It was a banner 12 months on the Tiny Desk. We printed greater than 120 live shows 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 listing as private suggestions from the crew that makes the sequence attainable. We requested 10 members of our Tiny Desk workforce to every decide one in every of their favourite live shows of the 12 months. We hope you get an opportunity to get pleasure from them together with your family and friends this vacation season.
Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso
Argentine bones are fired in music. Born into a rustic regularly difficult 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 entire life. It is gratifying to see the well-deserved shine she’s receiving 5 years later, and her Tiny Desk is the cherry on high. 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 basic hip-hop throughline. So many gems have been dropped throughout this present, and it is actually a masterclass in creativity and musicality. —Ashley Pointer, Tiny Desk producer
Chaka Khan
I’ve at all times thought of 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 wonderful and a reminder what an actual voice feels like (speaking to you, Auto-Tune customers!). —Felix Contreras, Tiny Desk producer and Alt.Latino co-host
LaRussell
LaRussell proved that a number of the greatest performances come from musicians which have enjoyable doing what they do greatest. This was an uplifting, energetic and real live performance stuffed 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 standard for LaRussell and his sequence of Yard Residency live shows. You seldom hear hip-hop with out 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 perpetually!” over distorted combo amps felt thrilling on a visceral degree. TVOTR was a band I might at all times loved and revered, however I might by no means absolutely linked with their music till seeing them on the Desk. It felt like a crash course on what I might been lacking. —Josh Newell, Tiny Desk Audio Technical Director
Nathy Peluso
The power and pleasure that Nathy Peluso delivered to Tiny Desk was infectious. The intimacy of the Desk can typically 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 (regardless that I undoubtedly did not know a lot 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 again and again and I at all times 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 appropriate 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 forged catapulted their set to legendary standing. We not often 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 in some way nonetheless reveal one other dimension to The LOX. The setlist was rigorously crafted to the touch informal followers and the day-ones, permitting Jadakiss, Types P and Sheek Louch to shine individually. Whereas I do not assume we lined sufficient golden-age hip-hop on the Desk this 12 months, The LOX held it down firmly for now. —Bobby Carter, Tiny Desk host and sequence producer
Tierra Whack
It is simple to take these performances as a right. 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 whole 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 of and Tiny Desk host
Thandiswa Mazwai
Each time I watch King Tha’s Tiny Desk, it is a religious expertise that stirs up a mess of emotions. There’s a sense of satisfaction and honor that radiates from this efficiency; majestic, even. Her mother and father have been journalists and political activists, and thru her music you possibly can hear the braveness that should have formed the household’s life experiences. There’s additionally a way of peace and boldness of religion that implies 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 govt producer
