It was a banner yr on the Tiny Desk. We revealed greater than 120 concert events in 2024, that includes superstars from across the globe, beloved legacy artists taking part in their hits, and rising artists who used our little nook of NPR headquarters to introduce themselves to the world.
We could not presumably sum up such a various discipline in simply 10 movies, so consider this checklist as private suggestions from the crew that makes the sequence attainable. We requested 10 members of our Tiny Desk staff to every choose one in every of their favourite concert events of the yr. We hope you get an opportunity to get pleasure from them along with your family and friends this vacation season.
Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso
Argentine bones are fired in music. Born into a rustic steadily sophisticated by financial turmoil and political upheaval, Argentina’s folks have discovered their voice, solace and artistic escape within the sounds that ricochet off their borders. First got here rock en español, Boca-born rap, and now Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso. Folks level to the virality of this video as its declare to cultural significance. However this present is not simply an ebullient music second — it is the ushering in of a brand new period of musical innovation for the nation and the continent. —Anamaria Sayre, Tiny Desk producer and Alt.Latino co-host
Doechii
Once I first found Doechii’s music again in 2019, it made me marvel the place she’d been my complete life. It is gratifying to see the well-deserved shine she’s receiving 5 years later, and her Tiny Desk is the cherry on prime. Performing a medley of cuts from her Grammy-nominated mixtape, Alligator Bites By no means Heal, with an all-woman band, Doechii channels so many sounds — jazz, gospel, rock, musical theater — whereas sustaining a traditional hip-hop throughline. So many gems had been dropped throughout this present, and it is really a masterclass in creativity and musicality. —Ashley Pointer, Tiny Desk producer
Chaka Khan
I’ve all the time thought-about Chaka Khan one of many nice vocalists of our technology. It was an absolute thrill to be in the identical room with that legendary voice and listen to that it has misplaced not one of the energy and expressiveness that made me a fan virtually 50 years in the past. Her efficiency right here is superb and a reminder what an actual voice appears like (speaking to you, Auto-Tune customers!). —Felix Contreras, Tiny Desk producer and Alt.Latino co-host
LaRussell
LaRussell proved that a few of the greatest performances come from musicians which have enjoyable doing what they do greatest. This was an uplifting, energetic and real live performance crammed with laughs, contagious smiles and some Smeeze dances sprinkled in for good measure. The rapper was unapologetically himself — an eccentric expertise for the Tiny Desk, however enterprise as typical for LaRussell and his sequence of Yard Residency concert events. You seldom hear hip-hop and not using a beat, however this band did not want drum to maintain time, simply these infectious Bay Space vibes. —Joshua Bryant, Tiny Desk video producer
TV On The Radio
I like rock bands in small venues. There’s one thing concerning the intimacy that will increase the power and reference to the band. Perhaps it is a deep-rooted nostalgia from going to punk exhibits in highschool, however the band belting “We’re howling without end!” over distorted combo amps felt thrilling on a visceral stage. TVOTR was a band I would all the time loved and revered, however I would by no means absolutely linked with their music till seeing them on the Desk. It felt like a crash course on what I would been lacking. —Josh Newell, Tiny Desk Audio Technical Director
Nathy Peluso
The power and pleasure that Nathy Peluso dropped at Tiny Desk was infectious. The intimacy of the Desk can usually set off nerves, however Nathy confirmed up authentically pumped-up for her efficiency which you hear by way of her “woos” and laughter in between songs. Her presence on the Desk was a refreshing reminder that music, at its core, is joyful. —Kara Body, Tiny Desk video producer
311
I used to sing alongside to 311 songs in my bed room (despite the fact that I undoubtedly did not know many of the lyrics). Having that band carry out those self same songs in our workplace was tremendous nostalgic and completely superior. I discover myself rewatching this one time and again and I all the time hear and see one thing new: Anybody else see that CD named “Doug Disc” in entrance of SA’s arrange? These guys are nonetheless so tight and these 4 tracks sound just about the identical as they did 30 years in the past. —Maia Stern, Tiny Desk video producer
The LOX
When hip-hop music is organized the suitable method on the Tiny Desk, there’s nothing higher. So many important components made The LOX present nice, however the belief the trio put into the band and supporting solid catapulted their set to legendary standing. We hardly ever see a gaggle with 30 years collectively attempt one thing new. I needed to make sure that we did not attempt to duplicate the Verzuz second, however someway nonetheless reveal one other dimension to The LOX. The setlist was fastidiously crafted to the touch informal followers and the day-ones, permitting Jadakiss, Kinds P and Sheek Louch to shine individually. Whereas I do not assume we lined sufficient golden-age hip-hop on the Desk this yr, The LOX held it down firmly for now. —Bobby Carter, Tiny Desk host and sequence producer
Tierra Whack
It is easy to take these performances without any consideration. However belief me — the extent of planning and care and thought it took Tierra Whack and her crew to drag off this Tiny Desk is staggering. From her custom-made notebook-shirt to the larger-than-life pencil, paper airplanes and, in fact, cameo by The Phillie Phanatic, I sat slack-jawed by way of the complete set. And the efficiency itself was next-level, with practically a dozen songs. Bonus: You will now see that pencil resting on the Tiny Desk cabinets. —Robin Hilton, All Songs Thought-about and Tiny Desk host
Thandiswa Mazwai
Each time I watch King Tha’s Tiny Desk, it is a non secular expertise that stirs up a large number of emotions. There’s a sense of delight and honor that radiates from this efficiency; majestic, even. Her dad and mom had been journalists and political activists, and thru her music you may hear the braveness that will need to have formed the household’s life experiences. There’s additionally a way of peace and boldness of religion that means a sense of hope regardless of the societal challenges that hang-out this world we stay in. However most of all, I really feel happiness and deep gratitude to have seen this present stay in our workplace, up shut and unfiltered, and to have the ability to relive the expertise time and again. —Suraya Mohamed, Tiny Desk government producer
