MARO: Tiny Desk Concert

Anamaria Sayre | July 13, 2023
As captivating as birds who sing in sync, MARO's guitar trio brought an almost imperceptible, natural beauty to her Tiny Desk, characteristic of an artist truly in her element.
It makes sense that the Portuguese guitarist and singer-songwriter would feel at home in this space given her previous visit to the Desk as a featured player and vocalist in Jacob Collier's Tiny Desk concert. Beyond that, the artist came ready-made for the platform, prepared to lay bare a transfixing expression of bilingual heartbreak, strung together by the seamless narration of three acoustic guitars.
Opening with "há-de sarar," the singer invited the listener to participate in her journey of heartbreak with sing-songy guitar harmonies and gently ebbing Portuguese vocals. Transitioning to "just wanna forget you," MARO reminded the audience of the raw emotionality of her lyricism, trading languages to emphasize the melancholic guitar rhythms, weaving a tale she suggested most can relate to. Finishing with "can you see me?" and "I SEE IT COMING," she encouraged everyone to join in singing, inserting whatever lyrics or sounds they felt compelled to add.
At every stage of her performance, she reminded the listener that regardless of language, culture or place, within a few weeping guitars and mesmerizing vocals lies some deeply and universally felt truths.
SET LIST
"há-de sarar"
"just wanna forget you"
"can you see me?"
"I SEE IT COMING"
MUSICIANS
MARO: vocals, guitar
Darío Barroso: guitar
Pau Figueres: guitar
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #maro

[@nprmusic]

Hey Tiny Desk Fans, Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths

[@matthewriechers5281]

the beauty here is in no sense "almost imperceptible!"

[@maro.musica]

NPR! ❤️ THANK YOUUU for having us, it’s truly an honor to be a part of such a special project :)

[@beatrizmacedo6649]

marooo, você é surreal! ❤

[@Etienne_a-sign]

What else can be better as a greatfull person WHO let hearts fly ?

[@laserbeamlightning]

Never heard of you before but you were phenomenal in this!

[@JochenVogel]

Dario has no right to complain about the tuning. It was Igor Stravinsky who said about harpists: "They spend half of their time tuning and the other half playing out of tune." That's where I live. Jokes aside, this was a wonderful performance. You made my day.

[@alexandersh895]

absolutely great. Hope to catch you guys on tour in Mtl someday

[@mattstalker4084]

So rare to hear three guitars being blended and played so accurately and dynamically that they don’t get in one another’s way but rather sound like a single instrument. Magical.

[@marcoocram6389]

Very usual between the best guitar players in Portugal and Spain.

[@tylerpferrari]

Very well said. The driving and grounding force from the guitar rhythm is coupled with such beautiful harmony. Truly something special.. especially starting at 10:12. Gorgeous song...wow

[@ppaccola]

You should hear the entire record. This is present in every song.

[@jamesgfg6043]

@@ppaccola what is the name of the record?

[@davidbeatsgoliath]

Totally! x

[@ruijorgemendes7597]

So proud to see a Portuguese singer on the Tiny Desk 🙂 Parabéns Maro!

[@luispinheirodosmontes7219]

Sem dúvida! O Camané já lá esteve mas de resto não me lembro de mais ninguém.

[@alrsf08]

​@@luispinheirodosmontes7219seu jorge tambem

[@alrsf08]

​@@luispinheirodosmontes7219 liniker tbm

[@yeoldemusik1]

@@luispinheirodosmontes7219 Before her it was just Camané

[@johnscottieferguson9964]

Pensei que era o português oficial do Brasil

[@Ben__David]

I don't often comment on videos. But these were honestly among the most beautiful sounds my ears heard my entire life.

[@arjayjones8567]

Same.

[@margaridadias3666]

when you can you should totally go to her concert. it is magical

[@Xhaser.iberia]

the guitars and her voice just blend so beautifully

[@mycarrysun]

Her voice is literally magical - unbelievable how good it is

[@bapbirb]

Its almost like she's breathing life into my ears. Such a gentle and strong voice.

[@kaan_bey]

This is by far one of the cleanest and most refined NPR performances ever. The songwriting is excellent, so is the performance and I've literally lost track of time.

