The Lone Bellow: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

After hearing The Lone Bellow's self-titled debut, I couldn't wait to play it for friends and on All Songs Considered - I knew people would love it. Still, honestly, I was unprepared for the stunning power of the band's live show. When you see this Tiny Desk Concert, I'm sure you'll experience the same sensation I did. The Lone Bellow features three brilliant players, with Zach Williams singing every word as if it's the last time he'll ever get the chance. He's got a bit of Springsteen in him; it's the sort of delivery I was sure couldn't get more intense, until it does.
Kanene Pipkin and Brian Elmquist aren't just supporting players; they're vital. Their voices harmonize with Williams', sometimes making vocal power chords and at other times supplying delicate textures. Pipkin's mandolin and Elmquist's guitar create melodies and rhythms that seem a lot bigger than 14 unamplified strings normally make.
Williams began writing songs not too many years back while living in Georgia, inspired by tragedy - a riding accident that left his young wife temporarily paralyzed. That inspiration and undeniable heart comes through in every song. I'm so glad we got The Lone Bellow on the rise, because I have a feeling they're about to get very, very busy. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"You Never Need Nobody"
"Two Sides Of Lonely"
"Teach Me To Know"
"You Don't Love Me"
Credits
Producer: Bob Boilen; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Gabriella Demczuk,Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Marie McGrory; photo by Lizzie Chen/NPR

[@samiserhan6296]

Every single day I find my fingers typing "The Lone Bellow NPR" whenever I have an opportunity to go on KZbin. Thank you for this, all the way from Lebanon.

[@deathbyproxy2]

What a sound right?... I think I have a man crush and a woman crush all at the same time :)

[@HeimoPaffhausen]

Basically people commenting this are people I'd run in and enjoy beers and music with. Top notch! Hope you still enjoy it after 6 years like you did back then.

[@samiserhan6296]

@@HeimoPaffhausen i do.

[@WGBHMusic]

Still one of my all time favorite Tiny Desk concerts. Perfect fit for this band.

[@musicby2deep]

I keep coming back to this. The first song is one of the finest musical performances I have seen. You guys left it all on the table.

[@HeltonMoura]

2023 ♥

[@dapap93]

came back now!

[@danielwebster2988]

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been coming back to this video for 10 years now and its just as good as the first time, every single time.

[@hajarksikes3816]

2:30 is probably one of the most beautiful ascension I've ever heard. Harmonies, intensity and broken voices. It's all there.

[@dongvermine]

Chills

[@jasonberenyi2410]

Every time I watch this I fall in love with Kanene Pipkin. And then Zach and then Brian, and then Kanene.......Just amazing.

[@meriannestoneback7436]

Every time I hear Kanene do a solo I love her even more. Such a unique vlice, she just slays

[@peterrandall6555]

Gave me chills. Wow, that was good. Thanks for introducing my to this fabulous group of musicians!

[@itwashimmusic]

Tears. Every time. The sheer power of songs born of the root of the Earth upon which our people built our homes. Pure bardic power.

[@starali16]

This is one of the best tiny desk concerts. The singers have such amazing energy and passion in this performance.

[@CourtnayLow1]

That blend is absolutely magical. Holy moly, tears.

[@washucolin]

I often keep the Tiny Desk Concerts running in the background while I am at work, so I have music. Occasionally I will click over to the KZbin window with the concert to see the name of a group or song. This is the first time I was compelled to watch, not just listen to, an entire performance. Now I have to put in an extra 15 minutes at work today, but it was worth it!

[@meriannestoneback7436]

Watching this again after buying my first set of tickets to one of their shows. Their live versions of Teach Me To Know always outshine the album version. I can't wait until January. ❤

[@mustbegus]

Just wait till you hear a live version of Tree to grow!

[@jeremychua5328]

the amount of emotions and effort put into this performance is INSANELY GOOD!!! Such passion!!!

[@67stardust]

Never heard of these guys and gal before. This performance took my breath away.. Stunning...

[@henryjones508]

This band entered my radar yesterday, and has quickly jumped front and center. fantastic harmonies, sweet lyrics, great sound. I hope they continue to make beautiful music, and NPR keeps finding wonderful bands like this!

[@AustinFraser321]

Great voices, wonderful harmonies, meaningful lyrics. Doesn't get much better than this in my opinion....

[@kendallfrombensoniteproduc7113]

How am I seven years late to this? Wow.

[@mysteriopa]

Same!

[@apertureonfirephotography4795]

Same! I'm waiting for The Sweeplings to get on this.

[@StephanieV04]

Every time I hear them, they give me chills! Absolutely amazing! Love the lone bellow!

