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NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2016 2016
NR

  • 2016-01-05T05:00:00Z on NPR
  • 14m
  • 21h 14m (91 episodes)
  • United States
  • English
Intimate musical performances, recorded live at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.

91 episodes

Season Premiere

2016-01-05T05:00:00Z

2016x01 Rapsody

Season Premiere

2016x01 Rapsody

  • 2016-01-05T05:00:00Z14m

Watch the rapper perform three songs from Beauty And The Beast live at the NPR Music offices.

2016x02 Mariachi Flor De Toloache

  • 2016-01-08T05:00:00Z14m

While on tour with The Arcs, the powerhouse mariachi band performs live in the NPR Music offices.

2016-01-12T05:00:00Z

2016x03 Natalie Merchant

2016x03 Natalie Merchant

  • 2016-01-12T05:00:00Z14m

The singer-songwriter gives a warmhearted performance of two new songs, an old favorite and a hymn.

2016-01-15T05:00:00Z

2016x04 Benny Sings

2016x04 Benny Sings

  • 2016-01-15T05:00:00Z14m

The Dutch singer layers R&B, jazz and pop over hip-hop beats in his first-ever U.S. appearance.

2016-01-19T05:00:00Z

2016x05 River Whyless

2016x05 River Whyless

  • 2016-01-19T05:00:00Z14m

The North Carolina band fills its rootsy music with unexpected instruments and clever ideas.

2016-01-22T05:00:00Z

2016x06 Wolf Alice

2016x06 Wolf Alice

  • 2016-01-22T05:00:00Z14m

The band's music can be noisy and primal, but at the Tiny Desk it showed a different side.

2016-01-25T05:00:00Z

2016x07 The Arcs

2016x07 The Arcs

  • 2016-01-25T05:00:00Z14m

It's our 500th show at the Tiny Desk, featuring The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and his new band.

2016-01-29T05:00:00Z

2016x08 EL VY

2016x08 EL VY

  • 2016-01-29T05:00:00Z14m

The National's Matt Berninger and Menomena's Brent Knopf team up in an intimate setting.

2016-02-08T05:00:00Z

2016x09 Car Seat Headrest

2016x09 Car Seat Headrest

  • 2016-02-08T05:00:00Z14m

Will Toledo is a wordsmith with a vision, as well as a DIY sound that's still finely crafted.

2016-02-12T05:00:00Z

2016x10 Chelsea Wolfe

2016x10 Chelsea Wolfe

  • 2016-02-12T05:00:00Z14m

Wolfe takes three songs from the metallic Abyss and makes them howl by their lonesome.

2016-02-16T05:00:00Z

2016x11 Ben Folds

2016x11 Ben Folds

  • 2016-02-16T05:00:00Z14m

Performing solo, Folds performs three songs from his new album and two old favorites.

2016-02-23T05:00:00Z

2016x12 Wilco

2016x12 Wilco

  • 2016-02-23T05:00:00Z14m

Bands don't typically get to play the Tiny Desk more than once, but Wilco is a natural exception.

2016-02-27T05:00:00Z

2016x13 Brushy One String

2016x13 Brushy One String

  • 2016-02-27T05:00:00Z14m

The word-of-mouth star's sound is made by one big fat E-string and a rich, powerful voice.

2016-02-29T05:00:00Z

2016x14 Lake Street Dive

2016x14 Lake Street Dive

  • 2016-02-29T05:00:00Z14m

Performed live at the Tiny Desk, the band's songs often tilt toward soul or rock danceably.

2016-03-04T05:00:00Z

2016x15 Monsieur Periné

2016x15 Monsieur Periné

  • 2016-03-04T05:00:00Z14m

The Colombian band channels an unlikely inspiration: 1920s-era, guitar-driven jazz from the U.S.

2016-03-07T05:00:00Z

2016x16 Julien Baker

2016x16 Julien Baker

  • 2016-03-07T05:00:00Z14m

The young Tennessee singer performs three of her spare, sad, simple songs at the NPR Music offices.

