More about: tiny desk

L-shaped shelves stacked with records and books. A small-looking desk covered with carefully curated clutter. Mugs, pen pots, figurines, trinkets. Bob Boilen’s colourful nook within the NPR offices in Washington D.C. is none other than the sight of the infamous Tiny Desk Concerts. 

“How are we feeling at this tiny-ass desk?” calls out Lizzo to the crowd gathering for the artist’s iconic Tiny Desk Concert in August 2019. Lizzo beams to the crowd’s screams, letting her voice flourish in first song ‘Cuz I Love You’. 

Artists across the globe have been gravitating towards this intimate performance space since the inception of the series in 2008. Though NPR produces a range of different media, its Tiny Desk has easily become one of its most recognisable trademarks. The story behind the concept is equally striking. Boilen claims the series “started as a joke” when him and Stephen Thompson were unimpressed after an overly loud crowd at a Laura Gibson concert. They later invited the singer-songwriter to the office, hardly anticipating the hugely successful series that would emerge as a result. 

Ironically, without access to the actual Tiny Desk during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Boilen’s concerts seemed more important than ever. Instead of performing in NPR’s offices, artists instead filmed their sets from home, creating an equally intimate concert experience. 

With the recent return of live gigs, arena tours and loud crowds, once again Tiny Desk seems to have even greater relevance, both for viewers and the artists themselves. For the latter, many have found the often-taxing nature of touring overwhelming following the end of Covid-induced isolation periods. Clairo is only one example of an artist partially struggling with inexperienced and rude crowds. Scrolling through TikTok between February and April back in 2022, it was easy to find videos of a clearly upset Clairo contending with inappropriate, objectifying screams during her Sling tour. 

After the pause in touring Covid initiated, it’s undeniable that gigs have been a shock to the system for many artists, both for better and for worse. Tiny Desk has provided a reassuring sense of comfort in these unusual times, making live performances of well-known songs widely accessible through the power of the Internet. 

There’s definitely an innate charm to these significantly smaller-scale performances. The variation in genre and instrumentation choices are apparent. Whilst Bedouine and Sheku Kanneh-Mason are amongst the artists on Tiny Desk who stand alone with just their instrument, many others creatively utilise different band members to form a rich yet still distinctly acoustic sound. dodie, one of the most recent guests on Tiny Desk, uses a four-piece string section, as well as guitar, backing singers, drums and piano. The effect is mesmerising. Between candid descriptions of each song, dodie and her fellow musicians make it clear that this living room-style performance can easily be translated to a considerably bigger stage. 

The limited instrument potential forced upon artists in this smaller setting results in highly engaging and innovative new versions of classic hits. Viewers are given an opportunity to properly hear singers’ raw vocal and instrumental talent, all whilst witnessing the collaborative relationship between stars and their bandmates. Even more importantly, Tiny Desk has provided a platform for many smaller artists who normally wouldn’t get the chance to access such a high-profile stage. 

From its early years to a post-lockdown world, Tiny Desk continues to prove its appeal concert by concert. There’s a clear reason why this NPR series racks up millions of views. It’s accessible, creative, and an opportunity for artists to intimately connect with the root of their music. We can only hope that it’s a series that won’t leave our screens anytime soon. 

Ten Must-Watch Tiny Desk Concerts

1. Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals – Anderson .Paak never fails to disappoint, and this performance is a testament to his musical talent. Simultaneously rapping and drumming, each of his songs is infused with pure funk and his innate coolness.  

2. Mac Miller – Though Mac Miller’s music sometimes has a very electronic feel, the versions on this intimate concert are beautifully acoustic and vulnerable. His unique voice and charisma shine through in this brilliant set. 

3. The Cranberries – This sensational performance definitely provides the nostalgia factor. Singing all the classics with an indescribable emotive rawness, The Cranberries wow in this concert from over a decade ago. 

4. Tyler, The Creator – The entire mood of the NPR offices is turned on its head in Tyler, The Creator’s mellow renditions of his top hits. The rapper’s charm is apparent throughout, both in the performances themselves and his hilarious remarks to the audience. 

5. Paramore – Hayley Williams’ powerful pop-punk vocals stand out in this engaging set. It perfectly captures the old-school 2010s feel of Paramore’s music whilst highlighting the new energy the band was aiming for with After Laughter. 

6. FKA twigs – There’s an indescribable rawness to FKA twigs’ voice and song writing, something which comes across abundantly in this majestic Tiny Desk (Home) set. 

7. Omar Apollo – As part of Tiny Desk’s celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, Omar Apollo delivered this perfectly curated set. Beginning with a cover of the Mexican corrido, ‘En El Olvido’, by Juan Gabriel, the artist’s voice blends exceptionally with Las Mariachis Lindas. 

8. Raveena – In this magical concert, Raveena and her band, clad in dreamy oranges and pinks, cover the office with glowing flowers and mushrooms. Raveena’s ethereal voice has a stunningly soft yet controlled quality that comes across clearly in this performance.

9. Andrew Bird – There’s a captivating sense of energy in this concert, as Andrew Bird demonstrates his impressive vocal and instrumental skills. His violin is integrated into each track, creating a uniquely folk-inspired theme throughout. 

10. Better Oblivion Community Centre – Both Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst are Tiny Desk veterans, something made clear in this playful collaboration that even features Bob Boilen making his Tiny Desk Concert debut playing the whirly tube in ‘My City’.  

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More about: tiny desk