All of us have a favourite Tiny Desk live performance. We requested NPR photographers to share their favourite photos (once more!) and their ideas about photographing Tiny Desk live shows in 2024.
Bringing joyful power
I bear in mind watching Dua Lipa‘s at-home Tiny Desk in 2020 when Future Nostalgia was the one factor I listened to throughout 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 whole magic to observe an artist I love a lot reimagine her songs to suit this intimate setting. She and her staff introduced such a joyful power and we had been radically optimistic to welcome it.
— Grace Widyatmadja, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Seeing the imaginative and prescient
Some of the lovely issues a few photograph is that it is ready to seize a single second in time, and that one second can inform a full story.
To me, this photograph of rapper and singer-songwriter, Doechii, tells a narrative of manifestation, encouragement and perseverance.
It is nearly just like the 4-time grammy-nominated artist is trying ahead to her personal plentiful 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 unimaginable that Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso was each the primary Tiny Desk I shot and the primary one I received 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 along with his heartfelt efficiency.
Regardless of a barely nervous begin, Flores shortly discovered his groove and delivered his uncooked, real lyrics with charisma leaving an enduring impression for all viewers members.
— Sofia Seidel, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Gathering of household and mates
Juanes is a legendary family title, and the anticipation within the crowd was palpable. But, when he stepped into the house, it felt like a gathering of mates, with him desperate to share not solely his music but additionally 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 unimaginable efficiency. My aunt, specifically, 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 photograph
Plenty 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.
Annually an unsigned artist is chosen from hundreds of entries from across the nation for the prospect to carry out behind the long-lasting desk. You’ll be able to see the real glee behind each musician, typically with their households within the crowd, as they snap selfies with large grins on their faces.
However what actually set this aside was The Philharmonik himself, Christian Gates, who’s expressiveness and fervour made it inconceivable for me to take a nasty photograph. I do not assume anyone had a greater time behind the Tiny Desk this previous yr than he did.
Nelly Furtado and I’ve an extended, one-sided relationship. Again within the day, I bear in mind a pal strolling in on me as I used to be screaming the lyrics of “I am Like A Hen.” I will not apologize for that. And in November after I added “Maneater” to our bocce staff’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 era’s Beethoven.” I used to be truthfully unsure if he was kidding, however how may I not agree? So attending to see her behind the Tiny Desk, trying unbelievable in a sculpted faux-wet tank high, was undoubtedly a spotlight for me this yr. Beethoven may by no means.
Enjoyable truth: Norah Jones and I each went to the identical faculty, The College of North Texas (Go Imply Inexperienced)! Whereas her attendance was transient 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 slightly persistence and the power 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 got what I assumed was a successful picture. My journalism professor just lately handed away, however one thing tells me he would see the work I am doing now and inform me my music minor was undoubtedly a waste of time.
Perhaps it was the tequila pictures all of us took throughout her efficiency, however there was a particular buzz and power when Sheila E. received behind the Tiny Desk. The real appreciation she exhibited was inspiring.
Holding her palms towards her chest as the group gave her her flowers for a profession spanning a long time and a number of musical genres. It felt proper. The heat I felt inside got here from greater than the tequila, although it actually 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 will 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 particular person 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 all the time 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, identified for his or her reside performances, improvisation and devoted followers. I look ahead to capturing moments in performances which might be emblematic of an artist’s legacy. This efficiency was stuffed with these moments: tiny and barely bigger trampolines, weaving by means of the group to offer 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 pictures encompass Ferrell in a burst of shade that enhances her brilliant vocals.
— Elizabeth Gillis, NPR Visuals Editor and Producer
Discovering inspiration and new which means
It would not matter how massive 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 just a few 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 in all probability did not totally perceive all its which 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 which means to lyrics I knew from the center.
With Chaka Khan, you may really feel the power within the crowd. However as quickly as she began, she took command of the desk whereas additionally having enjoyable. Actually 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 Might seventeenth.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Generally my favourite moments to seize are after the present is over. It has turn out to be custom for artists to go away an merchandise on the cabinets behind the desk. Devo left one of many iconic crimson hats, or power domes, on high 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
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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
After his efficiency with YoGabba Gabba Land! Thundercat wore a momentary Mac Miller’s hat. Thundercat has accomplished 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 might be used to announce the upcoming tiny desks on NPR Music Instagram, I used to be taking some fast images behind the senses and he or she shortly appeared up and appeared on the digital camera.
That is in all probability my favourite photograph from the desk this yr as a result of it is such a quiet and sudden 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 house 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 by means of the room. This second was unimaginable to {photograph} – seeing Eladio and his whole staff 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 massive live shows, however by no means in an in depth house along with her,” Carrión explains. “So that is going to be a really particular second for me.”
He repeatedly made eye contact along with his dad and mom in what felt like a really private second that we had been all aware of, and I attempted my finest to seize that love by means of my digital camera.
One other spotlight for me was Kehlani’s Tiny Desk. I have been a fan of hers since my adolescence in faculty, so it was particular to see her in such an intimate house – 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