Little Dragon: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Bobby Carter | June 18, 2020
I was very conflicted as I watched Little Dragon's Tiny Desk (home) concert. The group's latest album, New Me, Same Us, is their grooviest, most concentrated in years, and I was eager to hear these songs as Little Dragon's music is best experienced: live on stage. "Some of you might know that we were supposed to be on tour in the states, but due to these crazy times it got canceled," lead singer Yukimi Nagano says. On that same token, these stripped-down iterations from the band's home studio in Sweden move me but in a different way. I find myself focusing on the songwriting and how all the instruments come together for these numbers, proving just how strong the tracks from New Me... are. Then as a bonus, Little Dragon played an oldie, "Forever," which is still my favorite track from this genre-bending band. While I'm left to wish for the united movement with hundreds of others to the downbeat of songs like "Rush," this Tiny Desk performance solidifies me as a die-hard fan. I'll be first in line when the show resumes.
SET LIST
"Rush"
"Where You Belong"
"Forever"
"Every Rain"

[@contactdavidfair]

I like that she sings AND plays human skulls

[@melaniemejia7400]

😅 I know. How did they go about getting 5 different sizes?

[@yoboogieman]

hahahaha.. nice!

[@rafikiidendrophile5638]

@@melaniemejia7400 Hobbits and giants i'm guessin 😂

[@olsim1730]

@@melaniemejia7400 it's a family thang ;)

[@SY-mu4jr]

Lol but fyi those instrument are called "wooden fish"

[@louiss1625]

this band is such a cosmically perfect mix of elements: musical, conceptual, and human. depths of love and joy are here for those lucky enough to listen with a kind heart

[@banovicb]

What a beautiful comment

[@louiss1625]

@@banovicb thx :)))

[@BoodroBadaaz]

Yukimi is one of my favorite female singers on the planet

[@avalonerios]

**Heyy listen to Le départ by Emma Rousset *_

[@roenalaurice]

Just thought this as I hit this comment

[@giovannipagani5854]

true

[@IakonaWayne]

Same, her style and emotional expression and depth. This is what you get when you meet Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

[@rokrboy92]

listen Carla Morrison

[@johnnywilson9441]

i wish they would make a live album. their live renditions are always so special

[@chipesque]

Johnny Wilson true story

[@salfadel]

especially the first two songs, i can't get enough of them

[@jennie5103]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pookiewood]

Agree, I think this is the definitive version of Where you belong.

[@tylerfrank3363]

This band is helping me so much through my divorce. They are so f-ing incredible. I think I speak for most Little Dragon fans that incredible is not an exaggeration. Every single sound and vocal is perfect each. And every. Song. Bless you guys. ❤️

[@emailkenny]

Man.... Yukimi’s voice. Little Dragon... their sound. Such a hip, soulful & winning combination 🙌🏽❤️❤️🙌🏽

[@kaleahcollins4567]

Yes I love her voice she has so much soul to her I think she black somewhere 120 size she black and telling she got too much soul to be from Sweden Swedish people ain't got no soul

[@joefish6546]

Yeah, me too dude. Her voice is really great.

[@xPussNutzx]

@@kaleahcollins4567 What a ridiculous thing to say!

[@onyeokegbe1962]

@@kaleahcollins4567 anybody can have soul. It’s not exclusive to any race.

[@PentameronSV]

0:07 - *Rush* (5:43) 6:19 - *Where You Belong* (10:10) 10:43 - *Forever* (15:17) 15:51 - *Every Rain* (20:12)

[@paulg5287]

Love all the songs, if I had one critique, it would be the track order. 'Rush' was cool and funky but, maybe a bit too discordant for an opening hook. Perhaps a straight switch of 'Rush' and 'Forever'? I feel like 'Forever' is a great hook, 'Where You Belong' makes a great middle of a sandwich either way and, 'Rush' will now cleanse the pallet for another super smooth 'Every Rain'(my favorite btw). Just a thought!

[@dude4173]

@@paulg5287 Disagree as someone who's never heard of this group and just discovered them 10 mins ago. Rush pulled me in and kept me seated.. unbelievable how good these guys are. Forever is incredible too, but it wouldn't of kept me glued the way Rush did. Just a different perspective.

[@d.gerstmann4930]

Someone get this man a cape!

[@d.gerstmann4930]

@@dude4173 listen to the song "TWICE" my first love of Little Dragon. Sooooooo good!!!

[@samngubeni1263]

@@d.gerstmann4930 legit my first introduction to them.

[@Poison9Anoop]

Little Dragon. Tiny Desk. Enormous Joy.

