Sampha: Tiny Desk Concert

Ashley Pointer | November 29, 2023
When Sampha first performed at the Tiny Desk in 2017, it was just him and his keys. But for this second round, he had a very specific vision to execute. Accompanied by a spirited four-piece band who double as his background singers and percussionists, each member relishes in making music in multiple, creative configurations.

Sampha Lahai Sisay's music is known for its sheer vulnerability in tackling the human experience. On his debut album, Process, we met a son mourning the loss of his parents while navigating the relationship with his partner and future mother of his first child. On a transcendental follow up, LAHAI, we now meet Sampha as a father and a companion, asking us to revel in the magic of our existence.

In this Tiny Desk concert, Sampha performs three songs from LAHAI — "Spirit 2.0," "Only" and "Dancing Circles" — expertly rearranging each to sound exactly like its recorded version, allowing his ethereal voice and infectious grooves to wash over the room. Concluding the set with "Without," Sampha and his band gather in a drum circle, creating a cacophony of percussive rhythms, building the song from the bottom up. The performance ends with Sampha singing solo at the piano, beautifully reminiscent of his first Tiny Desk, except this time with his partner and children sitting criss-cross applesauce in front of the Desk. Truly a full circle moment.

SET LIST
"Spirit 2.0"
"Only"
"Dancing Circles"
"Without"

MUSICIANS
Sampha: lead vocals, keys, percussion
Blake Cascoe: drums, vocals, percussion
Elsas: keys, vocals, percussion
Rosetta: bass, vocals, percussion
Ruthven: percussion, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Videographers: Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Keren Carrión
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #sampha

[nprmusic]

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[SupremeArtifact]

I'm glad he is getting the recognition he deserves because that album was well made.

[Lilpeachers]

I didn’t know I could like “Without” any more than I already do!

[haileyb]

The funky version of Dancing Circles was INSANE!!

[nijalsmith]

impossible to not smile with the bassist

[Tigercam]

We dont have many artists like Sampha anymore. Such an honor to be able to listen to his creations

[Intho]

Had to look twice. His first performance was AMAZING. Thanks for having Sampha back on a second round!!

[FasterToTheEnd]

respect to that drummer for the spirit 2.0 groove. yussef wrote such a musical part, and is such a unique drummer that it's hard to nail that sound.

[KrisAdamsmusic]

Waves will catch you
Light will catch you
Love will catch you
Spirit gon’ catch you, yeah!

[antifugazi]

For those that are wondering what the final song is called (the one in-between Without) its called Gabriel by Roy Davis Jr, its a song that was played endlessly here inthe UK in the early 2000's, usually at UK Garage events and radio stations

[pierceive]

This version of 'Without' is absolutely sending me. Shoutout to the drummer and all the band members vibing in the drum circle ahh. Now it's like I'm part of the circle I'm vibing!!

[zislec]

The most versatile artistic performance I’ve ever seen on tiny desk.

[TheVonsk]

This man knows perfectly how to make the public feel what he’s feeling. I’m completely amazed in how Sampha transitioned from a place of grief to a joyful one. If you’re new to his music, take time to enjoy it and immerse yourself in his world.

[orbee]

Sampha, one of the most unique gems in modern music

[bakengis]

He's literally still exploring and reinterpreting the tunes after they've dropped. TRUE artist❤

[TheBMcGuire]

I think my favorite part of this channel is witnessing the playing of instruments

[exploitedmind]

Dancing Circles is simply the best song I've heard all year. The feeling is unmatched. It's awesome to see Sampha back at it again on Tiny Desk!

[samkelosabela]

Wow that drum circle and the drum transitions quite literally brought tears to my eyes

[Mmmpc]

A rare artist who sounds better live than recorded, wow… his sound has always continued to develop beautifully, this is a great venue to showcase his talent. Love it.

[rhythmlessroxby]

Absolutely gorgeous seeing every way this man has changed from his first album to the next. From grief to celebration... it's been worth watching Sampha evolve between his complex synthetic sounds, piano ballads & now big, soulful jams. An absolutely inspirational writer, performer, and man of love ❤ Thank you Sampha