NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2011

83 episodes · Jan 3, 2011

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  • Abigail Washburn
    S4E1

    Abigail Washburn

    Jan 3, 2011

    Watch the singer-songwriter mix American bluegrass and Chinese folk from the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Gyptian
    S4E2

    Gyptian

    Jan 5, 2011

    The reggae star performs his hit "Hold You" and more from the NPR Music offices in Washington, D.C.

    Reviews
  • David Wax Museum
    S4E3

    David Wax Museum

    Jan 9, 2011

    The band brings a frenetic, infectious blend of American and Mexican folk to the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal
    S4E4

    Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal

    Jan 17, 2011

    The masterful kora-and-cello duo performs a transfixing set combining African and European strings.

    Reviews
  • Iron And Wine
    S4E5

    Iron And Wine

    Jan 21, 2011

    Sam Beam gives a fresh side of his new songs at NPR, and tops it off with a devastating 2004 gem.

    Reviews
  • Basia Bulat
    S4E6

    Basia Bulat

    Jan 24, 2011

    The Canadian singer-songwriter sings highlights from her two albums, plus a surprise from Poland.

    Reviews
  • Richard Thompson
    S4E7

    Richard Thompson

    Feb 1, 2011

    Watch the folk-rock legend perform songs from his 20th solo album, Dream Attic, at NPR Music.

    Reviews
  • Stars
    S4E8

    Stars

    Feb 3, 2011

    Watch Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell transform three of Stars' songs into spare, pretty folk music.

    Reviews
  • Ivan And Alyosha
    S4E9

    Ivan And Alyosha

    Feb 7, 2011

    The band showcases its Beatles-esque pop harmonies and sweet melodies from the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Esperanza Spalding
    S4E10

    Esperanza Spalding

    Feb 12, 2011

    The jazz bassist, singer and Best New Artist Grammy winner performs in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Turtle Island Quartet
    S4E11

    Turtle Island Quartet

    Feb 16, 2011

    With an eclectic palette of sounds and styles, the Turtle Island Quartet swings at NPR Music.

    Reviews
  • Adele
    S4E12

    Adele

    Feb 17, 2011

    In a three-song set at the NPR Music offices, the U.K. pop star showcases her brilliant voice.

    Reviews
  • Local Natives
    S4E13

    Local Natives

    Feb 21, 2011

    The L.A. band brings its euphoric choruses and clattering Afrobeat rhythms to the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Damien Jurado
    S4E14

    Damien Jurado

    Feb 28, 2011

    Hear Jurado's raw, time-worn, authentically graceful music, performed in the NPR Music office.

    Reviews
  • Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys
    S4E15

    Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys

    Mar 7, 2011

    Watch the Grammy-nominated Cajun band play an upbeat yet bittersweet set from the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Lizz Wright
    S4E16

    Lizz Wright

    Mar 14, 2011

    In this two-song set at the NPR Music offices, Wright channels the gospel and soul of her past.

    Reviews
  • Nellie McKay
    S4E17

    Nellie McKay

    Apr 4, 2011

    McKay's bold, audacious personality shines in this set recorded at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
    S4E18

    Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

    Apr 6, 2011

    Hear the Refugee All Stars' upbeat reggae grooves, performed live at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Josh Ritter
    S4E19

    Josh Ritter

    Apr 11, 2011

    Ritter can't hide his enjoyment of a performance, even when his songs convey obsession or disaster.

    Reviews
  • Otis Taylor
    S4E20

    Otis Taylor

    Apr 13, 2011

    Watch the banjo player perform his trademark trance-inducing blues at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Mount Kimbie
    S4E21

    Mount Kimbie

    Apr 18, 2011

    Watch the dubstep duo perform our first-ever electronic Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR offices.

    Reviews
  • Pokey LaFarge
    S4E22

    Pokey LaFarge

    Apr 20, 2011

    Watch LaFarge play '20s- and '30s-inspired music with the help of his band, The South City Three.

    Reviews
  • Steve Earle
    S4E23

    Steve Earle

    Apr 25, 2011

    A singer, author, actor and activist, Earle showcases many of his talents at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Wu Man
    S4E24

    Wu Man

    Apr 27, 2011

    Watch the world's reigning pipa virtuoso play ancient music from her Chinese homeland.

    Reviews
  • Booker T. Jones
    S4E25

    Booker T. Jones

    May 2, 2011

    Jones' name is synonymous with the Hammond B3 organ. Watch him play one in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Julieta Venegas
    S4E26

    Julieta Venegas

    May 9, 2011

    After six albums, including last year's Otra Cosa, Venegas is still defying expectations.

    Reviews
  • Neil Innes
    S4E27

    Neil Innes

    May 11, 2011

    Watch the Rutles alumnus play three of his classic satirical songs in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Future Islands
    S4E28

    Future Islands

    May 16, 2011

    Watch the band's short but intense and cathartic set, performed live in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Low
    S4E29

    Low

    May 22, 2011

    Singers Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker perform three songs from their gorgeous new album, C'mon.

