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Doechii Anxiety MV The Shining
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Pace | Culture > Entertainment

Tiny Desks, Big Impacts: My Top 12 Favorite NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Cassidy Burry Student Contributor, Pace University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pace chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Since 2008, NPR has produced over 1,000 Tiny Desk Concerts, each ranging in its own unique style and performance. Although I will watch just about any Tiny Desk Concert, I find myself coming back to rewatch these few performances over and over again. These artists not only showcased their vocals, but also drew me in with their overall artistry and stage presence. These performances transcend my typical taste in music, and many of my favorite performances come from artists that I rarely find in my everyday playlists.  In no particular order, the following are my top 12 Tiny Desk Concerts.

  1. Mac Miller 

Mac Miller’s easy-going vibe is effortlessly shown throughout this performance. You can truly feel his personality in it, and I always find myself smiling and laughing alongside him. What a gift that he gave us with this performance right before his untimely death, just one month after this was released. Miller is one of those people you miss without ever meeting, and this performance feels less like listening to his music, and more like hanging out with him. His concert is one of the most listened to in all of NPR history, and they even released a limited edition vinyl in 2023 to honor the five-year anniversary of the performance and his last album Swimming. 

  1. Doechii 

Doechii delivered one of the most visually and aesthetically pleasing concerts in all of Tiny Desk history. The coordinating vintage academia looks showcase the cohesiveness of the whole ensemble and allow you to see how much care and effort was put into her show. Changing the melody to many of her popular songs, such as “BOOM BAP,” allowed it to feel like listening to these songs for the first time again. The all-women band and back up singers add to the artistry and align with Doechii’s overall aesthetic and persona. She does such an excellent job in showcasing the individual talent of each of her accompanying bandmates. 

  1. Bad Bunny 

Bad Bunny mentions how he truly thought he was in Puerto Rico for a second, and that is apparent through his heartfelt and passionate performance. His performance felt rather intimate and really put emphasis on his incredible vocals accompanied by the very talented band, showcasing traditional Puerto Rican instruments. In his set, he stays true to himself, displaying the light blue Puerto Rican flag front and center while singing about how people were killed for waving this flag in “LA MuDANZA,” the last song he performs. 

  1. Florence + The Machine

As powerful as Florence’s vocals are, what makes this performance so special is the way her band effortlessly matches and accompanies her. The power in her voice and delivery overtakes everything else and leaves me speechless every time. I find this performance mesmerizing and one that lingers with me, even after the 14 minutes are up. 

  1. Tyler, The Creator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1w-hDiJ4dM
Unlike most Tiny Desk Concerts, this one was filmed at night with lighting that Tyler picked himself. He and his band are drenched in pink, blue, and orange, changing for each of the three songs he performed. This completely changes the vibe and makes it feel different than any other previous NPR performance. Having his background vocalists start before he’s even on stage really draws you in and makes you excited to see how he will enter on stage. This whole production just feels like Tyler is having a good time and really being present with his band and the crowd. I find myself laughing with the crowd through the entire act. 

  1. Wu-Tang Clan

The juxtaposition of the classical instruments contrast sharply, yet beautifully, with the poetic lyrics that they rap. It is such a fun and lively concert that honors the 25-year anniversary of Wu-Tang’s first landmark album. At one point they say “We could do this sh*t all day,” and it truly seems like that. It feels as if we are just watching them hang out, and less like a formal concert.  

  1. Leon Bridges 

Leon Bridges’ soulful and raw voice overtakes my whole room whenever I play his Tiny Desk Concert. He always makes me stop what I’m doing and beacons me to just sit with his music. When he pulls out his guitar and plays while singing, it takes it to the next level, as his guitar skills are just as beautiful as his vocal abilities. Bridges says “I wrote this song in my garage once” before delivering such a tearjerking rendition of his beloved song, “River,” showcasing his down-to-earth and old-school style. Even though this came out over 10 years ago, it feels just as relevant and inspiring today. His music truly has no time restraints. 

  1. The Lumineers 

The Lumineers deliver such a classic performance that always leaves me feeling warm and happy inside. The band fully commits and it truly seems like they give their all to every song. The clear distinction of every instrument truly showcases how each one is genuinely needed to produce such a unique sound. The one instrumental song they play is such a good way to break up their set halfway through. When they ask the crowd to join in on singing, the values of the band become apparent and you see how the music is truly everything for them. 

  1. Jessie Reyez

Jessie Reyez needs to teach a master class on transitioning from one song to the next. The seamless switch from “Mutual Friend” to “Figures,” and again with “Forever” to “Imported,” showcases both her and her band’s extreme talent. Her stage presence is mesmerizing and it makes the video hard to click away from. 

  1. Koffee 

At only 19 years old, Koffee delivers such a happy and blissful reggae performance. She is the only woman and the youngest person to ever win the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, and she proves why she won it with her Tiny Desk Concert. Her background singers complement her vocal style so well, and are just as much stars as Koffee herself. 

  1. Lizzo 

From her singing, to rapping, to her flute playing skills, Lizzo is an all-around star and this performance showcases all of those skills effortlessly. Her true artistry is accompanied by her astonishing stage presence that makes all 16 minutes highly entertaining. Unlike in her studio recordings, Tiny Desk managed to show off her raw and moving vocal abilities. Lizzo is truly a one-of-a-kind performer, and manages to stay humble and funny her entire performance. The sheer volume of the crowds alludes to just how big of a star she truly is, highlighting her contagious energy. 

  1. Sting and Shaggy  

The surprising and unexpected mashup of Sting and Shaggy works better than it should. Their vocals and vibes blend effortlessly, creating a beautiful and unique sound. Listening to them sounds less like hearing a thought out and scripted concert, and more like just hearing two good friends play music together. They complement each other so well that you would never believe that they don’t regularly create music together. I can only hope for more unique mashups in the future on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

Cassidy Burry

Pace '27

Cassidy Burry is the treasurer of Her Campus and currently in her senior year at Pace University, where she is completing a double major in communications & media studies and peace & justice studies, along with a minor in digital storytelling and journalism. She has been an active member of Her Campus Pace for four years. Her passion for pursuing journalism stems from a lifelong fascination with magazines, with Vogue serving as a major source of inspiration.

Her past advocacy work included writing articles for SisterLove, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that is the first organization in the southeastern United States dedicated to women’s HIV, sexual, and reproductive justice. Cassidy feels privileged to have contributed to educating and advocating for reproductive and healthcare rights. Additionally, she completed an internship with Freedom Agenda, a nonprofit based within the Urban Justice Center. The organization spearheaded the campaign to close Rikers Island and continues to lead advocacy efforts for the rights of incarcerated individuals.

Outside of her academic and advocacy endeavors, Cassidy manages a local bakery in the heart of the Theatre District. She has an expansive appreciation for music across all genres and was named after the Grateful Dead song “Cassidy,” a namesake that has fostered meaningful connections throughout her life. She spends much of her free time listening and discovering new music. Having played competitive soccer for most of her childhood, she eagerly awaits the Women’s World Cup every four years. She is always hoping for greater recognition and equality for women in sports, and every year seems to bring more promise.