2016-03-11T05:00:00Z

2016x17 Gaelynn Lea

2016x17 Gaelynn Lea

  • 2016-03-11T05:00:00Z14m

Watch the singer and violinist who stood out from 6,000-plus entries in NPR's Tiny Desk Contest.

2016-03-14T04:00:00Z

2016x18 Graham Nash

2016x18 Graham Nash

  • 2016-03-14T04:00:00Z14m

In a short set that spans 50 years, the CSNY veteran's voice resonates and cuts to the core.

2016-03-25T04:00:00Z

2016x19 Tedeschi Trucks Band

2016x19 Tedeschi Trucks Band

  • 2016-03-25T04:00:00Z14m

Singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks celebrate the blues, jazz and much more.

2016-03-28T04:00:00Z

2016x20 Anthony Hamilton

2016x20 Anthony Hamilton

  • 2016-03-28T04:00:00Z14m

Hear the soul star and his band perform "Amen," plus three songs that have defined his career.

2016-04-01T04:00:00Z

2016x21 Ane Brun

2016x21 Ane Brun

  • 2016-04-01T04:00:00Z14m

Watch Brun play three new songs, each of which speaks to newfound freedom and fresh opportunities.

2016-04-04T04:00:00Z

2016x22 PWR BTTM

2016x22 PWR BTTM

  • 2016-04-04T04:00:00Z14m

The duo has a keen sense of mischief and a gift for honest, punk-infused, tongue-in-cheek pop gems.

2016-04-08T04:00:00Z

2016x23 Mothers

2016x23 Mothers

  • 2016-04-08T04:00:00Z14m

Mothers' members chose a few of their slowest, most languid songs to perform in the NPR offices.

2016-04-11T04:00:00Z

2016x24 Palehound

2016x24 Palehound

  • 2016-04-11T04:00:00Z14m

Ellen Kempner and her band perform tense and evocative songs amid the silence of a rapt crowd.

2016-04-15T04:00:00Z

2016x25 Seratones

2016x25 Seratones

  • 2016-04-15T04:00:00Z14m

The Louisiana band takes gospel into the garage, and what comes out is fiery rock 'n' roll.

2016-04-18T04:00:00Z

2016x26 Benjamin Clementine

2016x26 Benjamin Clementine

  • 2016-04-18T04:00:00Z14m

There are intimate moments of revelation in Clementine's immersive, breathtaking performance.

2016-04-22T04:00:00Z

2016x27 Julia Holter

2016x27 Julia Holter

  • 2016-04-22T04:00:00Z14m

The most minute details become a grandiose spectacle in Holter's cosmic cabaret.

The band's punchy horn section, bluesy vocals and harmonica solos instantly demand attention.

2016-04-27T04:00:00Z

2016x29 Peter Frampton

2016x29 Peter Frampton

  • 2016-04-27T04:00:00Z14m

Frampton brought some classic songs to the Tiny Desk. We couldn't help but sing along.

2016-04-29T04:00:00Z

2016x30 Florist

2016x30 Florist

  • 2016-04-29T04:00:00Z14m

Emily Sprague performs three delicate songs with help from members of New York's Epoch collective.

2016-05-02T04:00:00Z

2016x31 Eighth Blackbird

2016x31 Eighth Blackbird

  • 2016-05-02T04:00:00Z14m

Watch the sextet perform new music by David Lang, Bryce Dessner and Robert Honstein.

2016-05-06T04:00:00Z

2016x32 Monika

2016x32 Monika

  • 2016-05-06T04:00:00Z14m

When you hear Monika, life feels good: The singer's performances and presence are simply winning.

2016-05-09T04:00:00Z

2016x33 Lara St. John

2016x33 Lara St. John

  • 2016-05-09T04:00:00Z14m

With her intrepid pianist in tow, the violinist performs rowdy tunes that will leave you breathless.

2016-05-13T04:00:00Z

2016x34 Daymé Arocena

2016x34 Daymé Arocena

  • 2016-05-13T04:00:00Z14m

Arocena's voice combines Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.

2016-05-16T04:00:00Z

2016x35 Steve Kimock

2016x35 Steve Kimock

  • 2016-05-16T04:00:00Z14m

The veteran jam-rock guitarist's dedication to his instrument is matched only by his imagination.

