In 2025, we crammed rap and rock legends, instrumental virtuosos, Broadway musicals and, effectively, puppets and robots behind a desk within the NPR Music workplace. Always remember: Tiny Desk has the vary.
We revealed 115 (!) concert events this 12 months. There isn’t any method to embody the scope of such a stellar and various roster — Unhealthy Bunny! Residing Color! Wiz Khalifa! PinkPantheress! — so we requested the group that produces, movies, engineers and edits these movies to share their favourite Tiny Desks of 2025, yearbook superlative type.
More than likely to shock you: Rico Nasty
I’ve seen fairly a number of Tiny Desk Concert events stay, however not many incite an audible gasp from the viewers like Rico Nasty’s. The DMV native rapper knew that she wished her efficiency to be completely different than every other she had seen earlier than — and I would say that was successful. She begins her efficiency like every other odd present, however then out of the blue the lights exit and the workplace area is totally darkish. The viewers gasps, pondering there could also be a technical concern, solely to then be delighted to see a wonderful inexperienced hue fade onto the cabinets and a highlight beam onto Rico, shining virtually as vibrant as she does. It is a second that is laborious to neglect and stands out as one among my favorites of the 12 months. —Alanté Serene, video producer
Most objects left behind: 31 Minutos
31 Minutos would possibly maintain the report for many superlatives that may describe its Tiny Desk live performance: Most chaos behind the Desk, most individuals operating round, most individuals behind the cabinets, most views within the first 24 hours, to call a number of. However my favourite of all of them is that this: 31 Minutos left behind essentially the most (and most random!) objects on the cabinets that we proceed to search out to this present day! —Kara Body, video producer
More than likely to make your engineer query themself: clipping.
“Is that this the best microphone for that espresso mug?” Recording in an workplace area usually takes some artistic microphone decisions, and clipping. took the problem to a brand new degree with its Tiny Desk efficiency. The setup required coming within the night time earlier than to work out the logistics of capturing beats made utilizing widespread workplace objects. For you audio fanatics, we advise large-diaphragm dynamic mics for cardboard field kick drums and a shelving EQ to convey out the ball chain on tinfoil sound of your pizza field snare. —Josh Newell, audio technical director and engineer
Greatest Tiny Desk for a gradual, sensual night time in: Alex Isley
Alex Isley’s voice is effortlessly intimate and her Tiny Desk efficiency unfolds like a candlelit night meant to be savored. Every music drapes the room in softness, which pairs completely with bottle of wine, fastidiously chosen hors d’oeuvres and a heat that encourages you to remain some time. —Ashley Pointer, producer
Greatest use of folklore: Ruby Ibarra
Ruby Ibarra’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest successful music, “Bakunawa,” is rooted in a Filipino fantasy a few dragon who swallows the moon. Textured with commentary on immigration, assimilation and cultural reckoning, Ibarra’s total Tiny Desk is a braided narrative that expertly weaves folklore with the trustworthy historical past of battle. Ibarra was already a star to the diaspora — particularly to her fellow Bay Space Filipinas — however this Tiny Desk introduced her as much as the moon. —Dhanika Pineda, producer
Most contained in the pocket: Parcels
I would been a fan of this band for years, operating its jams throughout a few of my DJ units, however I used to be clearly unfamiliar with how Parcels really acquired down. Not solely am I kicking myself for not producing this present, I wasn’t even within the constructing the day they shot it. Fortunately, my colleague Isabella Gomez Sarmiento stepped up. I am obsessive about how these 5 Australians evenly distribute all duties within the music. The whole lot is tucked into the right pocket, holding at the least one factor in your physique shifting for practically 19 minutes. We do not even have time to speak about these flawless harmonies. It is like butter, child!! —Bobby Carter, collection producer
More than likely to make you contact grass: Oklou
With a crackling hearth fabricated from snapped twigs, bubble wrap, tinfoil and a comfortable whistle, Oklou sings of a love so fragile she will’t assist however grasp it too tightly in her fingers. Because the eight-piece choir swells behind her, so does the sounds of crickets. It is virtually just like the French countryside seems behind the Tiny Desk and we’re all laying within the grass trying up on the stars. —Dora Levite, producer
More than likely to make you wanna cry (in a great way): Faye Webster
It is not shocking that the swelling string preparations in Faye Webster’s Tiny Desk would invoke moist eyes. Webster’s locked-in eight-piece band begins with “In a Good Manner,” as Webster hints at a form of love that surprises you with its profundity. However if you happen to stick round till the top of the efficiency, you may see the half that makes me teary: “Jonny” and its spoken phrase reprise, which Webster performs as if in a trance. —Elle Mannion, producer