[@arco718]

I think she was also in the Jacob Collier tiny desk concert which was just mint

[@mig.vidales]

Lack of democracy in Venezuela made me download a VPN. 11 months later I'm finally watching this. MARO, amo você ❤

[@elliemani]

maro is criminally underrated. truly an artist

[@_home_3539]

0:18 "Há-de sarar" 4:28 "Just wanna forget you" 10:18 "Can you see me?" 15:17 "I see it coming"

[@beatrizm9451]

Bless your heart

[@prodbyjaswant551]

13:52

[@rodriguezcomz3055]

Up

[@pieralobo]

Thank you!

[@soniapeixoto8204]

❤B.u.t.ful

[@7orKevin]

Shamefully admitting this is my first time hearing MARO and I am absolutely blown away by this beautiful sound.

[@AbdallahAberouchA]

Me too! What a great discovery this is!

[@zuliswashere]

same!

[@Fredrikstbye]

Same here, can´t belive I missed this.

[@SolarMumuns]

She's been doing some great live work with Jacob Collier the last few years

[@clydekaila123]

Same. Soo happy I’ve found her too.

[@dwithathi3596]

There's something about Maro's voice that just makes me want to leave everything behind and go on an endless road trip. Also, what a beautiful mix with the guitars sounding phenomenal!

[@meiyorgold3774]

Funny how I'm currently on a road trip and I literally just discovered her

[@cafecomlantejoula9474]

Também sinto isso ❤

[@thomasdaluz1397]

MARO is an incredible artist. Everything she has done is a chef’s kiss. More people need to get to know her. The voice of a Portuguese Tracy Chapman. The songwriting of a Portuguese Joni Mitchell. The sound of a Portuguese Nick Drake.

[@stephanusmarkovich]

Where is she from again ?

[@ammltr97]

@@stephanusmarkovich not clear ahah

[@ethanking599]

I can see Tracy Chapman , not quite the other two...

[@krismcreynolds984]

Getting that nick Drake thing.. good stuff!

[@freakskrew3851]

@@stephanusmarkovich Portugal Caralho!!!!

[@soysorray]

Jacob Collier's NPR Tiny Desk had me listen to MARO for the first time. Followed her ever since, and I'm so happy she finally got her own Tiny desk concert!

[@sues718]

😗❤beautiful xx

[@TaniaC0009]

Same here! Glad she's getting so much recognition :)

[@jcc9960]

Me too

[@joaorovira]

Same. With the bonus that I realized that she's from my country too ahah

[@Chyjam]

as well as I did! Luv her

[@oxyjinn415]

The three guitars together are like a cascade of maple syrup to my ears. With the unbelievable softness of Maro's voice it made me go through heaven for a little while. Thank you ♥️♥️

[@karlwalsh3604]

Anyone else obsessed

[@peterchlechowitz3786]

Shared by whom ever, this is high art. Never heard and listened. Watch the fingers on three guitars and hear. By this the voice of MARO and you get complete. Belive me I have heard and seen some gigs in my life. About life gigs in acoustics this one is a star for this session. Nearly impossible to repeat but I know only by themselves. Life moment 🎉❤

[@shavedraven]

Maro finally getting the recognition she deserves

[@cjleeth]

This is the best tiny desk concert ever.

[@kollidontagasi]

Huge fan since the Eurovision, on of the best things ever to be at Eurovision, of course it didn't win, great music rarely does. So happy about this NPR Tiny Desk Concert!

[@nidaladil4150]

"Just wanna forget you" is the most beautiful song in the history of song writing ❤

[@fabiankelso]

Carefully crafted. Beautiful.

[@fatboytony7651]

I've been following Maro since her Berklee College days. She has been amazing for a very long time... I'm Glad the world is finally getting to witness her greatness.

