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Season 2016
January 5, 2016

Season 2016

01. Rapsody

Watch the rapper perform three songs from Beauty And The Beast live at the NPR Music offices.

January 5, 2016

02. Mariachi Flor De Toloache

While on tour with The Arcs, the powerhouse mariachi band performs live in the NPR Music offices.

January 8, 2016

03. Natalie Merchant

The singer-songwriter gives a warmhearted performance of two new songs, an old favorite and a hymn.

January 12, 2016

04. Benny Sings

The Dutch singer layers R&B, jazz and pop over hip-hop beats in his first-ever U.S. appearance.

January 15, 2016

05. River Whyless

The North Carolina band fills its rootsy music with unexpected instruments and clever ideas.

January 19, 2016

06. Wolf Alice

The band's music can be noisy and primal, but at the Tiny Desk it showed a different side.

January 22, 2016

07. The Arcs

It's our 500th show at the Tiny Desk, featuring The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and his new band.

January 25, 2016

08. EL VY

The National's Matt Berninger and Menomena's Brent Knopf team up in an intimate setting.

January 29, 2016

09. Car Seat Headrest

Will Toledo is a wordsmith with a vision, as well as a DIY sound that's still finely crafted.

February 8, 2016

10. Chelsea Wolfe

Wolfe takes three songs from the metallic Abyss and makes them howl by their lonesome.

February 12, 2016

11. Ben Folds

Performing solo, Folds performs three songs from his new album and two old favorites.

February 16, 2016

12. Wilco

Bands don't typically get to play the Tiny Desk more than once, but Wilco is a natural exception.

February 23, 2016

13. Brushy One String

The word-of-mouth star's sound is made by one big fat E-string and a rich, powerful voice.

February 27, 2016

14. Lake Street Dive

Performed live at the Tiny Desk, the band's songs often tilt toward soul or rock danceably.

February 29, 2016

15. Monsieur Periné

The Colombian band channels an unlikely inspiration: 1920s-era, guitar-driven jazz from the U.S.

March 4, 2016

16. Julien Baker

The young Tennessee singer performs three of her spare, sad, simple songs at the NPR Music offices.

March 7, 2016

17. Gaelynn Lea

Watch the singer and violinist who stood out from 6,000-plus entries in NPR's Tiny Desk Contest.

March 11, 2016

18. Graham Nash

In a short set that spans 50 years, the CSNY veteran's voice resonates and cuts to the core.

March 14, 2016

19. Tedeschi Trucks Band

Singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks celebrate the blues, jazz and much more.

March 25, 2016

20. Anthony Hamilton

Hear the soul star and his band perform "Amen," plus three songs that have defined his career.

March 28, 2016

21. Ane Brun

Watch Brun play three new songs, each of which speaks to newfound freedom and fresh opportunities.

April 1, 2016

22. PWR BTTM

The duo has a keen sense of mischief and a gift for honest, punk-infused, tongue-in-cheek pop gems.

April 4, 2016

23. Mothers

Mothers' members chose a few of their slowest, most languid songs to perform in the NPR offices.

April 8, 2016

24. Palehound

Ellen Kempner and her band perform tense and evocative songs amid the silence of a rapt crowd.

April 11, 2016

25. Seratones

The Louisiana band takes gospel into the garage, and what comes out is fiery rock 'n' roll.

April 15, 2016

26. Benjamin Clementine

There are intimate moments of revelation in Clementine's immersive, breathtaking performance.

April 18, 2016

27. Julia Holter

The most minute details become a grandiose spectacle in Holter's cosmic cabaret.

April 22, 2016

28. Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

The band's punchy horn section, bluesy vocals and harmonica solos instantly demand attention.

April 25, 2016

29. Peter Frampton

Frampton brought some classic songs to the Tiny Desk. We couldn't help but sing along.

April 27, 2016

30. Florist

Emily Sprague performs three delicate songs with help from members of New York's Epoch collective.