    Reviews
  • Jackie Evancho
    S4E30

    Jackie Evancho

    May 23, 2011

    Watch the 11-year-old perform Handel's "Ombra mai fu" at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • The Kopecky Family Band
    S4E31

    The Kopecky Family Band

    Jun 6, 2011

    The Tennessee band's sweet, swollen folk-rock songs keep blooming into something irresistible.

    Reviews
  • The Black Angels
    S4E32

    The Black Angels

    Jun 8, 2011

    Hear a bold and surprising mix of sensibilities — at once icy and rustic, cavernous and confined.

    Reviews
  • Chris Thile And Michael Daves
    S4E33

    Chris Thile And Michael Daves

    Jun 13, 2011

    Watch Thile and Daves play traditional bluegrass with New York intensity at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Charlie Siem
    S4E34

    Charlie Siem

    Jun 15, 2011

    Watch the stylish young violinist pull out a bag of tricks in music by Paganini.

    Reviews
  • The Decemberists
    S4E35

    The Decemberists

    Jun 20, 2011

    With Chris Funk and Sara Watkins, Colin Meloy plays three sparkling songs from The King Is Dead.

    Reviews
  • YACHT
    S4E36

    YACHT

    Jun 22, 2011

    Watch the electro-pop band's striking and infectious performance at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • The Civil Wars
    S4E37

    The Civil Wars

    Jun 27, 2011

    Watch Joy Williams and John Paul White's swooning chemistry and stirring harmonies at NPR Music.

    Reviews
  • Milos
    S4E38

    Milos

    Jun 30, 2011

    Watch the newcomer from Montenegro play Spanish standards and a passionate ode to his homeland.

    Reviews
  • The Blind Boys Of Alabama
    S4E39

    The Blind Boys Of Alabama

    Jul 5, 2011

    Hear the gospel greats' mix of polished blues, swinging soul and from-the-gut expressions of faith.

    Reviews
  • Julian Lage Trio
    S4E40

    Julian Lage Trio

    Jul 7, 2011

    The guitarist, 23, was once called a prodigy. But he's maturing into a distinctive bandleader, too.

    Reviews
  • Ben Sollee
    S4E41

    Ben Sollee

    Jul 11, 2011

    The genre-bending cellist and songwriter has created a unique take on folk music.

    Reviews
  • Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock
    S4E42

    Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock

    Jul 18, 2011

    Boyd reads from White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s, while Hitchcock plays songs from the era.

    Reviews
  • Y La Bamba
    S4E43

    Y La Bamba

    Jul 21, 2011

    Watch Luzelena Mendoza and Y La Bamba craft joyfully rich vocal harmonies in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Givers
    S4E44

    Givers

    Jul 24, 2011

    At the NPR offices, the band plays a sunny, exuberant set, suitable for dancing and bobbing along.

    Reviews
  • They Might Be Giants
    S4E45

    They Might Be Giants

    Jul 28, 2011

    Watch the band perform two of its brand-new songs, as well as "Fingertips," a classic 1992 chestnut.

    Reviews
  • Amanda Shires
    S4E46

    Amanda Shires

    Aug 3, 2011

    The singer plays a charming set featuring songs from Carrying Lightning at the Tiny Desk.

    Reviews
  • Noah And The Whale
    S4E47

    Noah And The Whale

    Aug 10, 2011

    The London band plugs in its drum machine, but sweet simplicity still reigns in the NPR offices.

    Reviews
  • Paul Jacobs
    S4E48

    Paul Jacobs

    Aug 12, 2011

    Watch the miraculous hands (and feet) of the Grammy-winning organist in an all-Bach performance.

    Reviews
  • Gaby Moreno
    S4E49

    Gaby Moreno

    Aug 15, 2011

    Watch the Guatemalan singer's breathtaking and passionate set at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Other Lives
    S4E50

    Other Lives

    Aug 18, 2011

    The Oklahoma band brings its spacious minor-key hymns to the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • James Vincent McMorrow
    S4E51

    James Vincent McMorrow

    Aug 25, 2011

    The Irishman has one of the most arresting voices of any young singer you're likely to hear.

    Reviews
  • CALLmeKAT
    S4E52

    CALLmeKAT

    Aug 29, 2011

    Watch the synth-pop musician perform a hauntingly beautiful set at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Phosphorescent
    S4E53

    Phosphorescent

    Sep 1, 2011

    Watch Matthew Houck play a stirring, road-ragged solo Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • King Creosote And Jon Hopkins
    S4E54

    King Creosote And Jon Hopkins

    Sep 4, 2011

    Diamond Mine's unassuming creators lose little of their charm and mystique in the NPR Music office.

    Reviews
  • Foster The People
    S4E55

    Foster The People

    Sep 9, 2011

    Armed with the summer song of 2011, the band brings "Pumped Up Kicks" and more to NPR Music.

