Sometimes I don’t want to listen to music on a streaming platform through my headphones; sometimes I want to listen to music live. I don’t get the opportunity to do it often, so when I get the urge to listen to live performances, I turn on my sound system and listen to recorded live sets. One of my favorite ways to do this is by watching the NPR Tiny Desk concerts. I love coming back to the sets that some of my favorite artists have performed in the past, but I love even more discovering new artists.
In the beginning, the Tiny Desk's main goal was to highlight indie artists and to help put them in the public eye, but then it became about giving artists (commercial and independent) the chance to strip down and showcase their vocal and performing abilities with minimal production. Now that it has become sort of mainstream, most artists bring backing vocalists and even orchestras to perform alongside them, changing the format completely. Thanks to our generation’s taste for virality, the Tiny Desk concert has become another place where popular artists can do promo for new projects (even though they don’t need it.) For smaller artists, a performance on the Desk still means a chance to put their name out there. Artists like Doechii, Chapell Roan, and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso worked for years in the industry and struggled to make it into the mainstream, but once they went on Tiny Desk, they started getting more attention from the general public. It would be inaccurate to say that their new success is all because of the Desk concert, but I do think it helped present their names to younger audiences, who are way more likely to buy music and become loyal fans.
I partially agree with the criticism around the new sets—some artists are doing too much, which negates the original purpose of the Desk, but I think it’s still a special project, even if some concerts are far from stripped down. Also, Tiny Desk keeps being a great venue to discover new music, as NPR hasn’t stopped inviting smaller artists, and they do a great job at balancing the commercial and the independent.
Because I love the format and concept so much, I wanted to make a list of my favorite concerts, which includes stripped-down as well as highly produced sets. I think both have a purpose and value, and I enjoy them for different reasons. I’ll tell you more about it next.
ChocQuibTown
My first choice is this set by a colombian group that I love. Their music represents the joy and struggles of being from the pacific coast region so well and is the perfect mix of deep music you can dance to. Their set is intimate, soulful, and just a pleasure to hear.
Little Simz
Little Simz's set is one of the best I have ever seen and heard. Her voice, her movements, her coolness—everything about her performance makes me feel like I am being pulled in. Watching her concert is not enough. I need to be in that room. She is just amazing in every capacity possible.
Mon Laferte
If you have never heard of Mon Laferte, I’m about to introduce you to a powerhouse. She is a vocalist first, but she is also an amazing songwriter and a performer. Her talent is insane, and this set is just amazing—the visuals, the location, the wedding dress, and her singing “why did I have to get pregnant by you? instead of “why did I have to fall in love with you?” while actually pregnant. Every detail about this concert was so thoughtful and I keep coming back to it time and time again.
Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals
Objectively one of the coolest sets ever made. Anderson playing drums, rapping, and serving vocals at the same time is just unreal. The band is amazing as well. If you haven’t watched it, you are missing out. Get on it now.
Rawayana
Rawayana is a venezuelan group that is especially good at blending latin and caribbean sounds like reggae and merengue with pop. Their music never fails to pick me up on a bad day and this set shows why they are one of the best in their genre. The concert is laid-back and fun and makes me wish I was on a beach drinking piña coladas every time I listen to it.
Doechii
There is life before and after this set. I remember exactly how I felt the first time that I saw it, and every time I rewatch it I find little details about it that leave me speechless. Doechii’s creativity, confidence, and talent shined through that day, and I’m just so glad we are living in a world where she exists. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
boygenius
This set is so special to me, and it never fails to make me feel things. It is the definition of a stripped-down concert: just the three of them, their vocals, two guitars, and a piano that they play themselves.
I saw it again yesterday, and when Phoebe started singing "Me & My Dog," tears filled my eyes. Her voice is so lulling and heartbreaking that I couldn’t help but feel sappy. Plus, we get to see Lucy trying to tell a joke while Phoebe tunes her guitar. It’s so bad it’s endearing. Julian is just everything.
Natalia Lafourcade
Natalia’s voice is one of those that deserves to be described as “angelic.” Her tone is soft, sweet, and inviting, and it soothes me in a way others can’t. This concert in particular feels like a sunday morning. It is the perfect set to relax, sit back, and reflect.
Leon Bridges
Every time I listen to Leon, I feel like I am falling in love with him. When he sings, all I can think of is how much I want to be wrapped around by his voice. This set has so much heart and soul. I am not exaggerating when I say that when he sang the final song, “River,” I got chills. My arms were covered in goosebumps and my heart was beating loud. That is what I want music to make me feel like, always.
Arlo Parks
I was introduced to Arlo by a former friend, and for a while I couldn’t listen to her music without associating it with them. After watching this set, I decided she was too good to miss out on. Long live bisexuals, man.
If you do end up listening to any of these and you like them, let me know. And if you have a favorite tiny desk concert that you think I’d like, please leave it in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for new music.
i love npr tiny desk concerts! really loved the hadestown musical cast one, they bring such liveliness to the place<3
look up C. Tangana's Tiny desk!! Favorite one ever