[@oot-n-aboot]

Still one of the most amazing bands to discover live (at the Greek during The Bluegrass Situation). Had never heard of them...but had my mind absolutely blown and my heart filled with joy and song.

[@matthewmattucci6684]

they are very very very talented god bless there souls

[@haggard101]

damn! singing straight from the soul

[@ethandill1242]

I love coming back to this song. Beautiful performance.

[@ipodkiller6]

Okay, this instantly got me excited seeing them on my homepage at NPR. I've probably listened to their album 20 times in the past month that's how much I love it. Their live performances have just gone from good to absolutely freaking amazing!

[@lendibona9516]

Right up there with Lake Street Dive…wow!

[@andrewgould1001]

Jeeze they kill it live! like a blast of energy hitting you in the face through my smart phone

[@mikewalls4786]

It doesn't get any better than this.

[@WGBHMusic]

This band is fantastic. So glad we were able to film their recent show at The Paradise in Boston. Amazing performance.

[@joemoth90]

Thank you for posting this! I'm in love with the live version of Teach Me To Know! The Lone Bellow are truly amazing :)

[@WGBHMusic]

Johnny Falter Glad you like the video! Thanks for letting us know. TLB is great!

[@WGBHMusic]

Brilliant as usual, NPR Music. Still inspiring us over at WGBH Music.

[@Tnbrisket]

They are amazing live

[@TomHWP]

Bloody hell this guy can sing!

[@dongvermine]

One of the greatest. Bands 2 ever do it..,let me just say they are. Compared in my book 2 cat Stevens,,,just about the highest praise u can get from me… they are welcome to ride with me n the boyz anytime.

[@Amethys12]

They look like babies here 😌

[@dudustickytricks]

Sorry, all my (former) favorite artists and bands... these three are IT for me, now. Amazing energy, amazing albums, amazing live. What more do you need?

[@pambinion2375]

Exactly!

[@DanYankees7]

This is my first time listening to them - this performance brought tears to my eyes.

[@DanYankees7]

+DanYankees7 Saw them live for the first time last night. I was weeping through several songs of the concert, including this one. I came back to watch this video and totally forgot I made this comment about a year ago today.

[@sydtscott]

Good Lord, this was outstanding. I've got goosebumps.

[@ThePOSSM]

Holy crap. The first song grabbed me and I couldn't look away

[@ExiledBadger]

Shed a tear. Such passion in their music cannot be found anywhere else.

[@CheshireCat6639]

I am new to this band..found them through Eddys Vinyl Break on yt...love the passion ❤ of these guys voices...🎶🎙

[@musicsdarkangel]

My god. Finally, good music.

[@thewaynehoskinsband]

I can't get enough of this.

[@joshmacfarlanemusic]

dear god they all have amazing voices. Perfect blend

[@setomotobobo]

This is the first time I can hear all three voices with much clarity and detail that's not on the album I purchased. Each of their voice is so prominent but blends so well together! Great performance!

[@lunchmeat84]

The way the camera pans down to catch the lead guitar riff at 1:30 is great. Nice work there.

[@8stringswildoo]

Saw them with my son at the "LA Bluegrass Situation" it was his first concert and he was blown away when they came out, it was the first time we both had heard of The Lone Bellow, truly a great performance.

[@caitlinrego6039]

they rocked the tent at Newport folk festival...best band and performance of the weekend!!! Amazing live.

[@MathieuBouvier]

I couldn't agree more. The sound quality in the Tiny Desk Concerts always left me speechless. Capturing the essence of the bands sounds without getting in the way. Of course, it probably helps that the artists always have an incredible talent to begin with :-)

[@webaker]

thanks, tiny desk, for enabling me in irresponsible concert ticket purchasing decisions. i'm now going to see these guys in two weeks and i am SO FRIGGIN EXCITED

[@cjs71988]

you wont be disappointed.

[@GinGie913]

When they're all just bouncing around during teach me to know you can see their love for music. They can barely contain it

[@dakotakirk87]

Still one of my favorite NPR sets

[@UnCreativeChannel]

only the best from NPR. i want to give every one in that office a hug for all the amazing music they have introduced me to.

[@JakeMBlount]

It is 90 degrees and I'm covered in goosebumps.

[@circleofattention6021]

One of the strongest Tiny Desk i've seen over the years ❤️❤️❤️

[@gtrdotpkr]

Every song is full of power and meaning. Love the vocal work. Lots of hours of work and it comes of clean and refreshing.

[@maejsmom]

Love. Love. Love. My 10 year old is singing along with them!

[@creemeeontop]

These guys are just amazing!

[@NeKo487]

their passion... my new favorite by far

[@manitou1954]

I saw them recently in Savannah and was just floored by their energy and their musicianship. They feed off the audience and that couldn't possibly be duplicated in the studio.

