NPR Tiny Desk Concerts: Season 2
Season 2 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 1.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 2 Progress Shield
Woven Hand
Jan 7, 2009
David Eugene Edwards performs his fiery Americana and covers a rare Bob Dylan song.
Super XX Man
Jan 27, 2009
Hear the singer give an intimate acoustic performance at the desk of NPR Music's Bob Boilen.
Tom Jones
Mar 2, 2009
Hear the legendary singer perform at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Horse Feathers
May 8, 2009
See the band perform live at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Benjy Ferree
May 29, 2009
Ferree has enough charisma to draw you into his odd world. Watch him perform in the NPR offices.
Great Lake Swimmers
Jun 8, 2009
Singer Tony Dekker performs three songs at the desk of All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen.
Jason Vieaux
Jun 15, 2009
The classical guitarist plays with a clear, lyrical technique in music from the baroque and beyond.
The Avett Brothers
Jun 22, 2009
Hear the harmony-drenched roots-rock band perform a kinetic, frenetic set in the NPR Music offices.
Maria Taylor
Jun 29, 2009
Hear the singer-songwriter's tender, winsome music, performed live in the NPR Music offices.
Julie Doiron
Jul 6, 2009
After a few restarts, the singer played a bare, stark, memorable solo set in the NPR Music offices.
Bill Callahan
Jul 13, 2009
Watch the artist formerly known as Smog play a three-song set that's almost eerily transfixing.
Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy
Jul 20, 2009
Or, the day a trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba played us a soulful Rufus Wainwright cover.
Sarah Siskind
Jul 27, 2009
In this video shot at the NPR Music offices, Siskind showcases a voice that's both honeyed and raw.
The Swell Season
Aug 10, 2009
Hear Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the movie Once, playing six new songs and an encore.
Dark Meat
Aug 24, 2009
Dark Meat has as many as 20 members. We fit as many as we could behind Bob Boilen's desk.
The Tallest Man On Earth
Sep 14, 2009
The young Swedish folksinger is passionate, gruff, a great guitar picker and a damn good poet.
Telekinesis
Sep 21, 2009
Reduced to a duo for this charming session in the NPR Music offices, Telekinesis is all heart.
Raphael Saadiq
Sep 28, 2009
The Grammy-nominated R&B artist performed three acoustic interpretations of his soul-inspired tunes.
John Vanderslice
Oct 4, 2009
Vanderslice shares acoustic versions of songs from his most recent album, Romanian Names.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Oct 10, 2009
The duo's new album pays tribute to the pair's heroes, such as Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.
Ralph Stanley
Oct 19, 2009
See and hear the legendary bluegrass and old-time gospel singer give an a cappella performance.
Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros
Oct 26, 2009
At 10 members, this is the biggest band ever to play a Tiny Desk Concert in the NPR Music offices.
Sondre Lerche
Nov 2, 2009
The Norwegian-born singer-songwriter performs three liltingly sweet songs in the NPR Music offices.
K'naan
Nov 9, 2009
The rapper's set exuded shimmery grace while incorporating the sounds of soul, pop and reggae.
Bowerbirds
Nov 16, 2009
Bowerbirds' handcrafted songs creak and swell like wooden floorboards in an old house.
Zee Avi
Nov 23, 2009
Avi sings three hushed lullabies, including her signature cover of Morrissey's "First of the Gang."
Andrew W.K.
Nov 30, 2009
The fearless party-rocker stands in NPR Music's offices and performs four songs alone at the piano.
Lightning Dust
Dec 7, 2009
Lightning Dust specializes in quiet moments, whether in a shared glance or a finely knit harmony.
Fanfarlo
Dec 16, 2009
The charming London indie-folk band performs a holiday-themed set in the NPR Music offices.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Dec 21, 2009
Members of the adventurous ensemble play music by Ravel and an original piece, Egyptian-style.