[@spamula1]

Their drummer looks so happy to be there, and everyone is just so into the music. Earthquakes could happen and they'd still be making this music.

[@BurninBluBabe]

Loved them for years. It's about time Tiny Desk had them.

[@ThePauseMenuVlog]

They actually had a tiny desk years ago ;)

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

Pretty good but I like their Studio stuff better you should check out Sylvan essos tiny desk concert

[@austingray2644]

i love the warm smiles they give each other as they acknowledge the beautiful sounds they are creating together

[@nakanoballer]

and the emergency vehicle sirens!

[@huwguyver4208]

The whole band is amazing, but I honestly think that Yukimi is a once-in-a-generation singer. She just makes it look so easy, she really digs deep with every note but without overselling it, and her performances are full of spot-on little nuances and touches- a level of vocal control and expression that that stands out even more for being in the middle of this bland autotune-drenched pop era. She is one of those rare musicians that just elevates everything she is in- that collab they did with Gorillaz is a perfect example of that. I know they've had a decent amount of success, but they deserve way more. Little Dragon should be a household name imo.

[@MissXSive]

Yes I agree w all of this! The quality of her vocals is unreal. Such precise but seemingly effortless control

[@snickermon]

She's super special no doubt

[@Mr.otaka108]

Agree dude, amazing soul in that voice. She and the whole band is the GOAT as far as i'm concerned

[@ew8356]

100% spot on

[@alpsalish]

I disagree that she is once in a generation. I am not trying to be controversial and I think this group is truly special, but the group is a sum of it's parts. I really can't separate the members. Each one of them is absolutely lost and immersed. I think that is what I appreciate. Music is truly transcendent when you no longer notice the individual and it becomes bigger, simply about the sound.

[@jd4o35]

Uhhh can we talk about this spruced up version of "Where You Belong" ? How did they make it even better??

[@sawmebabe]

Wonderful rendition.

[@DaksiO]

How can anyone not love Little Dragon?

[@LungaNN]

This is a serious question 😂

[@alexanderford3831]

Apparently there are 82 people (at the moment) who need to answer this question...🤔

[@gregdavory]

@@alexanderford3831 Soulless creatures

[@IskaLlavore]

Alexander Ford they misclicked

[@francoisphong6024]

Because they prefer “Sista big bones”. They don’t listen to their albums. It’s difficult to shine in the Soulful Land with great talents...

[@taylorn9103]

l lost it when they started performing Forever! Major throwback

[@thhun281]

SAME ughhh 🤩

[@bernlin2000]

Such a great song to "sway" too, bass is so funky!

[@thekaochan]

This is still my favorite of theirs 💗

[@avalonerios]

**Heyy listen to Le départ by Emma Rousset *_

[@jelowi]

meeee toooo. one of my most favorite songs in the world

[@mai-sonmccurtis3955]

We gotta appreciate this group while they’re still around

[@manfredberndt4805]

"Where You Belong" is hypnotic to me. genius

[@williampegues1]

That song make me cry every time I listen to . Very powerful song.. 💯💯

[@treemarie3080]

Dang the bassist/guitarist is on POINT!! Did you see how fast he switched em up during the first song?! 👏👏👏

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Yeah, nice to see him, Fredrik, back on the bass…think he mostly played synth the last years

[@blackbeantree]

I too have been wishing for some bass in their sound. The only thing this group was missing.

[@sryamore]

I am so glad Little Dragon finally got a tiny desk session.

[@olsim1730]

This was not their first...

[@nomathembadube6597]

It was long overdue.

[@sarayontheroad]

is nobody gonna talk about how they busted out a desk? LOL

[@BillStrathearn]

It's tiny too

[@JesusHHernandez]

Hence it being an npr tiny desk...

[@bernlin2000]

It looks fairly small too...maybe even tiny in dimensions :-P

[@kpdelaney6460]

lol

[@ReinSteep]

The bass line in Where You Belong (6:19) really caught my attention. In this live performance it sounds so much better than in the recorded version. Love this.

[@luciamayer1364]

What an intiMATE performance

[@UrVieja]

Jajajajajajaja

[@vanessanost]

This is fantastic. As a musician/singer Yukimi inspires me to not feel boxed in by any genre. She's a Japanese, Swedish, soul sister that makes dope undefinable music!

[@redphoenixsoaps9501]

Yesss, she is a Queen. Vocal game on point!

[@shlerTHEnumbas]

where you belong is like my new favorite song ever.... dear god.... I cant even believe this is live. most groups wish they could record this good.