2016-05-20T04:00:00Z

2016x36 Andy Shauf

2016x36 Andy Shauf

  • 2016-05-20T04:00:00Z14m

The Saskatchewan singer-songwriter performs three quietly affecting songs in the NPR Music offices.

2016-05-23T04:00:00Z

2016x37 Robert Ellis

2016x37 Robert Ellis

  • 2016-05-23T04:00:00Z14m

Ellis plays thoughtfully stripped-down arrangements from his ambitious country record.

2016-05-27T04:00:00Z

2016x38 Carrie Rodriguez

2016x38 Carrie Rodriguez

  • 2016-05-27T04:00:00Z14m

Watch the singer, guitarist and fiddler play three songs that reflect her many cultural influences.

2016-05-31T04:00:00Z

2016x39 Andrew Bird

2016x39 Andrew Bird

  • 2016-05-31T04:00:00Z14m

For this performance of three new songs, Bird comes with a stripped-down acoustic band.

2016-06-03T04:00:00Z

2016x40 Barry Douglas

2016x40 Barry Douglas

  • 2016-06-03T04:00:00Z14m

Watch the award-winning Irish pianist play traditional songs from the homeland.

2016-06-06T04:00:00Z

2016x41 Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop

2016x41 Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop

  • 2016-06-06T04:00:00Z14m

Iron & Wine's singer performs three songs with the charming, inventive singer Jesca Hoop.

2016-06-10T04:00:00Z

2016x42 Weaves

2016x42 Weaves

  • 2016-06-10T04:00:00Z14m

The band's music is playful and quirky — sometimes loud, sometimes gentle and always a trip.

2016x43 Chick Corea & Gary Burton

  • 2016-06-13T04:00:00Z14m

The two highly decorated jazz legends could barely fit their instruments behind the Tiny Desk.

2016-06-17T04:00:00Z

2016x44 Alessio Bax

2016x44 Alessio Bax

  • 2016-06-17T04:00:00Z14m

For Father's Day, watch the pianist play lullabies to his daughter, who nearly steals the show.

2016-06-20T04:00:00Z

2016x45 Brandy Clark

2016x45 Brandy Clark

  • 2016-06-20T04:00:00Z14m

The country singer-songwriter has a rare gift for making any room feel warmly human.

2016-06-24T04:00:00Z

2016x46 Mashrou' Leila

2016x46 Mashrou' Leila

  • 2016-06-24T04:00:00Z14m

A rock band from Beirut performs songs that mix hedonism and hyper-literate lyrics.

2016x47 Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran

  • 2016-06-28T04:00:00Z14m

The saxophonist and pianist play three tunes that draw from their past while looking to the future.

2016-06-30T04:00:00Z

2016x48 Adia Victoria

2016x48 Adia Victoria

  • 2016-06-30T04:00:00Z14m

Performing at the NPR Music offices, Adia Victoria's voice is powerful and direct, with no artifice.

2016-07-05T04:00:00Z

2016x49 Los Hacheros

2016x49 Los Hacheros

  • 2016-07-05T04:00:00Z14m

Los Hacheros' members tap into the deep groove of Afro-Caribbean music that inspires modern salsa.

2016-07-08T04:00:00Z

2016x50 Valley Queen

2016x50 Valley Queen

  • 2016-07-08T04:00:00Z14m

Valley Queen plays with nuance and depth, rooted in a California country sound.

2016-07-12T04:00:00Z

2016x51 Jane Bunnett

2016x51 Jane Bunnett

  • 2016-07-12T04:00:00Z14m

The Canadian jazz multi-instrumentalist performs with some of the top young women musicians in Cuba.

There's a point when a jam is just a jam, but when a jam becomes a journey... man.

2016-07-18T04:00:00Z

2016x53 Gregory Porter

2016x53 Gregory Porter

  • 2016-07-18T04:00:00Z14m

Porter's music can be serious and heartwarming, but it never loses its sense of wonder and delight.

The decorated producer seizes the spotlight with songs about how extraordinary it is to be ordinary.

