Agnes Obel: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bob Boilen | February 15, 2017 — Agnes Obel, a Danish singer and writer of deeply alluring music, brought her work into what you could call its opposite — an office in the daylight. While the setting is a bit contrary to her carefully plotted, vocally dense songs, she mapped out a strategy which included her own reverb and monitor mix in the (successful, I think) hope of giving the Tiny Desk an aesthetic more suitable to these focused and powerful songs.

And so, today we have Agnes Obel performing three songs from the enchanting Citizen of Glass alongside her band — keeping it sonically spare with just the right touch of keyboard and cello.

Citizens of Glass is available now:

SET LIST
"It's Happening Again"
"Golden Green"
"Stone"

MUSICIANS
Agnes Obel (vocals, keys); Charlotte Danhier (keys, backup vocals); Kristina Koropecki (cello, backup vocals); Marianne Lewandowski (backup vocals, percussion)

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Becky Harlan, Nicole Boliaux; Production Assistant: Jenny Gathright; Photo: Raquel Zaldivar/NPR.

[aJJMakesSense]

Agnes obel music makes me feel like I'm in the back of an ambulance seeing the last moments of my life in iridescent flashes, and by that I mean I love her music.

[erica]

Agnes Obel's music is so beautiful it actually hurts

[arfarfarfarf]

I LOVE Agnes, but all these women are very talented.

[xamax]

Saw her play in a small church in my small canadian uni town...it was mindblowing and so is this small show

[eveofearth]

Why does Agnes look like a Roman sculpture?? Her face is so defined and flawless....

[baflatoxin]

Of course Agnes Obel did a tiny desk performance.
Some of the coolest songwriter/musicians on Earth have scratched their names into that desk.

[Digues]

OMG THIS WOMAN IS SUCH A GREAT ARTIST HOLY SHIT

[RingfSaturn]

While I like many different kinds of music (from classical to rock to ambient and more), Agnes Obel's music is transformative and hypnotic. It's also refreshing that she is humble in her performances, letting the music speak without a lot of flash. Thank you, Agnes, for bringing beauty to the world.

[Insane]

Agnes Obel and her crew create entire worlds of wonder and beauty that drives me to tears. Love your work, Agnes!

[alejandrotorres]

With no reverb on voice channel it’s easier to realize what an amazing singer she is. My favorite artist ever.

[ranggasuryagading]

happy to finally see Phoebe made it in the music industry as a backing vocalist

[bruceviv]

Her music is just magic . Brings me to a place of joy and peace.

[Gabriela-tbuv]

So underrated, she deserves more, is beautiful.

[TRIXa]

i dunno why i am appreciating Agnes and the band so much - it touches me where no-one's looking at.

[noahjamesgose]

I've discovered so many amazing musicians from this channel. Thank you so much, NPR Music for helping to shape my musical tastes.

[glorfyndel]

I have been waiting for so long... It's like a dream becoming true !! ==> Agnes Obel on NPR

[tuekg]

Always such nice comments on NPR's channel

[quiikk]

I didn't realize I live along side actual Angels. They sound so beautiful together. This sound gives me hope in humanity. 💟

[veremox]

I'd love to see Portishead playing on tiny desk.

got chills just picturing that nyc show with the live orchestra.

[MicahEdmonds]

Never clicked on a notification faster.