Watch the ten greatest Tiny Desk live shows of 2024 : NPR

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 collection doable. 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 take pleasure in them along with your family and friends this vacation season.

Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso

Argentine bones are fired in music. Born into a rustic often sophisticated by financial turmoil and political upheaval, Argentina’s folks have discovered their voice, solace and inventive escape within the sounds that ricochet off their borders. First got here rock en español, Boca-born rap, and now Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso. Individuals 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

After I first found Doechii’s music again in 2019, it made me surprise 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 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 all the time thought-about Chaka Khan one of many nice vocalists of our era. 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 nearly 50 years in the past. Her efficiency right here is wonderful 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 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 full of 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 traditional for LaRussell and his collection 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 really like rock bands in small venues. There’s one thing in regards to the intimacy that will increase the vitality and reference to the band. Possibly it is a deep-rooted nostalgia from going to punk reveals 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 all the time loved and revered, however I might by no means totally related 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 vitality 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 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 fitting manner 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 hardly ever see a bunch with 30 years collectively strive 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 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 collection producer

Tierra Whack

It is easy 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 tug 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 the complete set. And the efficiency itself was next-level, with almost 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 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 dad and mom have been journalists and political activists, and thru her music you may hear the braveness that should have formed the household’s life experiences. There may be 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 repeatedly. —Suraya Mohamed, Tiny Desk government producer