[@BluesGetOrigin]

Her cover of Third Story’s “Searching for a Feeling” with those 2 other uni students is amazing! I used to listen to that so much

[@egacakir]

This is something different. I actually entered to check the sound and exit, but I watched the video from beginning to end in one shot. I haven't heard anything this harmonious, natural and peaceful in a long time. It's the first time I've been so uncomfortable with the ads that come in between, this video made me feel the need to buy KZbin premium :))

[@Selbcoast]

MARO's performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 made me a die-hard fan of hers. She's one of the most talented musicians out there and I'm glad she's finally getting the recognition she deserves :)

[@marianagomes5549]

Plllo oh😊😊😊😊

[@mayerlinviagrarodriguez4539]

Obsesionada con ella desde hace algunos días que la descubrí. ❤

[@tiagosantos1978]

este álbum faz me chorar tantas vezes ..não é choro de tristeza nem alegria ,é simplesmente de estar a ouvir algo tão belo que apenas me cai lágrimas .... obrigado maro 👍🏻

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Just tree acoustic guitars and a voice, and I already love it. This airy feeling like sitting in the shadow, still with enough warmth from these wonderful musicians. Portugal is more than fado.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Sorry, three guitars, not tree.....:-)

[@poopgun]

11:55 bro seriously tuned his guitar for a split sec. this is the best tiny desk concert

[@madslumholt9235]

I have lost my musical heart to Maro. Touches me deeply every time

[@kayavandenbosch3394]

MARO has been the act that has taught me that you don't have to understand the words in order to understand the music. hortelã has become one of my favorite albums of all time and every time it succeeds to grab me with both arms and warm me up by their undeniable talent, lyricism and tone. Thank you for your music and for teaching me what music is really about.

[@francisfree2010]

🎉🎉❤

[@SoadandSkinslover88]

Nem acredito que foi preciso a Billie eilish partilhar um story disto para eu vir ouvir. Rendi-me e chorei até, muitas muitas emoções. Parabéns!!

[@raulbenevides]

E a Maro fez diversos shows no Brasil no início do ano. Fez shows em São Paulo, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro etc. E neste mês de dezembro fez shows exclusivos em São Paulo. Ela é muito amiga do Pedro Altério. Um grande músico que faz parte da maravilhosa banda Cinco a Seco, se não conhece esta banda, recomendo escutar a música: "Pra você dar o nome". E ela lançou uma canção dela junto com o duo ANAVITÓRIA no canal do Vevo. Ficou muito boa a junção das três cantando.

[@evrenpektas4930]

I DID THE EXACT SAME THING OMGG

[@nketachristine1234]

I'm new here. But gosh is she just astonishing. Beauty on my eardrums. I don't think I have heard anything so beautiful in my life 😮❤️ I am obsessed!

[@miorarabearisoa4923]

Going back here everytime as if it was a comfort place or something like that ❤‍🩹

[@DudaLopes]

I was lucky to see her in São Paulo and now I’m lucky to can hear her songs walking down the streets in Lisbon. Thank you so much for you music. Our language is beautiful and I’m very proud to see lyrics in Portuguese connecting people.

[@vic_cresss]

“Just wanna forget you” sounds so beautiful in this performance 🥺 in love

[@fabiankelso]

In complete agreement. Beautiful.

[@Baz0ball]

I knew her from a song with Jacob Collier, but her own material is fantastic, wow!

[@AugustoValentini]

Yes! I also discovered her because of that song and then started listening to her own albums... Such a beautiful voice!

[@kevinverghese7672]

Gosh I’m back after a year and it hits the same, so so beautiful🥹❤

[@michaelbright1373]

I almost cried. Thank God for such amazing talent. Such work of art❤❤

[@sarahchocolat]

This makes me feel so emotional ! Beautiful trio. I can't stop listening to Maro !!!

[@goncalomusic1296]

The sound engineer obviously had some fun, cause this sounds amazing!

[@nami7810]

Some of the best arrangements out there.

[@joshdodes1740]

Stunningly beautiful. One of the best Tiny Desks I've ever seen.

[@franklinjerome6609]

maro music makes me wanna cry man i am not even going to lie. i just love her so much her sound is just so captivating . even when she doesnt speak english , you could feel it still

[@SidSeth]

probably the most beautiful tiny desk I’ve watched 🫶🏼

[@resinfinita]

sou brasileiro, e é maravilhoso ver nossos irmãos lusófonos representando a arte de maneira tão profunda! Viva a música🎉

[@ValerieHartwich]

I cannot wait to see you in Berlin in September. Your music touches me so much. Com gratidao do fundo da alma

[@LaDameDeShalott]

Following since Eurovision, but Tiny Desk's is a much more deserved stage for your music!