[@nicosilva8724]

I'm Argentinian, I see a "mate" over the desk I give a like.

[@AniBookx]

eso es un mateeee que bien

[@aeqc]

Yo soy chileno, pero mi cariño es el mismo jajajaj

[@546walter]

im Australian but my girlfriend is Argentinian. ive started to drink Mate a lot and noticed it straight away!

[@santiagoirazabal7554]

yo dije la china es uruguaya, y el pibito de la bata me hace unas baterías candomberas aguante los pekeños dragones

[@rodrigoaa5533]

@@santiagoirazabal7554 Claro que Yukumi Nagano es oriental

[@seffyjanze]

that drummer is really cool and super tight.

[@sebastiannai4381]

no doubt! So tasteful and tight, stellar playing

[@captainkesh]

he is freakin tight

[@joefish6546]

Yeah, I've listened a few times and really just noticed HOW good he is. He's playing some complicated stuff, and singing really great backing. Great natural feel.

[@theyouth7690]

Thank you for making me notice him. So tight.

[@ClareceLeona]

Aren’t you the drummer?!

[@Milesjoshua25]

MAAAAAATE. I needed this today 🙏🏾

[@treemarie3080]

Same 🙏🎉

[@PoliPiazza]

La felicidad de verlo ahi esperando. Happiness of seeing it there waiting

[@beatcoin2277]

Que pinto? Ese mate ahí rica vamo los hermanos rioplatenses

[@homeroprodan]

Igual creo que no se refería al mate jajajaja

[@santiagoirazabal7554]

pusieron el mate pa mostrarlo, donde está el termo?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

YES I got chills during "Forever." One of my favorite songs of theirs... UGH YES

[@jelowi]

me too, homie. me toooooooooo

[@tiisetsotsukudu5121]

"Cause I wanna call it forever, call this thing forever forever." 🥺😭❤🔥

[@Raupekaa]

YES LITTLE DRAGON I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

[@shleepingpowder2715]

@Mike w I'm here bc of gorillaz too

[@floriankberger]

Little Dragon have musically defined this period of quarantine, grief and trauma for me. An extraordinary depth of human intuition in their sounds. This cover of Where You Belong is my favorite I’ve heard. Thank you for continuing to gift us 🙏🏽

[@quetshupfa]

really???? trauma!??!?!?!?!? c'mon boy!!! I was in the trenches 100 years ago !!! ur such a wuz!

[@taylorisaac891]

Where You Belong is my comfort song, I lost my little brother this June to cancer, this song reminds me he is still here in my heart.

[@codishaa]

THIS GROUP RIGHT HERE 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 they really put their all into to their sound and I appreciate that. Her voice is perfect.

[@jmurr1924]

Saw these folks in concert last night. They are FIRE live

[@joohop]

Earthlings Are Capable Of Such Beauty , WHY Fight Against Each Other When You Could Be So Far Advanced ? Bless Up Little Dragon + NPR Peace

[@amandabrewer9780]

Nicely Put!

[@campau4663]

She makes me cry, wishing it will never stop. Beautiful!!!!!!!

[@mcmaddox]

Almost a year old and just as good as the first time. The only thing better than Yumi's voice is hearing her voice in person.

[@wonderfulpets3828]

I woke up in the middle of the night and somehow stumbled upon this group for the first time. They are amazing! I am a singer, and I wish I could be in a group like this one. Now I have to listen to their whole catalogue.

[@guillermo-ox5jd]

loving the mate on the desk

[@jjanjell]

Where You Belong was phenomenal!

[@williampegues1]

I cry every time I hear this one . I love little dragon.. Memphis TN...

[@temifasedemi2055]

One of my favourite bands for well over a decade now... Yukimi ha ne of the most special voices in music. What I would do to meet tis lot would make my life complete

[@blainedubosejr]

I love how the drummer is constantly smiling at his band mates. Pure bliss he is feeling

[@megane5728]

I appreciate they brought a tiny desk into the shot 🥺🥺🥺

[@gabomora2927]

They're criminally underrated.

[@dewimatthews]

Are you sure? So underrated that Damon Albarn chose them to collaborate with Gorillaz.

[@hypocriteorchestra]

Awesome. Little Dragon are back to their groove based tunes. Master musicians with flawless vocals, beautiful Bass tone, Synth sounds, and Drums tuned perfectly. Thank you Tiny Desk.

[@amandabrewer9780]

Nice!

[@aldoalejandroriveracastrui8449]

I love how she puts so much emotion into her voice.

