Little Dragon: Tiny Desk Concert

Mitra I. Arthur | Aug 11, 2023
The last time Swedish band Little Dragon performed for Tiny Desk, the group wasn't actually at the Desk. Like a number of Tiny Desk alum who played between 2020 and 2022, Little Dragon delivered its debut Tiny Desk as a (home) concert in the band's Gothenburg studio. That performance provided a comforting balm to many during the early and confusing months of the global pandemic. Finally hosting the quartet in our Washington, D.C. office was the ultimate goal, and in this in person Tiny Desk, Little Dragon delivers a performance awash with upbeat and optimistic melodies balanced by a grounded presentation.

Since the band's debut album in 2007, Little Dragon created a blend of R&B, soul, electronica and dance pop that pushes the boundaries of simplistic genre classification. The whimsical whistling of drummer Erik Bodin in "Tumbling Dice" is the perfect complement to singer Yukimi Nagano encouraging us to "make it worth every step as we go." The cosmic pop tones of "Ritual Union'' are stripped away here, and the driving beat in this slowed down rendition heightens the contemplative lyrics on marriage. "Gold," from the band's newest album Slugs of Love, is a standout in this set. The verses build to a funky, thumping bassline, courtesy of Bodin and bassist Fredrik Wallin, anchoring a chorus that interpolates the Whitney Houston tune "Million Dollar Bill."

Keyboardist Håkan Wirenstrand delivers flowing embellishments and solos on every track, particularly in the last song of the set, "Where You Belong," from 2020's New Me, Same Us. Nagano's honeyed vocals make the song simultaneously mournful and hopeful, as she touches her hand to her chest, reminding us our lost loved ones have "been there all along, right where you belong."

SET LIST
"Tumbling Dice"
"Ritual Union"
"Gold"
"Where You Belong"

MUSICIANS
Yukimi Nagano: vocals
Erik Bodin: drums, vocals
Fredrik Wallin: bass, vocals
Håkan Wirenstrand: keys, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Kwesi Lee
Production Assistant: Zayrha Rodriguez
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #littledragon

[atomsk_arson]

This feels like running into an old friend and finding out they are doing better than ever!

[summaof]

One of the most underrated groups ever...I can listen to Yukimi's soulful voice any time of the day.

[kekahili]

Little Dragon is eternal. May they never stop making music.

[alefly]

00:00 - Tumbling dice
3:14 - Ritual Union
7:07 - Gold
11:11 Where you belong

[Jaznellow]

Yukimi - one of the best vocalists in the game!! But can we talk about Hakan on the keys?! Brought me to tears.

[ChrisAdragna]

Seeing Little Dragon in my feed while sipping coffee is knowing everything today needs to start 15 minutes later than planned.

[hunnibunniyadi]

Wheww 🥹 hearing this rendition of Ritual Union, feels like I’m giving my 20-something year old self a hug 🫂, I’m now in my Mid 30s. Music really transcends time like nothing else.

[sunayama]

Little Dragon made it to Tiny Desk! I'm gonna cry! I love their music so much!

[shortsupply]

So about 10 years ago I was dating this girl. Her mom offered us tickets to imagine dragons for later that evening. We obviously got super excited and started planning.

About an hour later we realised that if imagine dragons were actually coming to Cape Town it would be huge, we would have heard about it and it would have been at the stadium and not the small venue we had tickets to.

upon further inspection, the tickets were for little dragon. The girl didn't like any music that wasn't on the radio and deemed them too sad, we didn't go. I was heartbroken.

When we broke up I played little dragon on repeat, they helped pull me through some very dark times.

Twice is one of the best songs ever

[LolaRoxie]

Little BIH----Thank you to all involved for setting this up. I appreciate yall so much

[jhunt]

So many tunes by this band. The Wildfire SBTRKT colab is an absolute tune. The "New Me, Same Us" album is pure gold.

[insanitynprofanity]

This band is just something else. They radiate something impeccable.

[patalva]

Been listening to them since 2007 in high school. They have had such a huge impact in my life and it is such a treat to see them on Tiny Desk sounding incredibleeee! Thank you to your team Tiny Desk ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Little Dragon my favorite band you guys are so amazing come to Miami!!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

[tomfoster]

So interesting hearing these piano renditions! Their talent is endless!

[kevincarroll]

I just lost my cat and companion of 13 years and this gives me so much peace thank you for this serendipitous timing of this. My heart is broken but this brings me solace

[reeeefers]

She said "a Little Dragon classic" and i wasn't expecting an absolutely magical version of the song that got me into them. Yukimi4ever

[L.O.Hammmm]

Almost burst into tears when they started playing Ritual Union, so many memories with this song.

Hearing it at this stage of my life hits so different.

And this version of it feels so special.

[benracz]

Where You Belong.... "simultaneously mournful and hopeful" is such a beautifully accurate description. This song has so much depth of emotion. I never knew the intention behind this track, but to me it was an homage to the insecure, doubting self, who finds the confidence to take up space- brushing off feelings of loneliness and imposter syndrome, picking yourself up and moving forward with light. This upbeat rolling piano and the momentum of the bassline capture this feeling so powerfully. Little Dragon you fkn rock 💛

[falsebounty]

So happy my favorite band got a Tiny Desk concert!

[bringyourownheart]

Amazing. This version of "Gold" is absolutely beautiful.