Soul Glo: Tiny Desk Concert

Lars Gotrich | March 29, 2024
We have hosted rap legends, Broadway musicals, pop stars, world-renowned classical musicians, indie rockers and folkies - there's a universe of music at the Tiny Desk that keeps expanding. But we have never featured a hardcore punk band at the NPR Music office ... until Soul Glo.
Hardcore and punk are vital not only in how I understand the world but also challenge myself; it's music that feels first, then screams. Soul Glo crystalizes its anger and anxiety - about trauma, anti-Blackness, mortality, survival - with a pummeling prism of classic hardcore speed, psychedelic noise, sludgy riffs and a spitfire vocalist with exasperated-but-exhilarating run-ons, who finds moments to step back and bounce like an emcee would.
But punk can also be unpredictable because, at its heart, punk does not want to be contained. Soul Glo's set features tracks from 2022's still thrilling Diaspora Problems, plus a loosie from last year. Halfway through "Driponomics," Pierce Jordan gets on the Desk, but dips in and out of the microphone's range to commune with the throng of punks gathered. The same happens with the band's outrageously chaotic and catchy closer "Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?)," but what the mics don't capture in Jordan's verse, the crowd more than ably makes up for in the gang vocals that feverishly scream back the hook. (Yes, that is me stepping into the frame to get a mic back in Jordan's general vicinity.) Oh, and in a Tiny Desk of several firsts, a mosh pit broke out in the office; I'm still smiling about it.
SET LIST
"Jump!! (Or Get Jumped!!!)((by the future))"'
"If I Speak (Shut The F*** Up)"
"Driponomics"
"Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?)"
MUSICIANS
Pierce Jordan: vocals, bass
GG Guerra: guitar, vocals
Allen Nunez: bass, guitar
TJ Stevenson: drums
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Lars Gotrich
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Zayrha Rodriguez
Audio Engineer: Kwesi Lee
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #soulglo

[@cob4lt2]

This is hilarious how they are constantly holding themselves back from just absolutely DESTROYING the room.

[@xoahkxodu]

Slammed dance forever!

[@RobertSlover]

the sound guy must have had an anxiety attack when that expensive mic gets treated like an old dented sm58!

[@rsplatpc]

"URGE TO JUMP OFF DESK RISING........RISING....."

[@jessealmonds]

I mean its quite literally where people work so ya know they probably didn’t want to destroy it to much

[@Jesse_IDG]

i wish they did, only decent content they'd have made that day. this is terrible hardcore

[@meta1ke]

Whoever decided to choose Soul glo needs a raise

[@xoahkxodu]

Ta DAY!

[@RobertSlover]

the sound guy must have had an anxiety attack when that expensive mic gets treated like an old dented sm58!

[@debo901]

Fired*

[@serious_about_men]

@@RobertSloveri don’t think i could do scream vox without touching the mic. it’s pretty impressive on their part.

[@RobertSlover]

@@serious_about_men scream vox? learning how to actually sing would be a better use of your time and energy!

[@gregm7627]

Good to see that punk is not dead !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@TrickleMeThat19]

my dude, hardcore is more alive than it ever has been, and rightfully so.

[@j4kez]

MORE HARDCORE ON TINY DESK PLEASE

[@mackalrath]

ABSOLUTELY

[@bitriplex]

WHERE DO I SIGN?

[@rebelwithatwist13]

jesus piece or spite would be sick

[@erikpaz805]

Please bring Zulu or sanction

[@taylorlou]

@@erikpaz805SECONDING ZULU i need that

[@mackalrath]

this is AMAZING!! Never thought I'd see a hardcore band on Tiny Desk. PLEASE, more of this!! there are so many creative, innovative, *important* bands in the world of heavy music right now. So many voices that should be heard :)

[@Glitterkid]

Did u see Turnstile Tiny Desk?