[@williamaltizer8237]

Best tiny desk concert ever!! And performed at their home sounds better than the NPR studio. And Yukimi not only has the most fantastic voice, her lyrics are some of the best in pop music.

[@aliandwele1673]

Words can’t express how happy Little Dragon makes me, how special, near and dear they’re to me. Thank you Tiny Desk and Little Dragon for this beautiful performance 🐉💜

[@nickelacqua9958]

I'll always remember the first time I heard Yukimi Nagano's voice was when she guest starred on Plastic Beach for Empire Ants and To Binge. I have Nabuma Rubberband and Machine and I adore those albums and i need more.

[@vickysimpson3750]

I can't watch this enough!!!!

[@j-dovemuskelly2455]

Everytime feels as good as the 1st time... ...how? Love them

[@yanimadeit]

Feels like a meditation every time. Thank you Little 🐉

[@desmondpowell3205]

Man, Yukimi’s voice is soo soulfull, just beautiful!!!!!

[@sbo212]

This performance is a masterpiece. Perfect on every level.

[@NewsYouCanUse3]

Little dragon is *powerful.*

[@nthabisengjazzbhebe34]

😪😭✋🏾✋🏾 Why did this notification make me so happy?

[@andilegeya5870]

its that Little Dragon Fire

[@laticiadianecarter5403]

Her voice just gets me. THANK YOU!

[@nativeofnothing]

Stopped listening a while ago because the music reminded me of a place I did not want to be. But now I'm glad I came back :)

[@sarah_hina]

My #1 fave band, Yukimi is so talented and is such a delight to watch!

[@dukeneukem4747]

I listen to Constant Surprises by little dragon EVERYDAY. And i am pleasantly surprised by this performance. Thank you tiny desk

[@williamcrawford1040]

Yo me too

[@thhun281]

Hey...some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate ✨

[@PoppinHoops]

It's my favourite song out of all their tunes !

[@T8minifreak]

last night in my dream i was talking to you

[@robbiebassen8685]

First song I heard from them 💕

[@DamonMRhodes]

I LOVE this band! They calm my spirit and keep me centered. Also, Yukimi has so much vocal control! Her voice is like velvet! “New Me, Same Us” is a fave! In constant rotation! 🧡

[@sawmebabe]

I wish I was your neighbor. 6:19 Where you Belong. What a beautiful version. Thanks for this. One day I will watch you guys live.

[@nyraisedmii]

The best part of waking up today during these crazy times is to find Little Dragon at the top of my notifications. Loved them from day one. Thank You for bringing a little joy to the world. 🌍

[@brettpiggott2664]

Same here. Don’t know why 85 people dislike this.

[@dondi2129]

Same fam... their music makes me feel 20 again.. so refreshing

[@bathinisigaqa6736]

I feel the same.

[@blessingsuponblessings7378]

Forever is still my joint!!! I love me some Little Dragon!!!

[@electiclovex3]

My favorite band!! Yes!!!

[@kayodeokuneye2189]

Am I the only one that cheers after every song 👏🏾

[@jonnypickett2546]

Enjoyed that, thank you.. That bass sounded amazing in my headphones, but I couldn't hear the butternut squashes (or whatever they are) being hit. Love the addition of a tiny desk and that ambulance going by made me smile too..

[@dude4173]

Agreed! I couldn’t hear those either

[@shanevan1]

I love how they placed an actual tiny desk in front of them...😂 I don't understand how Little dragon has not been my thing, but somehow I keep being pulled in and being excited to hear what they got to give me and being positively suprised. Maybe it's the subtle trippy neosoul undertone, or her Erykah-like voice, or just the refreshing lack of a generic sound. Often childishly simple music, like they didn't really craft it, but just did some stuff and stuck with it. But somehow super inviting and engaging. To quote Neo.. I hate that I love em so...i guess. 😅

[@luanmo865]

This was a neat description of what I've felt! thanks for verbalizing it!

[@FindYourFree]

nice description..love em

[@wallacehardiniii9038]

New Dragon fan! You got to check out Dj Shadow and Little Dragon song.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

the placing of the desk feels like a very Gothenburg-thing to do (to me as a swede)

[@edley47]

PJ I loved it and was scrolling to make sure I was not gonna duplicate any comments when I found this conversation string. My late wife was very droll and whimsical - she would have loved it! Happened to be J/A, but maybe she had a Swedish soul? 💖

[@michellehean7913]

When we're in a less crazy world, please come back to South Africa 🧡.

[@nahm8223]

This whole concert tickled my brain in the best way possible. Every once in a while I realise how wonderful and profound music is, purely for the sake of beautiful sounds and atmosphere ♥️

[@willmofo1]

I should be sleeping but had to watch this first.