2016-07-25T04:00:00Z

2016x55 Xenia Rubinos

2016x55 Xenia Rubinos

  • 2016-07-25T04:00:00Z14m

Rubinos uses her Afro-Caribbean roots as a jumping-off point for inventive, provocative songs.

2016-07-29T04:00:00Z

2016x56 Lucy Dacus

2016x56 Lucy Dacus

  • 2016-07-29T04:00:00Z14m

The Virginia musician writes songs that can be thoughtful, playful and powerful.

2016-08-01T04:00:00Z

2016x57 Kevin Morby

2016x57 Kevin Morby

  • 2016-08-01T04:00:00Z14m

The singer, known for Woods and The Babies, performs carefully crafted songs with powerful lyrics.

2016-08-05T04:00:00Z

2016x58 Rachel Barton Pine

2016x58 Rachel Barton Pine

  • 2016-08-05T04:00:00Z14m

Watch the genial violinist commune with nearly 300-year-old music for solo violin by J.S. Bach.

2016-08-08T04:00:00Z

2016x59 The Jayhawks

2016x59 The Jayhawks

  • 2016-08-08T04:00:00Z14m

The beloved band displays its signature country-tinged rock and close harmonies in four new songs.

2016-08-12T04:00:00Z

2016x60 René Marie

2016x60 René Marie

  • 2016-08-12T04:00:00Z14m

Joined by her Experiment In Truth band, the jazz singer performs songs from Sound Of Red.

Watch the invigorating, genre-busting bandleader, drummer, singer and rapper perform four songs.

2016-08-19T04:00:00Z

2016x62 Eddie Palmieri

2016x62 Eddie Palmieri

  • 2016-08-19T04:00:00Z14m

An icon for modern and Latin jazz, the veteran performer continues to break tradition and innovate.

2016-08-22T04:00:00Z

2016x63 Margaret Glaspy

2016x63 Margaret Glaspy

  • 2016-08-22T04:00:00Z14m

No overplaying, no frills, just great music and an artist who sounds thrilled to be playing it.

2016-08-26T04:00:00Z

2016x64 Nina Diaz

2016x64 Nina Diaz

  • 2016-08-26T04:00:00Z14m

As a solo artist on leave from Girl In A Coma, the singer finds new ways to sound ferocious.

2016-08-29T04:00:00Z

2016x65 Big Thief

2016x65 Big Thief

  • 2016-08-29T04:00:00Z14m

The band's songs exude muscular warmth, with lyrics that are both memorable and meaningful.

2016-09-07T04:00:00Z

2016x66 William Bell

2016x66 William Bell

  • 2016-09-07T04:00:00Z14m

The 77-year-old blues and soul hitmaker returns to the spotlight with the aid of a 12-piece band.

2016-09-12T04:00:00Z

2016x67 The Secret Sisters

2016x67 The Secret Sisters

  • 2016-09-12T04:00:00Z14m

The Alabama sibling duo's music can be hymn-like: plain but powerful, heartsick and hopeful.

2016-09-16T04:00:00Z

2016x68 Saul Williams

2016x68 Saul Williams

  • 2016-09-16T04:00:00Z14m

You can feel the singer and poet's passion in every sharp, thoughtful, powerful, provocative word.

2016-09-19T04:00:00Z

2016x69 Corinne Bailey Rae

2016x69 Corinne Bailey Rae

  • 2016-09-19T04:00:00Z14m

The genre-defying English singer-songwriter performs material from her first album in six years.

2016-09-26T04:00:00Z

2016x70 Blue Man Group

2016x70 Blue Man Group

  • 2016-09-26T04:00:00Z14m

The world-famous entertainers retrofitted their instruments and confetti cannons to fit the desk.

2016x71 Joshua Bell & Jeremy Denk

  • 2016-09-30T04:00:00Z14m

Two A-list classical artists work up a sweat as they revel in the turbulent, tender music of Brahms.

2016x72 Common At The White House

  • 2016-10-04T04:00:00Z14m

The veteran rapper fronts an all-star band at the White House.