[@mackalrath]

@@Glitterkid yesss!! loved that, and loved how they changed the arrangements to fit the vibe of tiny desk. i wish tiny desk sessions were available on spotify :')

[@davidsalazar4444]

Congrats to Lars who has probably been pushing for something like this for a decade.

[@jameswatts2310]

It’s one of the best punk bands out!! Their album Diaspora Problems will go down as one of the best of the decade for me.

[@Turtl289]

Agree 100%

[@blindonabudget6953]

morgana the punk head?

[@PaintedSockets]

Cant wait for the Chat Pile one

[@TrickleMeThat19]

MY BLOOD IS DIRTY GARBAGE WATER

[@crieseasily]

Why do people have to live outside?

[@slykc.]

@@crieseasily Hammers and grease!

[@diemdia]

Do you think?? 👀👀

[@PaintedSockets]

@@TrickleMeThat19 bruh they better send my body to arby's after that

[@juneaino5805]

big win for punk and hardcore

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

I would've LOVED this group if I was 30 years younger. My nerves can't take it now but glad to know there are still groups out there raging against the darkness and riling people up.

[@JPhineasBG-rz3ok]

SOUL GLO ON NPR ‼️🔥‼️🔥‼️🔥🔥‼️🔥‼️🔥‼️🔥‼️ ZULU NEXT ‼️ ZULU NEXT ‼️

[@sallysson]

Tiny Desk is going hard this morning; never letting us down.

[@SquareTimes]

Love that the drummer playing with Hot Rods is the only thing that qualifies this as a Tiny Desk.

[@gab_a_gool]

Glad to see some hardcore on Tiny Desk. People will not like this lol.

[@againstthegraingolf301]

Never listened to it before, but I fuccin love it

[@heartstrings110]

Never heard of them. Not my style, but it seems they are good in their genre.

[@dant1n]

I booked these guys to play at my college last year. It was the best show I’d ever seen. Pierce is a class act and later offered a joint to me. Bless up. Free Palestine.

[@derek7284]

“Free Palestine” you corny

[@Rugmuncha]

@@derek7284I didn’t know standing with a country going thru a genocide was corny, but there ain’t nothing wrong w being on that cob imo

[@kevinschulze5258]

​@derek7284 go play in traffic

[@Hieroph4nt]

Stand With Israel, but you're so lucky I want to see them live so bad.

[@trashpocket839]

@@derek7284 braindead comment

[@idellekell]

I'm not usually super into non-melodic type music. But this was amazing. Like a wall of sound, great rhythm, and angsty vocals. This was cathartic. I'm gonna have to go look closer at their lyrics.

[@Selloutian]

Dude their lyrics are 💯

[@Turtl289]

Theyre so good.

[@trapyy1861]

diaspora problems is an amazing album i recommend

[@TopRamin]

Once you dive into their lyrics, you will connect with the emotions even more. Diaspora Problems is really a special album.

[@d8ms77]

They’re special. They’re also as hardcore as it gets 🤘🏼

[@ezrafinkelstein2634]

Love the contrast between the softly spoken, polite man and the screeching, raging persona once the music starts

[@wesleygarcia8363]

I absolutely love that we got a tiny desk version of such hard hitting and aggressive music

[@VladShpiro]

"Shout out T-pain" - I'm dead...

[@Prockski]

Have you seen his cover of War Pigs?

[@theburiedheartofficial1427]

This is the most punk band I've seen in the last 10 years. Awesome set

[@phillip-michaelharris8032]

Real punk!!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@twood12301]

I am very fortunate to say that these guys were the first punk show I saw live, one of the best shows I've seen to this day.

[@HagisMurderhornet]

Amazing performance by an important band to the entire scene. Thank you NPR and Tiny Desk for introducing Soul Glo to many who would otherwise never have been blessed with their hardcore greatness 🤘

[@vanessaseymour2634]

I am truly awake right now! It's 6 am, I open up my notification, and I get punk rock. Thanks Tiny Desk, even though I'm still trying to recover😂😂😂.