[@austin_jose]

At the moment of this comment, there are more keyboards on screen than minutes passed since this uploaded.

[@thomasipad7719]

Keyboards on screen?!?😳

[@wiredbassclarinet]

But what is Håkan playing? He is amazing

[@wiredbassclarinet]

It looks like a Prophet X (after some research and help!)

[@brucepattie7565]

9 is a lot?

[@antoniog2854]

@@wiredbassclarinet I was thinking the same thing! : )

[@foxyylady]

Erik’s harmonizations w/ Yukimi >>>

[@septemberjanuary4636]

OK..

[@lionellandrews9606]

Right!!!!!

[@Ahealinggirl]

This group is just sickkkkkk and talented . I love them so much

[@hori_ink82]

Man it’s been a year already wow and I’m still in love with this concert ❤️🐉❤️

[@Theoutcomer10]

Why doesn't this have more views????? Little Dragon , love them!

[@HaloGirlMV]

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH

[@brianmolele7264]

Rush has that Afro Beat vibe...love it!

[@majesticgirlgames]

I love them BAD!! I remember when I discovered their music. It was a random Sunday in 2015, I was laying in bed listening to a shuffle playlist on Spotify, then on came Shuffle A Dream. The rest was history. I’ve been blessed to see them live twice!!

[@jpoodle]

Same! Except it was I believe 2016 and been loving them live and listening to all their albums too. Which reminds me I need one of their new shirts. Also they have a new tiny desk concert coming out very soon fyi!

[@huwguyver4208]

My introduction to them was the video for Klapp Klapp- it sent me all the way down the Little Dragon rabbithole and I'm still there to this day. But so many of their tracks could have done it. LD are the real deal.

[@jpoodle]

It’s out!

[@tarastover7880]

iiiiittttsss about to goooood dooowwwn... omg let's GET IT 😍😭

[@erinknightingale251]

love the way the drummer in the back is vibing

[@hollygardner3417]

I love FOREVER and I love Little Dragon FOREVER!!!!!

[@juansoulo47]

How can someone not love Little Dragon?

[@drewcobarrubias2093]

Finally! Little Dragon x Tiny Desk

[@wolfmankilla89]

The drummers smile, when the singer hits the high notes in the first song... too good!!!

[@peachescobbler3042]

Ey, this live version of *Where You Belong* slaps hard 💜

[@shadygroves8252]

straight up dancing in my living room all 4 of them are so multi-talented love this band so much, very grateful for these sessions one of the best bands on the planet today?

[@fallingmanjutsu]

I thought she was playing a row of rotisserie chickens.

[@bjjeffries8172]

I just look at them again after reading this...😂😂😂

[@seansmith6712]

Can't unsee them as chickens now

[@ThwartMorten]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[@postive-vibes]

coconuts

[@egormojo]

I have those same woodblocks in white. They are OLD!! And yes they do look like chickens from this angle...lol

[@alexwadair]

Little Dragon! What a fantastic sound!

[@enterthefarside]

I ADORE Little Dragon. So fun and experimental. Perfect for the Tiny Desk.

[@MissRandomComment]

I discovered them yesterday and I'm pleasantly surprised to find this.. Her voice with this type of music is truly a match made in heaven

[@IvanCoronel5]

i love LD since 2007♥

[@ant-space]

Only discovered little Dragon a year ago or so. I was sooo looking forward to their tour this year, and seeing them live for the first time.

[@xDTHECHEMISTx]

I love them. Always eargasm quality music live or IN studio

[@ktrazz]

OMG, they played Forever!!!!

[@DanielDez]

Wow.... this band.... every time I hear something new from Little Dragon I just want to weep it is SO GOOD! I hope to see you guys live one day!

[@Realitybit]

My same reaction they do something to me i cant explain

[@miaa5959]

Honestly Little Dragon is the band of my soul. They make music that speaks to every cell in my body! I know the world is in upheaval and there are bigger problems but I truly was devastated to not be able to go to their concert. 2015 feels like a lifetime ago but I cherish getting to see them live at least once. I scream-sang Forever 💕 Forever making this little black girl happy

[@mikerude5386]

Her voice is so perfect. I love hearing her sing. My favorite song by her is where you belong. Man that makes me think of this girl Rose. Everytime I close my eyes I swear I still hear and feel her.

[@robertsanchezofficial]

I am crying, this was beautiful ❤️

[@surge128]

GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME. 📠

[@cap1900]

Glad to see Little Dragon doing well.