[@doodingle3728]

If I am ever having a particularly emotional day, I come back to this video. The tone of her voice, the playfulness in the playing from all 3 of them, and the overall energy they perform with is so calming. Thank you for this you beautiful humans!

[@CaravelClerihew]

Maro's Nao Faz Sentido is easily my post listened to song of last year.

[@lokijuhert]

I'm hooked

[@paulie4450]

Have been into Maro since her Saudade stuff, and in the process have discovered how rich Portuguese music is. Im a sucker for Arabic/Islamic-influenced music since the scales, harmony & nuances are very distinct, so her material was a breath of fresh air. Very rustic yet unconventional which is always refreshing.

[@vp3664]

Try listening to António Zambujo.

[@paulie4450]

@@vp3664 will check it out, thanks

[@tii04]

Try listening to Tamino. I've been looking for something similar since discovering him. This lady kinda fits!

[@lopazio]

This is not arabic/islamic it's "iberian" influenced (Portugal and Spain) an influence by its own right, it's a blend of Arab + African + European Mediterranean

[@alvaropizarro459]

Beautiful guitar harmony and a great singer

[@deefred-perthartist]

First time hearing these artists. GOOSEBUMPS BRILLIANT 👌🎧🤜🤛

[@MarcoTheMediterranean]

“Can you see me?” gets me every single time. Such a beautiful song with heartfelt lyrics.

[@paticristini]

Vim pelos stories da billie e me apaixonei pela voz dessa mulher e os arranjos musicais impecáveis! incrível como transbordam arte! ❤🇧🇷

[@Thumang.]

I didn't know I needed a guitar trio. This is magical 😊

[@francisfree2010]

Yesssssssss!!😊

[@CgustavoJetlag]

I saw Maro playing in Rio, at the Copacabana Theatre, and it was a true blessing. What an artist. Had tears of joy during the concert with such a talented artist with truly emotional lyrics, both in English and Portuguese. Incrível e emocionante!

[@khanyisasnow8416]

Such an honor to exist in Maro's era! Truly a blessing ❤️

[@LoftyAssertions]

The guitar performance throughout this is extraordinary, so tastefully played

[@danielgonzalezsanchez127]

Coming back here continually waiting for "MARO: Tiny Desk Concert" to reach 1M views to have it on Spotify 🙈🎶

[@carolinewinchester2437]

🎉

[@danielgonzalezsanchez127]

@maro.musica 🙌🎉

[@danielgonzalezsanchez127]

🎉🎉🎉

[@hansfucker6298]

Saw her last week with Jacob Collier in Lisbon. It was really a incredible moment. The future is hers.

[@v.w.2701Timber]

Hey Maro, Dario & Pau, wow you are all fantastic musicians and you play your guitars absolutely perfectly!!! 🔥Added to this is this soulful voice terrific !!! Greetings from Frankfurt Volker

[@Mizuwav]

This has to be one of the best Ive ever heard

[@notaensilencio]

Maro is such an enormous artist. She should be more famous, I think. Her music goes directly to your soul. Maro if you ever see this, your music is saving me right now!

[@Rehlotse]

This is beautiful. Shout out Portugal 🇵🇹 for this beautiful music. Hope to see them in South Africa 🇿🇦 someday soon.

[@Etienne_a-sign]

MARO is distinctive and unique. Any comparison with others in music is limping. You don't compare the Beatles or Elton John to other artists either. MARO is a small miracle from which the music lives. One of the most beautiful wonders of this world named MARO. 😊✌️

[@mdalishawon]

I love this band so much I need to learn Portuguese

[@ruigoncalves2340]

NPR Tiny Desk is for me one of the most relevant ways to discover or rediscover music today. I don’t know anything about sound but the sheer genius and brilliance of NPR sound producers is out of this world. You transcend technique and just create beauty. You are archiving human culture for future generations. Just poetry! You should print this sound in stone. 😊

[@S0PHiE8S0PHiE]

Here a year later, still faint and wondering the same 10:01

[@elmargmusic]

A unique talented artist full of spirit and love for music👏👏

[@raulbenevides]

Dia 25 de outubro verei este trio ao vivo em Brasília. Mal posso esperar e já estou aqui contando os dias. Tenho certeza que será um grande show. Maro é maravilhosa. Quem ai vai nos shows dela em 2024 aqui no Brasil?