[@orandako]

Love this show. This group is just simply fantastic. Each of them contributing 100% physically & emotionally. HUGE vocals. Love how they interact with each other. Love the harmonizing, love the addition of strings strategically. Agree with Hajar that 2:30 is a fabulous moment in music. See also "Watch Over Us", Mill City Nights and especially Honda Stage videos for __fabulous__ interactions (especially from Kanene) as they sing. Heart-stopping. Note to Bob Boilen: 6+6+8 = 20, so maybe that is why it "sounds like more than 14 unamplified strings". 😄

[@anthonygiust3674]

I have been Fortunate to see them perform live on 2 separate occasions. The 2 best most memorable exciting concerts I've been to. I'll never forget them!!!!

[@AgnesANutter]

"You'll never need nobody" is quite lovely

[@deathbyproxy2]

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DES CRIBE THE UNITY THESE PEOPLE HAVE !!! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! TOTAL INTEGRATION AND THE WAY THE VOICES BLEND OH MY WORD!!!!!!!!!! NEVER EVER TIRE OF HEARING THEM>>>>>>>>>>>

[@Amethys12]

...never...

[@vanessaheise9148]

Love these guys so much!!!

[@NickBurkaOTM]

so very much looking forward to what comes next for these guys.

[@DeanJamesification]

Saw you guys at Outside Lands yesterday. Just wanna say you were one of my top favorites! Thanks guys

[@JDHalfbreed]

This is just beautiful. I have saved this video and now I'm a fan. Time to start listening to more!

[@legionario4310]

simply amazing! the way he sings and the companion of the other two members is perfect :)

[@haggard101]

watched this so many times already! just gets better with each listen.

[@leonac26]

Wonderful and beautiful harmonizing.

[@Guitarmaster332]

This gives me goosebumps... absolutely flawless

[@CAUTIONmagneticable]

I loved this so far.... but starting at 2:29 and on I decided this might be my favorite band ever.

[@kyledubose6952]

Kevin Fetterman When he starts sweating...

[@TheGuyPhillips]

I've been listening for about four months and I knew they'd be on NPR soon enough.

[@natelogston]

this is absolutely beautiful!

[@MyAFDA]

Fantastic!! I am completely addicted to Tiny Desk Concerts. Thanks for this.

[@bassflyer]

Love love love this!

[@katrinamounivong]

Probably one of my favorite Tiny Desk Concerts

[@mougsy1]

Saw them in Montreal . Incredible!!

[@sjladuke75]

Love their harmonies!

[@DBowPT]

The harmonies... they'll get you every time!

[@zacramer]

Holy harmony

[@mtrav1]

I can't appreciate these guys as much as I wish I could because I literally just can't stop looking at her. I swear I am in love with this human being. Oh my GRACIOUS.

[@andrewbluebells2370]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, GREAT HARMONIES, I LOVE THIS BAND THANKS FOR UPLOADING THIS

[@MTTucker12345]

wonderful

Strength, passion, delicacy and tons of talent! Superb!!!

[@jasonaaron1077]

AMAZING!! Great harmonies and songwriting !!

[@DavidBadajozdb]

Thank you so much.

[@willykayak]

lovely harmonies, very pleasant and the passion is wild. thanks NPR!!!

[@BekJensen]

So gorgeous. I felt like my heart was holding on by a thread. Such fantasticly, raw and sweaty delivery!

[@twin5017]

This is wonderful!!

[@noahneon]

One of the best performances of anything I've ever seen

[@WatersideStudioMusic]

These guys are amazing! Saw them at Rockwood...so much passion. So authentic!

[@smithyjones6652]

saw them perform for a free concert in Lancaster, PA a few days ago...incredible. beautiful sound and beautiful people.

[@adrianglory8083]

Cant believe I discover them until 2018.

[@Amethys12]

Welcome!

[@blackburnrfc1]

It's like Jordan Schlansky got religion. And a bushel of talent.

[@jeffreymcummings]

Wow. Intense. Love the passion. Must see them live!!!

[@tbanke]

Holy shit this is beautiful!

[@angelicasoderlund8717]

Wow! So beautiful!

[@jozina1]

I love this!

[@juliedalessandrosing]

Iconic.

[@nathanielsmedley2066]

Just saw The Lone Bellow in Iowa City and it was an incredible show! Catch them in intimate settings while you can!

[@thegoldenthread]

Tonight in Richmond!!! SO excited to seem them live, again.

[@elizabethdavis2860]

They killed it tonight in Richmond. What an amazing performance!

[@10til2]

They are magically good. Simply amazing.

[@robertgiubertoni2376]

awesome..fantastic harmonies and energy,need to catch them live !