[@RobPhifer]

Did not expect this Tiny Desk. Awesome.

[@arjangujral1645]

Can always count on NPR to make my day better!

[@TheRealDannAlexander]

🤘🤘🤘 Tiny Heavy Desk

[@HatsOnWrong]

Nice to see the tiny desk crew really getting into it. And nice to see a hardcore band on here, especially Soul Glo!

[@connormcfall]

this is wild! played a parking lot show at fest in FL with them and will always be a core memory. soul glo making npr!!!!

[@Sandybowls_9001]

Better than a shot of espresso.

[@Miguel_fym]

Love this! Ol Dirty meets Black Flag

[@Auntkekebaby]

Yeah 😂😂😂

[@jonl6155]

This goes as hard as dennys grand slam

[@alicethemadrabbit1842]

Waffle house All-star! 🍑😁

[@meowertwelve6262]

When I heard about this I thought it was crazy, but it turns out they did too.

[@MrJayJamz]

My cat was so scared when i watched this

[@sabrinarae-lym8150]

😂

[@daenudaenu395]

I am so here for the hardcore Renaissance! In a world where hip hop goes country just because it's what sells, the purity and report from the ground floor feeling, is what draws people to hardcore.

[@chrispadilla4027]

That dissonant guitar and heavy bass on this version of driponomics goes so hard.

[@rascaltuff]

soul glow is killin rn so cool to see them on tiny desk!

[@robynviljoen2887]

How happy the crowd is 🤘🤣

[@RasecNatyagDrummer]

best tiny desk i've seen so far

[@BeatMiru]

I have watched all of these multiple times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. A+++

[@xoahkxodu]

LOVE IT!

[@presfebrand8742]

Needed this. So stoked they got put up for tiny desk ❤

[@Danloreee]

Guitarist REALLY feeling the music

[@Ray-sk8hz]

I never expected Soul Glo to perform on Tiny Desk. This is such an awesome performance

[@CasinoCosta]

I'm so confused, and I don't know why I can't stop watching this. I have never heard of these guys ever in my life, but I think I like it... I think

[@DecomposingPete]

I feel like I'm watching Bad Brains play on The Eric Andre Show, in the best way possible.

[@pizzazombie5209]

9:35 Chappell Roan's wig livin' it up on the shelf 🤘

[@BrysonFunk]

Incredible!!!! Freaking loved this.

[@jessicaprice2482]

Thank you Tiny Desk for introducing me to this amazinggggggg band. Their last album got no skips - all bangers

[@Eijiken]

I had to do a double take because I couldnt believe it Someone is incredibly based at NPR

[@ArmandoEnriquez]

Love to see some punk at NPR ❤

[@MR.FREEDMAN]

This is the coolest guest decision Tiny Desk has made in a looooong time. Soul Glo needs more ears, not the [insert] major label millionaire artist.

[@jmpnr]

Seeing Soul Glo play Tiny Desk just made my year. Legendary Philly band!!! Yall CRUSHED it!!!

[@cosmiccity_OFFICIAL]

it's cool how they still tune their guitars

[@ChristopherVillani]

This rules MSPaint next

[@taylorlou]

this one

[@ozminervarox]

Awesome !!! Just amazing !!! 😁🤘

[@colleen9580]

Wow that was tense 😮

[@moldypizza]

Nice kufiya 🇵🇸

[@chillealex666]

Main reason I watched this Tiny Desk and I’m not disappointed ✊✊✊🍉🍉🍉

[@stefaniegrindle9774]

free Palestine!!!

[@rugbyrob]

Punks, who want freedom, representing religious fascists. America is an interesting place.

[@austinkoble]

This was absolutely incredible. More of this please

[@claytonwright5606]

I remember saying almost 10 years ago that soul glo was the most important band in DIY punk. Look at em now!!

[@wecotah]

One of the best performances I've seen!

