreras | September 23, 2025 Imagine the burden of not only being a well known and respected musician but also an indelible icon of your country’s folk tradition. That is the mantle that Carlos Vives carries for his native Colombia. During his turn behind the Tiny Desk, he takes on the role with a deep sense of pride and musical mastery. In 1995, Vives released La Tierra del Olvido, a landmark recording that introduced the world to Colombia’s vallenato [See More…]

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover. Felix Contreras | September 15, 2025 What an honor to host Fito Páez, one of the pioneers of Argentine rock, at the Tiny Desk for the start of Latin Music Month. In 1984, Páez released his debut solo album one year after a brutal dictatorship, joining the swell of Spanish language rock and roll that was growing in Argentina. His lyrical insight was poignant then and resonates now. In this set, his beloved storytelling is on full display as well [See More…]

Bobby Carter | September 12, 2025 Ed Sheeran’s Tiny Desk (home) concert from 2021 was a huge moment for NPR Music. During a time of uncertainty, his show — now at nearly 15 million views — honored the intimate nature of our platform while also reimagining his work. We knew that when the time was right, Sheeran would step behind the real Desk and that time is now. Featuring brand new songs from the album Play, plus an old favorite, watch Sheeran build the instrumental elements in real time with guitar, keyboard and a looping station. SET LIST “Sapphire” “A [See More…]

Lars Gotrich | September 10, 2025 An effortless hop from the carpet onto the office furniture. A split-second survey of the audience gathered. Two steps, then liftoff and barrel roll. Not only does Brendan Yates execute the first-ever stage dive — and ensuing crowd surf — at the Tiny Desk, but he does so with athletic grace. That’s how this Turnstile concert ends, but not before a wild reimagination of the hardcore band’s wide-ranging sound, featuring piano and a horn section. Ever since its inception 15 years ago, Turnstile has always turned its accessible, yet esoteric influences into something of [See More…]