All of us have a favourite Tiny Desk live performance. We requested NPR photographers to share their favourite footage (once more!) and their ideas about photographing Tiny Desk concert events in 2024.
Bringing joyful vitality
I keep in mind watching Dua Lipa‘s at-home Tiny Desk in 2020 when Future Nostalgia was the one factor I listened to in the course of the pandemic, and I’ve been patiently ready for her to lastly come and carry out on the desk.
Dua Lipa is not any stranger to performing in large arenas, so it felt like complete magic to observe an artist I love a lot reimagine her songs to suit this intimate setting. She and her group introduced such a joyful vitality and we had been radically optimistic to welcome it.
— Grace Widyatmadja, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Seeing the imaginative and prescient
One of the vital stunning issues a few picture is that it is ready to seize a single second in time, and that one second can inform a full story.
To me, this picture of rapper and singer-songwriter, Doechii, tells a narrative of manifestation, encouragement and perseverance.
It is virtually just like the 4-time grammy-nominated artist is wanting ahead to her personal considerable future. I can see the imaginative and prescient as effectively.
— Alanté Serene, NPR Music Visuals Editor and Producer
My first Tiny Desk Live performance
“It was unbelievable that Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso was each the primary Tiny Desk I shot and the primary one I acquired to observe on the workplace!”
— Courtney Theophin, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Nervous begin
Nation music singer-songwriter Wyatt Flores captivated the Tiny Desk viewers together with his heartfelt efficiency.
Regardless of a barely nervous begin, Flores shortly discovered his groove and delivered his uncooked, real lyrics with charisma leaving a long-lasting impression for all viewers members.
— Sofia Seidel, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Gathering of household and associates
Juanes is a legendary family title, and the anticipation within the crowd was palpable. But, when he stepped into the area, it felt like a gathering of associates, with him desirous to share not solely his music but in addition the non-public tales behind the songs.
Photographing this Tiny Desk was a real privilege. Like his music, the visible moments had been vibrant and heat.
What made it much more particular for me was that, like a number of others within the crowd, I had introduced household to expertise this unbelievable efficiency. My aunt, particularly, who had seen him at a big live performance almost twenty years prior, was capable of expertise this intimate rendition.
It was a strong reminder of how timeless his music is and the way it continues to deliver individuals collectively.
— Virginia Lozano, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Unattainable to take a nasty picture
A variety of artists say they really feel honored to carry out Tiny Desk live performance, however that by no means rings extra true than after we get to observe the Tiny Desk contest winner.
Every year an unsigned artist is chosen from hundreds of entries from across the nation for the prospect to carry out behind the enduring desk. You may see the real glee behind each musician, typically with their households within the crowd, as they snap selfies with big grins on their faces.
However what actually set this aside was The Philharmonik himself, Christian Gates, who’s expressiveness and fervour made it unattainable for me to take a nasty picture. I do not assume anyone had a greater time behind the Tiny Desk this previous yr than he did.
Nelly Furtado and I’ve a protracted, one-sided relationship. Again within the day, I keep in mind a good friend strolling in on me as I used to be screaming the lyrics of “I am Like A Chicken.” I will not apologize for that. And in November once I added “Maneater” to our bocce group’s weekly playlist, one other participant walked as much as me and mentioned how a lot of a musical genius she is.
“She’s our technology’s Beethoven.” I used to be actually undecided if he was kidding, however how might I not agree? So attending to see her behind the Tiny Desk, wanting incredible in a sculpted faux-wet tank prime, was positively a spotlight for me this yr. Beethoven might by no means.
Enjoyable reality: Norah Jones and I each went to the identical school, The College of North Texas (Go Imply Inexperienced)! Whereas her attendance was temporary and he or she went off to win Grammys, I completed in 4 and a half years with a minor in music, a minor that my first journalism adviser known as “a waste of time.”
Capturing a musician that performs piano can typically be a problem. It is all facet profiles or the again of an upright. It takes somewhat endurance and the flexibility to anticipate these moments when the artist will lookup or smile on the viewers with fingers nonetheless perched on the keys.
Throw within the NPR brand and you have what I believed was a profitable picture. My journalism professor not too long ago handed away, however one thing tells me he would see the work I am doing now and inform me my music minor was positively a waste of time.
Perhaps it was the tequila pictures all of us took throughout her efficiency, however there was a particular buzz and vitality when Sheila E. acquired behind the Tiny Desk. The real appreciation she exhibited was inspiring.
Holding her arms in opposition to her chest as the group gave her her flowers for a profession spanning many years and a number of musical genres. It felt proper. The heat I felt inside got here from greater than the tequila, although it definitely helped.