April 29, 2016

31. Eighth Blackbird

Watch the sextet perform new music by David Lang, Bryce Dessner and Robert Honstein.

May 2, 2016

32. Monika

When you hear Monika, life feels good: The singer's performances and presence are simply winning.

May 6, 2016

33. Lara St. John

With her intrepid pianist in tow, the violinist performs rowdy tunes that will leave you breathless.

May 9, 2016

34. Daymé Arocena

Arocena's voice combines Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.

May 13, 2016

35. Steve Kimock

The veteran jam-rock guitarist's dedication to his instrument is matched only by his imagination.

May 16, 2016

36. Andy Shauf

The Saskatchewan singer-songwriter performs three quietly affecting songs in the NPR Music offices.

May 20, 2016

37. Robert Ellis

Ellis plays thoughtfully stripped-down arrangements from his ambitious country record.

May 23, 2016

38. Carrie Rodriguez

Watch the singer, guitarist and fiddler play three songs that reflect her many cultural influences.

May 27, 2016

39. Andrew Bird

For this performance of three new songs, Bird comes with a stripped-down acoustic band.

May 31, 2016

40. Barry Douglas

Watch the award-winning Irish pianist play traditional songs from the homeland.

June 3, 2016

41. Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop

Iron & Wine's singer performs three songs with the charming, inventive singer Jesca Hoop.

June 6, 2016

42. Weaves

The band's music is playful and quirky — sometimes loud, sometimes gentle and always a trip.

June 10, 2016

43. Chick Corea & Gary Burton

The two highly decorated jazz legends could barely fit their instruments behind the Tiny Desk.

June 13, 2016

44. Alessio Bax

For Father's Day, watch the pianist play lullabies to his daughter, who nearly steals the show.

June 17, 2016

45. Brandy Clark

The country singer-songwriter has a rare gift for making any room feel warmly human.

June 20, 2016

46. Mashrou' Leila

A rock band from Beirut performs songs that mix hedonism and hyper-literate lyrics.

June 24, 2016

47. Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran

The saxophonist and pianist play three tunes that draw from their past while looking to the future.

June 28, 2016

48. Adia Victoria

Performing at the NPR Music offices, Adia Victoria's voice is powerful and direct, with no artifice.

June 30, 2016

49. Los Hacheros

Los Hacheros' members tap into the deep groove of Afro-Caribbean music that inspires modern salsa.

July 5, 2016

50. Valley Queen

Valley Queen plays with nuance and depth, rooted in a California country sound.

July 8, 2016

51. Jane Bunnett

The Canadian jazz multi-instrumentalist performs with some of the top young women musicians in Cuba.

July 12, 2016

52. Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band

There's a point when a jam is just a jam, but when a jam becomes a journey... man.

July 15, 2016

53. Gregory Porter

Porter's music can be serious and heartwarming, but it never loses its sense of wonder and delight.

July 18, 2016

54. John Congleton And The Nighty Nite

The decorated producer seizes the spotlight with songs about how extraordinary it is to be ordinary.

July 22, 2016

55. Xenia Rubinos

Rubinos uses her Afro-Caribbean roots as a jumping-off point for inventive, provocative songs.

July 25, 2016

56. Lucy Dacus

The Virginia musician writes songs that can be thoughtful, playful and powerful.

July 29, 2016

57. Kevin Morby

The singer, known for Woods and The Babies, performs carefully crafted songs with powerful lyrics.

August 1, 2016

58. Rachel Barton Pine

Watch the genial violinist commune with nearly 300-year-old music for solo violin by J.S. Bach.

August 5, 2016

59. The Jayhawks

The beloved band displays its signature country-tinged rock and close harmonies in four new songs.

August 8, 2016

60. René Marie

Joined by her Experiment In Truth band, the jazz singer performs songs from Sound Of Red.

August 12, 2016

61. Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Watch the invigorating, genre-busting bandleader, drummer, singer and rapper perform four songs.

