Foxing: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Foxing play Slapstick, Nearer My God and Grand Paradise at the Tiny Desk.

June 12, 2019 | Lyndsey McKenna and Marissa Lorusso -- When we invited Foxing to NPR HQ, we wondered how the band's big sound would translate to such a (forgive us) tiny space. Would Foxing bring a bagpiper to recreate the shrill accent it snuck onto its latest album, 2018's Nearer My God, or try to replicate the cathartic energy of its live shows over the hum of computers and fluorescent lights?

Not quite. Instead, the St. Louis-based group brought the same sense of purpose to its Tiny Desk arrangement that's impressed us across its three full-length releases. Performing to larger audiences with each new album, Foxing is at the forefront of what's referred to as "emo revival," a term for today's crop of bands heavily influenced by late-'90s and early 2000s groups like Sunny Day Real Estate, Cap'n Jazz, American Football and others. But with each new LP, Foxing's ambitions reach beyond the genre's boundaries, incorporating broader inspiration.

For its Tiny Desk, Foxing spotlighted three standout tracks from Nearer My God. The quieter instrumentation pushed singer Conor Murphy's starkly confessional lyrics and shattering delivery to the forefront, especially on the set's opening song, "Slapstick." And even with minimal amplification, the swelling chorus of the title cut "Nearer My God" is just as impressive as performed during the band's explosive concerts.

For this performance, Foxing expanded its numbers, bringing a saxophonist and a couple of string players to accompany the band's touring lineup — and somehow, we managed to fit everyone behind Bob Boilen's desk.

SET LIST
"Slapstick"
"Nearer My God"
"Grand Paradise"

MUSICIANS
Conor Murphy: lead vocal, guitar; Jon Hellwig: drums; Ricky Sampson: guitar, bass; Eric Hudson: keys, vocals; Brett Torrence: bass; Caeleigh Featherstone: vocals, keys; Gabriel Valle: violin; Nathan Sander: viola; Jordan Pettay: alto saxophone

CREDITS
Producers: Lyndsey McKenna, Marissa Lorusso, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Bronson Arcuri, Kara Frame, Beck Harlan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR

[lunabear]

props to whoever thought to bring instruments to this IT department team building event, it really came together nicely

[sadaholic]

i’m always blown away by the complexity and amount of depth in foxings music. they involve so many instruments and make them all work so amazingly. it has so many layers but they’re so neat and clean and nothing disrupts anything and idk man it’s just beautiful to see it live

[DesecrationSmile]

This is my favorite Bob’s Burgers episode.

[marmalamuc]

Man that saxophonist FINDS IT at the end of the set. What a great addition for these songs

[maximkammerer]

The chemistry between these people is insane! Also the new album is so different and sooo good! Really musicians by heart.

[ChannelRejss]

Damn, he's rocking that Hero Academia shirt on tinydesk. Huge thumbs-up!!!

[spencergipple]

Love how the lead singer raises his voice when singing I'M ON THE FLOOR WITH THE HALO HEADACHE FROM BAD COKE

[BarryTones]

super alto sax solo end of Grand Paradise, real stylish thanks

[CarrizalesVO]

My goodness this guy has an amazing live voice. Love it!

[AlotlikeArham]

everyone including myself loved foxing for their first album but I really think they found their style with their newer stuff

[Charles]

I wish Jon wasn't so hidden in the back, easily one of my favorite drummers ever

[IDIOTEQTube]

Perfect! I wish they played some older songs from The Albatross. Damn, what an organic sound. Great stuff.

[RadicalDreamerWD]

Saw them open for Coheed & Cambria earlier this year, and if Coheed brought the house down, Foxing definitely crippled the structure. Absolutely fantastic live.

[justincaseyoudcall]

I didn't think Nearer My God could get better. And it did

[bettertomorrow]

I love this session so much. Sitting on my balcony at 3.27am and enjoy every second. This is so pure.

[betweenthebars]

Incredible performance, odd camera zoom/angles though. Legend has it we still don’t know if there was actually a drummer there

[julianwilliams]

This was my first time listening to this band and in the last two days I listened to all their albums. Crazy good. The whole package.

[tmunny]

I’m so proud of them. This was absolutely beautiful. Thanks NPR now give us more emo

[alexhiggins]

I keep coming back to this TDC more than any other. Best three songs from the album and the performance is brilliant. Emo kids unite.

[shycowgirl]

when the acoustic guitar and drums kick in during *chef's kiss*
love watching these guys grow with their sound <3