[@rafaelodon]

Já comprei o meu ingresso também, para Belo Horizonte em outubro.

[@afonsofitas6319]

Maro is mesmerizing, no doubt about that! But these two bring guitar playing to another level. What an outstanding performance!

[@gsacco15]

This is the best tiny desk; so Incredible really stunning performance.

[@diogoprmendes]

WOW!! A Portuguese artist in NPR!! I´ve been following NPR for a while... and was wondering when a Portuguese singer could be there! Congratulations!

[@danielvmelim.studio]

O Camané já cantou no Tiny Desk

[@joaocalaim]

@@danielvmelim.studio e a Nenny tb, apesar de ter sido home concert

[@lisandramoreira7568]

E agora também a Marta Pereira da Costa :)

[@andrepereira5126]

O orgulho português de começares o clip da NPR na nossa língua. Tão bom @MAROMARO❤

[@theFatTubist]

Dang. One of those Tiny Desks where you hear something you didn't know you needed to

[@ludophono]

Such a gorgeous sound. I love this.

[@universal_kind]

Parabéns, Maro's guitar trio! Absolute pleasure. Thanks for coming back! ❤

[@clarasantos3920]

just wanna forget you has my heart

[@michelepiva2298]

one of the best tiny desk concert ever

[@idiesmusic5349]

This is amazing. Thank you for the vibez 🌇

[@Chyjam]

I love Maro. But also huge thumbs up for those two guitarists!

[@francisfree2010]

😊💙

[@Solastar]

OO what a beautiful voice, its been a while since a voice has entranced me like this. Her voice also reminds me of the voice of Clarissa Pinkola Estes such rich voices a big husky

[@pedrodepinto]

Actually, the privilege is ours... And I must confess I feel sorry for having only discovered MARO in March 2022, by the time she won Festival da Canção. Congratulations on this amazing concert 😊!

[@jamesoscar7246]

the same thing happens in our countries, bad music, bad actors, bad presenters, bad politicians always appear first and are always given more visibility....

[@nickelvd9220]

There is much to be learned by just watching the incredible communication (communion) between these musicians.

[@sarahchocolat]

I'm definitely hypnotized by this incredible woman...

[@jamilapalmer3451]

I’m here a year later for can you see you! It dose something to my soul ❤

[@BADelisle]

MARO is a gift from the universe! She deserves everything|, she is special!

[@mariaribeiro9446]

in these moments im so proud of being portuguese .. poetry

[@Fujjums]

I first heard of MARO as a contestant at last years Eurovision, and immediately fell in love with her voice. Such an exciting and unexpected treat from the tiny desk!

[@JasonLockwood87]

Saw her singing with Jacob Collier in his tiny desk. She’s class ❤

[@spieroj]

Those are amazing musicians! All three of them are just amazing.

[@rd4660]

Pure, pleasant, enjoyable, no violent lyrics. This is music.

[@Sasa-ec1vz]

This is Amazing music Guys... Beautiful ♥️🥃🎸 bih hello from belgrade, Serbia ♥️

[@shnaa_L]

I've been following MARO since seeing her at Eurovision 2022. This is great!

[@sourlemonava2003]

The voice of an angel 😇 and she’s Portuguese!❤

[@bencisco]

there is no other voice on this planet which calms me down like yours Maro, thank you so much for making music (:

[@antoniomoura4751]

Maro, é um genuíno privilégio ouvir as tuas composições. A tua autenticidade é algo fresco e renovador no mundo da música. Para mim que considero a música a maior criação do Universo, ouvir-te é como uma dádiva. Obrigado

[@yellowclouds3722]

From the 1st to the last note pure brilliance. Love it. MARO once covered together with Jacob Collier Fleet Foxes' "Meadowlark" - so so so great artist.

[@RafaelSoarespt]

Maro, the beauty of your soul is being manifested in music. I think you should know... :)

[@amdar1397]

As a Portuguese person, I can only say that I've seen her live and she's absolutely amazing (and the best artist from Portugal imo)