2016-10-11T04:00:00Z

2016x73 Haley Bonar

2016x73 Haley Bonar

  • 2016-10-11T04:00:00Z14m

The Minnesota singer-songwriter achieves a nifty balance of intimacy and impeccable polish.

2016-10-14T04:00:00Z

2016x74 RDGLDGRN

2016x74 RDGLDGRN

  • 2016-10-14T04:00:00Z14m

A striking mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, go-go and Brazilian sounds, fused with energy and humor.

2016x75 Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

  • 2016-10-17T04:00:00Z14m

The two songwriters celebrate the romance and vitality of the modern railroad.

2016-10-21T04:00:00Z

2016x76 Blind Pilot

2016x76 Blind Pilot

  • 2016-10-21T04:00:00Z14m

The folk-pop band performs four songs from its shimmery new album, And Then Like Lions.

2016-10-24T04:00:00Z

2016x77 Drive-By Truckers

2016x77 Drive-By Truckers

  • 2016-10-24T04:00:00Z14m

The long-running rock band holds a mirror to the hard realities of America right now.

2016-10-28T04:00:00Z

2016x78 Joseph

2016x78 Joseph

  • 2016-10-28T04:00:00Z14m

The trio strips anthemic songs down to the essentials: just sisterly harmonies and acoustic guitar.

2016-11-02T04:00:00Z

2016x79 The Westerlies

2016x79 The Westerlies

  • 2016-11-02T04:00:00Z14m

The self-described "accidental brass quartet" swims comfortably in jazz, classical and pop music.

2016-11-07T05:00:00Z

2016x80 Ta-ku & Wafia

2016x80 Ta-ku & Wafia

  • 2016-11-07T05:00:00Z14m

The two Australians' chemistry is apparent the instant you hear their voices intertwined in song.

2016-11-11T05:00:00Z

2016x81 Adam Torres

2016x81 Adam Torres

  • 2016-11-11T05:00:00Z14m

The Austin singer-songwriter showcases his high, lonesome voice and atmospheric storytelling.

2016-11-14T05:00:00Z

2016x82 John Paul White

2016x82 John Paul White

  • 2016-11-14T05:00:00Z14m

Formerly half of The Civil Wars, White returns to perform three songs from his solo debut, Beulah.

2016-11-18T05:00:00Z

2016x83 Attacca Quartet

2016x83 Attacca Quartet

  • 2016-11-18T05:00:00Z14m

The young quartet navigates smoke rings, alligators and the stormy fluctuations of the 18th century.

2016-11-21T05:00:00Z

2016x84 Tegan And Sara

2016x84 Tegan And Sara

  • 2016-11-21T05:00:00Z14m

The Canadian pop duo crafts acoustic versions of pop anthems like "Closer and "Boyfriend."

2016-11-28T05:00:00Z

2016x85 Margo Price

2016x85 Margo Price

  • 2016-11-28T05:00:00Z14m

On the morning after Election Day, Price sang three cathartic country songs loaded with new meaning.

2016-12-02T05:00:00Z

2016x86 Pinegrove

2016x86 Pinegrove

  • 2016-12-02T05:00:00Z14m

Watch the New Jersey band squeeze four songs into a scrappy, warmhearted 13-minute set.

2016-12-05T05:00:00Z

2016x87 Ro James

2016x87 Ro James

  • 2016-12-05T05:00:00Z14m

The R&B singer performs three funky, sexy, stripped-down songs from his debut album, Eldorado.

2016x88 Alsarah & The Nubatones

  • 2016-12-09T05:00:00Z14m

In the band's hands, East African music comes alive in a mix of tradition and contemporary sounds.

2016-12-12T05:00:00Z

2016x89 Gucci Mane

2016x89 Gucci Mane

  • 2016-12-12T05:00:00Z14m

The rapper has spent the year on an extended victory tour. Here are the spoils.

2016-12-16T05:00:00Z

2016x90 Derek Gripper

2016x90 Derek Gripper

  • 2016-12-16T05:00:00Z14m

The classically trained guitarist performs songs originally written for the kora.

The nine-piece band returns to the Tiny Desk to fill the air with fake snow and real joy.

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