    Reviews
  • Diego Garcia
    S4E56

    Diego Garcia

    Sep 12, 2011

    Watch the former Elefant frontman perform songs from his album Laura at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Sean Rowe
    S4E57

    Sean Rowe

    Sep 16, 2011

    Rowe brings his booming voice and ever-louder acoustic-guitar set-ups to the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Jeremy Messersmith
    S4E58

    Jeremy Messersmith

    Sep 19, 2011

    The Twin Cities singer is a pop genius, with creative ambition to match his considerable charm.

    Reviews
  • Beirut
    S4E59

    Beirut

    Sep 21, 2011

    Beirut performs worldly, inspired songs from its new album The Rip Tide at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Jenny Lin
    S4E60

    Jenny Lin

    Sep 26, 2011

    The pianist usually plays eight-foot Steinways. See what she does on an electronic keyboard.

    Reviews
  • The Klezmatics
    S4E61

    The Klezmatics

    Sep 28, 2011

    Ring in Rosh Hashanah with three globe-trotting tunes from one of the world's greatest Jewish bands.

    Reviews
  • Trombone Shorty
    S4E62

    Trombone Shorty

    Sep 29, 2011

    The New Orleans native achieved stardom with his voice and his horn. But he just wants you to dance.

    Reviews
  • Mates Of State
    S4E63

    Mates Of State

    Oct 5, 2011

    The band's performance in the NPR Music offices creates a vibe of ragged, awkward intimacy.

    Reviews
  • Fountains Of Wayne
    S4E64

    Fountains Of Wayne

    Oct 6, 2011

    These songs showcase a band with tremendous narrative gifts and a flair for subtle beauty.

    Reviews
  • JEFF The Brotherhood
    S4E65

    JEFF The Brotherhood

    Oct 8, 2011

    Of course, the power-punk duo took off their shirts at the NPR Music offices, because why not?

    Reviews
  • Grouplove
    S4E66

    Grouplove

    Oct 11, 2011

    The upstart band brings youthful, infectious energy to the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Chris Bathgate
    S4E67

    Chris Bathgate

    Oct 14, 2011

    The Michigan native's deliberately paced music is too rustic and pretty to be a true downer.

    Reviews
  • Wilco
    S4E68

    Wilco

    Oct 17, 2011

    Armed with tiny amps and a ton of grace, Wilco plays new songs and an old favorite at the Tiny Desk.

    Reviews
  • Hilary Hahn
    S4E69

    Hilary Hahn

    Oct 21, 2011

    The classical violinist blends Bach and Charles Ives with flair, then tops it off with a fedora.

    Reviews
  • Ben Williams And Sound Effect
    S4E70

    Ben Williams And Sound Effect

    Oct 24, 2011

    The jazz star and his band perform two songs from their album State of Art at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Lisa Hannigan
    S4E71

    Lisa Hannigan

    Oct 29, 2011

    Exuding both musical and personal warmth, the Irish singer mesmerized at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Juanes
    S4E72

    Juanes

    Nov 3, 2011

    Watch the charismatic Colombian superstar give an intimate performance at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Jens Lekman
    S4E73

    Jens Lekman

    Nov 7, 2011

    The Swedish singer shows off his humor and charm in this intimate set at the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Marketa Irglova
    S4E74

    Marketa Irglova

    Nov 10, 2011

    At the NPR Music offices, Irglova mixes the exotic and the familiar; sweetness and longing.

    Reviews
  • Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan
    S4E75

    Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan

    Nov 17, 2011

    The genre-bending cellist heads a dream team of string players who borrow from bluegrass.

    Reviews
  • Joe Henry
    S4E76

    Joe Henry

    Nov 21, 2011

    Asking the fearless, easygoing singer to perform in a crowded office never felt like an imposition.

    Reviews
  • Hospital Ships
    S4E77

    Hospital Ships

    Nov 23, 2011

    Hospital Ships' beautiful, crushing songs pack an emotional punch in this performance at NPR Music.

    Reviews
  • Gabriel Kahane
    S4E78

    Gabriel Kahane

    Nov 26, 2011

    Hear the agile musician's rigorously crafted songs, which fall somewhere between classical and pop.

    Reviews
  • tUnE-yArDs
    S4E79

    tUnE-yArDs

    Dec 1, 2011

    tUnE-yArDs sings of rage and inequality, but also celebrates the joy of letting out a wild sound.

    Reviews
  • I Wayne
    S4E80

    I Wayne

    Dec 12, 2011

    As the cameras rolled, the reggae star came to life, showcasing his smooth voice and vibrant energy.

    Reviews
  • Gem Club
    S4E81

    Gem Club

    Dec 16, 2011

    Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.

    Reviews
  • The Music Tapes
    S4E82

    The Music Tapes

    Dec 20, 2011

    The Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.

    Reviews
  • Maria Volonte
    S4E83

    Maria Volonte

    Dec 27, 2011

    The Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.

    Reviews