More than likely to listen to drums in each mic enter: Ghost-Notice
It is uncommon that we’ve got the drums entrance and middle for a Tiny Desk, but it surely looks as if every time we do, it completely pays off. Proper off the bat, the keys made me consider plenty of the music from Hey Arnold! (This can be a great point!) The musicians play so tightly, but the music compels your physique to loosen up. An electrifying power and the form of groove you may’t sit nonetheless to. —Josephine Nyounai, audio engineer
Most intense, but additionally most teary-eyed: Clipse
There are moments throughout Clipse’s Tiny Desk when issues really feel a bit tense. Pusha T and Malice stare into the lens and it appears like they stare immediately into the souls of the viewers, placing everybody on discover and proving why the duo’s comeback was so essential for hip-hop. Then after blistering bravado, the Thornton brothers present their weak facet as they carry out “Birds Do not Sing,” a music devoted to their lately deceased dad and mom that left only a few dry eyes within the room. —Joshua Bryant, video producer
Most mellow groove: Jeff Parker ETA IVtet
“A hug for the thoughts.” “An antidote.” “Nearly forgot feeling this calm is the purpose.” These YouTube feedback mirror my very own sentiments for this meditative and fully improvised set. Jeff Parker’s contact is so mild, but so deep, with a band that sits in and stirs up the stillness. —Lars Gotrich, producer and collection editor
More than likely to leap on after which off the Tiny Desk with out us figuring out upfront: Turnstile
The whole lot about this efficiency was simply so enjoyable, particularly for me to movie! We allowed for barely extra jumpy digital camera actions along with our normal gradual zooms and pans. We invited slightly little bit of chaos for the final music, however then Brendan Yates jumped onto the Desk after which jumped proper onto the viewers — one thing we did not plan! We did not know! We in all probability ought to have recognized, although. Subsequent time we’ll take away the sunshine diffuser, that is on us. —Maia Stern, lead video producer
Most vocal acrobatics: Michael Mayo
Ever heard a singer whose voice is the embodiment of Simone Biles? Michael Mayo’s Tiny Desk is a successful gymnastics exhibition for the ears. Mayo’s vocal chords launch notes into somersaults, double twists and leaps, solidly sticking every touchdown. Mayo’s vocal teammates Alita Moses, India Carney and Tomás Cruz every contribute their very own twist outs and backflips that make this a Staff Gold Medal efficiency. —Mitra I. Arthur, video producer
More than likely to show the Tiny Desk right into a tiny chapel: CeCe Winans
By sharing private testimonies, providing prayers and focusing her message on religion and the goodness of God, CeCe Winans creates a home of worship wherever she performs. This fosters fellowship and religious upliftment worldwide, however we felt particularly blessed by her presence. —Neil Tevault, audio engineer
More than likely to interrupt your waist: Machel Montano
When Machel Montano introduced energy soca was up subsequent in his set, there have been solely two applicable responses: to place your flag within the air and, extra importantly, to “buss” a fast stretch — unprepared decrease backs and knees are each humbled by his music! “Look bother now,” are the primary phrases of “Like Ah Boss,” and it behooved everybody within the workplace to take heed of the King of Soca’s proclamation. —Nikki Birch, video producer
More than likely to upset a fandom: SEVENTEEN
Regardless of months of planning and preparation, the SEVENTEEN live performance did not end up as anticipated. Days earlier than the recording, DK — one of many leaders of the vocal unit — misplaced his voice. Realizing it could doubtless be years earlier than we may reschedule, our groups determined to proceed with out him. Little did we all know how really upset the followers (aka Carats) could be! After hundreds of indignant feedback on Instagram and YouTube, we messaged the viewers to elucidate the state of affairs. What felt like a catastrophe, fortunately settled down. —Suraya Mohamed, government producer
Friendliest band: Sandbox Percussion
Regardless of scrambling to get the huge array of Sandbox Percussion’s devices (all the pieces from a vibraphone to plumbing pipes and water-filled wine glasses) arrange completely in time for our pre-taping rehearsal, the 4 lads within the band couldn’t have been extra chill. And, as soon as they began banging on stuff, they performed with extensive smiles, having the time of their lives. —Tom Huizenga, producer
The Unheralded Hero: “El Papa,” bassist for Carlos Vives
Do not inform the opposite band members, however the greatest secret of Tiny Desk is that the bass participant usually wears the Tremendous Hero cape. Combining melody, groove and delicate, tasty licks is not any imply feat and my 2025 standout is Luis Ángel “El Papa” Pastor. He actually propels Carlos Vives’ efficiency of Colombian people music by shadowing each the percussion and the melodic devices. Bass gamers, man. Dig into our archive and see if I ain’t lyin’. —Felix Contreras, El Tiny producer