[@blahber222]

i am so proud of y’all. i cannot wait to celebrate in whatever city i see ya next ♥️♥️

[@andrewwilliams5456]

This is freaking awesome

[@jadastaywoke3776]

That was lit 🔥🎸🥁🤘🏽

[@Super_Saiyen_Potato]

YES

[@Skirkle]

Love the drip on all of them, especially the keffiyeh 🇵🇸

[@lindahoang5123]

I NEEDED THIS

[@NMantovaneli]

Me too

[@the13rook]

Shout out to Philly!!

[@brokencrow2105]

I've seen many a Tiny Desks, but I never saw this coming. I mean, I was excited PUP was on (even if from their home) and they're just some ripping pop-punk. Thanks for the dose of energy from one of the best contemporary hardcore bands around in Soul Glo-I needed this. Hopefully, they aren't "Banned in D.C." like some other legends after this one. ;)

[@barbiegirl985]

LETS GOOOOOOOO

[@simsim654]

incroyable , retour direct dans ma jeunesse, je m'attendais vraiment pas à ça merci merci merci

[@gilbert2309]

If you haven't heard of these guys, thank God you have now they are well worth the investment ✊🏻

[@zuuded7529]

a perfect voice for hardcore punk

[@javierjurado7215]

Watched at low volume and still experienced hearing loss. Unmatched energy.

[@JosefBeermann]

Thanks so much.

[@VoidMaker407]

Saw these guy live twice, their energy is unmatched! FIRE DRILLLLLLLLLLLL

[@cycyj847]

This was interesting. Thank you Tiny Desk for showing a range of artists and music.

[@robertoenciso486]

I can't stop to watch this concert

[@imab8618]

Yessss I've been waiting for this

[@girlimagineart]

This is fukng amazing!❤‍🔥

[@MarceloPerdigon-jm3vh]

Absolute ❤

[@Proles-kc5hj]

I haven't enjoyed hardcore that much in at least 10 years...reminds me of the early 2000's San Diego style I grew up on, meets ODB

[@TrillyThough]

More of this!

[@clubvalley]

Yea!

[@lubayart]

BigUp for doing it! About time!

[@liver4097]

this version of driponomics is soooooo good

[@greeple0]

So happy for soul glo getting recognition they deserve, thanks tiny desk

[@Xenevyar]

major Bad Brains vibes! \m/

[@Auntkekebaby]

!

[@morgansmith7009]

He doin’ the meme.

[@noesunyoutuber7680]

The scourge of every Black punk band since.

[@davidayala3101]

Soul glo, love them

[@davidayala3101]

I love them but this was incredible, like

HUGE Desk! ❤

[@RecordKrate]

That was cool!

[@noesunyoutuber7680]

This goes so hard.

[@Shawnboy112]

Is this the first hardcore band to ever play a tiny desk concert?

[@waterboyrene1241]

turnstile played a while ago, although their set was more laidback

[@devinekevin]

@@waterboyrene1241 turnstile wasn't in the npr office though. This is the first hardcore band to play at the tiny desk, as it says in the video description.

[@againstthegraingolf301]

GWAR about a year ago I think

[@flints]

First moshpit tho

[@lentilsAre]

@@againstthegraingolf301 gwar isn't a hardcore band

[@maxromero2305]

Wow!!

[@TUSOLeo]

Legendary

[@priswatson]

I AM SO HAPPY I LOVE YOU SOUL GLO🔥🔥

[@midnitekoffee4694]

Best tiny desk 🤘💀

[@drippington7967]

Incredible music. amazing performance.

[@luke.huyard]

SEEING THEM IN HARRISONBURG, VA THIS SUNDAY

[@TheSunkissedmein2000]

Ofc you are 😂

[@luke.huyard]

@@TheSunkissedmein2000 deadass

[@jonathanetayo8001]

see you there!

[@aurch77]

Soooooooo sick!