Thanks to the recent performances, National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts have been gaining traction on social media lately.

NPR Music, a project of the broadcasting organization NPR, began creating Tiny Desk Concerts in 2009. Even in the early stages, the videos were extremely popular, amassing thousands of views. They’ve maintained the same studio throughout the years, inviting countless artists. These Tiny Desk Concerts gave established and upcoming artists a chance, leading to various genres across the series.

With the boom of short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, NPR Music began releasing short clips of their Tiny Desk Concerts online. This pushed them further into the mainstream, making them known to a younger demographic. More specifically, they gained mass attention from clips of Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii and Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s performances, along with many others. Each concert is captivating and displays the artists in a bite-sized format, usually around 16-25 minutes long. These short performances are helpful for those browsing for new artists, as they can get a feel for their work besides just listening to their top tracks. While the artists previously mentioned are the most prominent examples, Tiny Desk hosts many lesser-known artists with the same lively energy, exposing them to a broader audience.

Chappell Roan is a clear example of this. At the time of her Tiny Desk Concert, she had been performing as an opener for Olivia Rodrigo, a well-known artist and actor. Besides her Tiny Desk Concert, this served as her doorway to stardom. When watching the performance, it’s obvious why. Chappell Roan’s energy seeps through every facet of the performance. From the costume design and props down to the dramatic gesturing, Chappell captures the camp aesthetic in every aspect. Chappell and the other musicians are all dressed in a vibrant hot pint, along with messy running makeup, and in the segments between songs, she pulls out a giant fuzzy fan. Her vocals are stunning, notably in the songs “Picture You” and “Red Wine Supernova.” It’s no wonder how the performance helped to skyrocket her career when each minute is so captivating that it’s hard to look away.

Another instance is Doechii’s performance. In the past couple of years, clips from Doechii’s songs, such as “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” and “What It Is,” have been going viral on social media, pushing her into view. Though she’s been known for a while, the release of her new album “Alligator Bites Never Heal” in conjunction with her Tiny Desk Concert has caused a rapid growth in her popularity. Her performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk is a testament to her musical ability. The songs chosen were smoothly adapted into a pleasant acoustic form. The vocal performances are also outstanding, with several singers at a time being utilized to create a complex, appealing sound. Everything within the short 23-minute performance exudes flawlessness. The quality of performance shows how Doechii’s Tiny Desk Concert aided her rise to success.

There is an apparent reason behind Tiny Desk’s consistent popularity. Their ability to pick talented artists and showcase them at their fullest potential makes each performance enjoyable, no matter the artist or genre. Because of the format, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts are an accessible way to listen to great performances by up-and-coming artists.