Demi Lovato: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Lyndsey McKenna | April 14, 2021
A few years ago, some of us on the NPR Music team stumbled upon a copy of Demi Lovato's 2013 book, Staying Strong: 365 Days A Year. Reading Lovato's heartfelt daily reflections became a workday habit; her transparency and vulnerability made us ardent admirers who wanted nothing but the very best for Demi.

We made it our mission to get Demi to the Tiny Desk, and though the pandemic had other plans, Lovato's Tiny Desk (home) concert was worth the wait. Recorded on a sunny spring day in her Los Angeles backyard, Lovato begins with a moving rendition of "Tell Me You Love Me" from her 2017 record of the same name, accompanied by subtle, sparse keys. She continues her set with the title tracks from her recently-released studio album, Dancing With The Devil...The Art Of Starting Over. On both tracks, Lovato's voice feels stabilizing and grounding; there's a sense of clarity and purpose in its power.

When interviewed by NPR's Ailsa Chang back in 2017, Demi Lovato said, "I think I've lived a lot of life." Through both her struggles and successes, Lovato's shown all sides of herself – the confident and unapologetic star, but also the complexities of recovery – inviting us on her journey in a deeply personal way. Her intimate (home) concert feels like a natural extension of that sincerity.

SET LIST
"Tell Me You Love Me"
"The Art Of Starting Over"
"Dancing With The Devil"

MUSICIANS
Demi Lovato: vocals
Steven "Styles" Rodriguez: keys

CREDITS
Director: Mike Drew
Editor: Aaron Kroger
Engineer/Shader: David Vega
Camera Operator: Austin Wavra
Camera Operator: Noel Galan
Camera Operator: Drew Welker
Assistant Camera: Lawrence Montemayor
Audio : Steven "Styles" Rodriguez

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Abby O'Neill
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Kara Frame, Bob Boilen
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #demilovato

[nprmusic]

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[EthioBelle]

I’ll never get tired of hearing her sing Tell Me You Love Me live

[ameliaavianti]

Her voice as soft as a feather, as sharp as a knife

[sophiaisabelle]

Demi Lovato is slaying a lot more vocally compared to before. Happy to see her healthy.

[EnnaGirl]

0:01 Tell Me You Love Me
4:45 The Art of Starting Over
7:30 Dancing With The Devil

[TheLevantine]

Her technique improved so much, her vocal control is insane, she didn't miss a note🙌

[henrymathews]

Nobody:
Demi opens mouth: G5’s, G#5’s, A5’s 🎶

[julialarissa]

demi sings live the same way she sings in the studio, that's unbelievable, she's so talented, always makes me proud.

[theonlyexception]

This woman has FOUND her voice! She has literally never sounded better! She is putting her second chance to use! So proud of her and I'm so thankful she is still here!

[kejonza]

This woman kills vocals and then talks about her squirrels eating from her hand in the same breath, absolute QUEEN

[amberbenally]

Artists be conducting Tiny Desk at Home with whole home concert shenanigans and Demi is just out here with a keyboard and a mic. A Queen.

[eloimorgan]

The fact that she still sings “Tell Me You Love Me” says a lot! She remembers her past and is moving forward 🖤

edit: thanks for the likes...it’s so good to see people appreciating Demi

[educabral]

imagine being their neighbor and just getting free shows like this - I'm jealous

[ShirleyG]

Her vocals are better than ever, y’all better watch out.

[Mrsjazzman]

Okay but that "I love spring time ahh and by the way my squirrels are out here!" in between screaming at the top of her lungs, singing about her deepest sorrow and most painful life experiences
.. I love that woman

[sarahkerchner]

Why is everyone saying she’s never sounded better. She’s always been a killer. Look up her “stay” performance

[nonchalantdewiness]

Can we just take a moment and appreciate that her pianist has been with her for a real long time? He’s awesome 🥰

[freitaselienay]

She better win a Grammy. Enough of this. She deserves this more than any other.

[dylankendall]

When she says she’s happy to be here I can hear it. I can feel it. I can see it.

[Deym]

her runs in this era tho. she is at her peak.