Karol G: Tiny Desk Concert

Anamaria Sayre | May 15, 2023
Arriving at the Tiny Desk not long after becoming the first female artist to have a Spanish-language album top the Billboard 200 chart, Colombian singer Karol G shined brighter than ever. With an all-female crew backing her, the proud energia femenina and the prowess of a band dominated exclusively by women is undeniably brilliant here. It was also the first time in many years, she said, that she hadn't rehearsed without her typical on-stage equipment, like in-ear monitors. "I forgot how cool it feels," she said. Authenticity isn't a prescription for Karol G, it's a natural state — something that she carries with her, waiting for the next opportunity to reveal another version of Carolina.

"CAROLINA," her given name, was also the title of the opening track of her performance, as she got to jamming in a manner atypical for the superstar. Trading her flute and trumpet for an accordion and tuba she "bring[s] some Mexican vibe to this place," she said, with "GUCCI LOS PAÑOS." She paused between songs and offered a cheers to the room, admitting that she had meant to sip her Mezcalito before the previous song.

She emphasized the rawness of the moment by slowing things down for a stripped down, reggae-leaning version of "PERO TÚ." Sliding seamlessly into a bossa nova-esque "MERCURIO" — the version she wishes she'd included on the album — "La Bichota" brought the music back up and danced herself off stage. Away from the stadium lights, Karol G's performance wasn't just a blip of normalcy for the pop star — it was permission from the self-described "happy-heartbreak girl" to get up, whether in the streets of Medellín or an office in Washington, D.C., and dance with every version of yourself.

SET LIST
"CAROLINA"
"GUCCI LOS PAÑOS"
"PERO TÚ"
"MERCURIO"

MUSICIANS
Carolina Giraldo (Karol G): vocals
Susana Vasquez: guitar
Jemma Heigis: piano
Giulliana Merello: drums
Patricia Ligia: bass
Crystal Torres: trumpet
Hailey-Mae Niswanger: flute
Katiuska Fernandes: percussion
Irany Martinez: accordion
India Anderson: tuba
Rob Trujillo: musical director

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills, Marissa Lorusso, Pilar Galván, Jill Britton
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #eltiny #karolg

[nprmusic]

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[JemmaHeigis]

Que emoción 😭❤️ estoy super agradecida por la oportunidad tocar algo tan hermoso con karol y las chicas 🥹🫶

[IranyDavidOficial]

Demasiado bendecida! Representando Mexico con mi acordeón. Gracias Karol por esta oportunidad, te admiro. Que honor el haber tocado con chicas llenas de talento y gran corazón🥹💕🪗

[guitarslaw]

Did anyone noticed all the looks exanged between those talented mujeres during the set ? Smiling at each other, feeling the groove alltogether, this is amazing, this gig in my top 5 tiny desk concerts
All the songs are reorchestrated and each one has a special ambiance thanks to each instrumentalist having the lead during each song.
You can like or dislike Karol G, you can like or dislike the style of music or langage or anything you want to, but if you're a musician you only can be in awe listening to this set

[alejandrosalvatore]

Este tiny desk acabó de derrumbar un millón de prejuicios en mi cabeza. Qué artista!

[Dino]

me encantó su team de mujeres, muchísimo talento femenino ahí!

[YouTube]

karol g's band is giving me life rn 🎸🥁🎤

[MonaLaLoca]

Una COLOMBIANA cantando un corrido ❤❤❤, si un corrido, con una banda de morras bien talentosas. ✨✨🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵

[cvargasmusica]

😊Definitivamente nadieeee puede decir que lo de KarolG es suerte, esta mujer tiene un talento indiscutible ❤️ su cora y su vibra son espectaculares

[lissymc]

amo que todo su equipo musical sean mujeres, eres lo máximo Karol la mejor

[universalmusica]

Karol es todo lo que está bien🌸Este Tiny Desk nos encantó 🤍

[vanessaa]

This version of Mercurio needs to be released officially as a single. It's 🔥

[chemonflakes]

Nunca habia escuchado a Karol g asi en acustico y la verdad es que me sorprendio escelente los musicos extraordinarios se saco un un 10 de 10

[mireyagarzonpedraza]

Demostrado la gran artista que es. Para los que tenían alguna duda.

[bribriskyla]

La gorra del Ferxxxo Mooor, 💚🧢 💚 Me encanto todo. Tu voz, los instrumentos, y una banda compuesta de solo mujeres. Girl Power 💪🌺💪

[videonewt]

I don't understand a word Karol G is singing but she is so good and talented and that voice is amazing. Just heard from fans that are going to see her tonight at the Rose Bowl. Have fun and enjoy her lovely music! Thanks Tiny Desk for introducing me to Karol G.

[dnl]

Madre Santísima, pero que sesión. Talento femenino en su máxima expresión. Y esa canción de regional mexa, uffff. Que grande CAROLINA 🇲🇽❤️

[areftello]

00:01 Carolina
03:56 Gucci Los Paños
07:45 Pero Tú
12:16 Mercurio

[itzelquijada]

Está mujer es sorprendente, todas esas mujeres que la acompañan también arriba las mujeres ❤😊

[johannasaenz]

O sea, o sea, ¡o sea! Esta mujer es una artista IMPECABLE que concierto tan bello, que arreglos musicales tan preciosos que vozarrón el de esta mujer. ¡Maravillosa!