— Michael Zamora, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Tiny particulars, mosh pit, trampolines and flowers
2024 was a breakout yr for Chappell Roan, and I may be counted among the many many individuals who lastly began paying consideration. I’ll doubtless always remember experiencing this efficiency for the primary time — noticing how a lot thought went into even the tiniest particulars, whereas it dawned on me that this individual can be my new favourite artist.
For Slo Glo, it is becoming that Tiny Desk’s first efficiency by a hardcore punk band would additionally characteristic the primary (recorded) NPR workplace mosh pit. This efficiency appears to attempt to escape seize. The mic is not at all times in the best place to listen to the lyrics. The band strikes out and in of body. Proper after the live performance, I did not know what precisely I had on my reminiscence card. The efficiency pressured me to reside within the second, and, sure, it was very enjoyable to be there.
Phish is an iconic band, recognized for his or her reside performances, improvisation and devoted followers. I look ahead to capturing moments in performances which are emblematic of an artist’s legacy. This efficiency was filled with these moments: tiny and barely bigger trampolines, weaving via the group to provide out high-fives and — notably unusual to the Tiny Desk — an encore.
Sierra Ferrell blanketed the desk in flowers, a visualization of her album title. The ensuing photographs encompass Ferrell in a burst of shade that enhances her brilliant vocals.
— Elizabeth Gillis, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Discovering inspiration and new that means
It would not matter how huge an artist or group is, the Tiny Desk is a difficult setting. It’s cramped, they’re the identical stage because the viewers, they usually clearly can see everybody within the viewers.
Each Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter launched superb albums however seeing the care of their craft was inspiring and thrilling. I used to be personally excited to seize the connection and connection between Billie and her brother Finneas.
Elemine used the child’s xylophone that Dua Lipa left a number of days earlier than, it’s simply an instance of the magic of the Tiny Desk.
Rising up, I listened continuous to Ana Tijoux‘s 1977 track. Whereas I most likely did not absolutely perceive all its that means again then, her efficiency on the desk jogged my memory of why I preferred her a lot again then and gave a brand new that means to lyrics I knew from the guts.
With Chaka Khan, you can really feel the vitality within the crowd. However as quickly as she began, she took command of the desk whereas additionally having enjoyable. Really an honor to seize this efficiency from a legend.
Josh Hager, member of Devo, go away a Devo hat on the tiny desk after their performace on Could seventeenth.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
disguise caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Typically my favourite moments to seize are after the present is over. It has develop into custom for artists to go away an merchandise on the cabinets behind the desk. Devo left one of many iconic crimson hats, or vitality domes, on prime of Chappell Roan’s wig.
Thundercat wears Mac Miller’s hat after his performace at NPR’s Tiny Desk on Nov. 15
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
disguise caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
After his efficiency with YoGabba Gabba Land! Thundercat wore a momentary Mac Miller’s hat. Thundercat has executed a number of performances on the tiny desk together with Mac Miller’s one which is the second most watched tiny desk ever.
Sabrina Carpenter was one of many final tiny desk of the yr. Carpenter was posing for some polaroid which are used to announce the upcoming tiny desks on NPR Music Instagram, I used to be taking some fast pictures behind the senses and he or she shortly seemed up and seemed on the digicam.
That is most likely my favourite picture from the desk this yr as a result of it is such a quiet and surprising second.
— Zayrha Rodriguez, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
‘He left his coronary heart on the desk’
Eladio Carrión’s Tiny Desk has a particular place in my coronary heart. Not solely as a result of we share a final title, or as a result of we each come from the identical tiny island of Puerto Rico, however as a result of he left his coronary heart on the desk, creating an intimate and private area to rap about love, fame, success, and most of all, his adoration for his mother – who he had sitting entrance row.
Carrión, the Puerto Rican rapper, additionally introduced a particular visitor, Lia Kali, a Spanish vocalist who’s voice instantly despatched chills via the room. This second was unbelievable to {photograph} – seeing Eladio and his whole group jamming alongside her.
However the spotlight needed to be on the finish of his Tiny Desk set – when he devoted the final track, “Mama’s Boy,” to his mother.
“I’ve sang this track in huge concert events, however by no means in an in depth area together with her,” Carrión explains. “So that is going to be a really particular second for me.”
He repeatedly made eye contact together with his mother and father in what felt like a really private second that we had been all aware about, and I attempted my greatest to seize that love via my digicam.
One other spotlight for me was Kehlani’s Tiny Desk. I have been a fan of hers since my childhood in school, so it was particular to see her in such an intimate area – and far shier and weak than she lets on.
She did not solely come to carry out, however to additionally make a political assertion and present assist and solidarity with Palestinians. From the keffiyeh round her waist, right down to the watermelon necklace and the Palestinian flag-themed nails, I attempted to seize all of the little particulars she dropped at the Tiny Desk.
— Keren Carrión, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
