NPR Music has come a long way since Bob Boilen launched the media outlet’s viral web series “Tiny Desk Concert” in 2008. Hundreds of intimate concerts have taken place at Boilen’s desk in the decade since, which are typically privately taped performances for the NPR staff. That’s all about to change, as Boilen announced on Tuesday that NPR Music will host its first-ever public “Tiny Desk” shows to take place as the inaugural Tiny Desk Fest later this month.
Tiny Desk Fest will include four nighttime concerts at the NPR offices in Washington, D.C., although the list of participating artists was not revealed with Tuesday’s announcement. Each of the four nights of music will feature different genres and performance styles including hip-hop (October 28th), pop-rock (October 29th), indie-pop (October 30th), and R&B (October 31st). The performances will also be streamed online for free each night beginning at 7 p.m. EST.
“The artists will be a surprise, but let’s just say we mean it when we say we’re going big,” it reads on the event website. “Each evening of Tiny Desk Fest will begin at 6 p.m. with a happy hour at NPR’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Guests will then watch a Tiny Desk concert recorded live at the iconic desk itself.”
Watch the announcement from Bob Boilen below.
Tiny Desk Fest Announcement
[Video: NPR Music]
Tickets to attend the inaugural Tiny Desk Fest in person go on sale this Thursday, October 3rd at 12 p.m. ET. It’s worth noting that fans may purchase only single-night tickets, as four-night passes are not available. Head to the event website for more info.