August 15, 2016

62. Eddie Palmieri

An icon for modern and Latin jazz, the veteran performer continues to break tradition and innovate.

August 19, 2016

63. Margaret Glaspy

No overplaying, no frills, just great music and an artist who sounds thrilled to be playing it.

August 22, 2016

64. Nina Diaz

As a solo artist on leave from Girl In A Coma, the singer finds new ways to sound ferocious.

August 26, 2016

65. Big Thief

The band's songs exude muscular warmth, with lyrics that are both memorable and meaningful.

August 29, 2016

66. William Bell

The 77-year-old blues and soul hitmaker returns to the spotlight with the aid of a 12-piece band.

September 7, 2016

67. The Secret Sisters

The Alabama sibling duo's music can be hymn-like: plain but powerful, heartsick and hopeful.

September 12, 2016

68. Saul Williams

You can feel the singer and poet's passion in every sharp, thoughtful, powerful, provocative word.

September 16, 2016

69. Corinne Bailey Rae

The genre-defying English singer-songwriter performs material from her first album in six years.

September 19, 2016

70. Blue Man Group

The world-famous entertainers retrofitted their instruments and confetti cannons to fit the desk.

September 26, 2016

71. Joshua Bell & Jeremy Denk

Two A-list classical artists work up a sweat as they revel in the turbulent, tender music of Brahms.

September 30, 2016

72. Common At The White House

The veteran rapper fronts an all-star band at the White House.

October 4, 2016

73. Haley Bonar

The Minnesota singer-songwriter achieves a nifty balance of intimacy and impeccable polish.

October 11, 2016

74. RDGLDGRN

A striking mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, go-go and Brazilian sounds, fused with energy and humor.

October 14, 2016

75. Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

The two songwriters celebrate the romance and vitality of the modern railroad.

October 17, 2016

76. Blind Pilot

The folk-pop band performs four songs from its shimmery new album, And Then Like Lions.

October 21, 2016

77. Drive-By Truckers

The long-running rock band holds a mirror to the hard realities of America right now.

October 24, 2016

78. Joseph

The trio strips anthemic songs down to the essentials: just sisterly harmonies and acoustic guitar.

October 28, 2016

79. The Westerlies

The self-described "accidental brass quartet" swims comfortably in jazz, classical and pop music.

November 2, 2016

80. Ta-ku & Wafia

The two Australians' chemistry is apparent the instant you hear their voices intertwined in song.

November 7, 2016

81. Adam Torres

The Austin singer-songwriter showcases his high, lonesome voice and atmospheric storytelling.

November 11, 2016

82. John Paul White

Formerly half of The Civil Wars, White returns to perform three songs from his solo debut, Beulah.

November 14, 2016

83. Attacca Quartet

The young quartet navigates smoke rings, alligators and the stormy fluctuations of the 18th century.

November 18, 2016

84. Tegan And Sara

The Canadian pop duo crafts acoustic versions of pop anthems like "Closer and "Boyfriend."

November 21, 2016

85. Margo Price

On the morning after Election Day, Price sang three cathartic country songs loaded with new meaning.

November 28, 2016

86. Pinegrove

Watch the New Jersey band squeeze four songs into a scrappy, warmhearted 13-minute set.

December 2, 2016

87. Ro James

The R&B singer performs three funky, sexy, stripped-down songs from his debut album, Eldorado.

December 5, 2016

88. Alsarah & The Nubatones

In the band's hands, East African music comes alive in a mix of tradition and contemporary sounds.

December 9, 2016

89. Gucci Mane

The rapper has spent the year on an extended victory tour. Here are the spoils.

December 12, 2016

90. Derek Gripper

The classically trained guitarist performs songs originally written for the kora.

December 16, 2016

91. The Oh Hellos

The nine-piece band returns to the Tiny Desk to fill the air with fake snow and real joy.

December 19, 2016