Harry Styles: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

This performance was recorded on February 25, 2020. We will continue releasing Tiny Desk videos of shows that had already been taped. In light of current events, NPR is postponing new live tapings of Tiny Desk Concerts. In the meantime, check out Tiny Desk (home) concerts! They’re recorded by the artists in their home. It’s the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Watch Harry Styles play "Cherry", "Watermelon Sugar", "To Be So Lonely" and "Adore You" at the Tiny Desk.

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March 16, 2020 | Lyndsey McKenna and Marissa Lorusso -- Like many who have graced the Tiny Desk before him, the awkwardness of performing in a working office wasn't lost on Harry Styles. "It just feels like you're in the way," he joked. But when you watch his set from behind Bob Boilen's desk, you'd never suspect any discomfort.

Backed by his touring band, Styles performed several songs from his latest solo album, Fine Line. Between tracks, he talked about the process of writing these songs: From the day off in Nashville that led to "Watermelon Sugar," to the feeling of lovesickness he tried to capture in "Adore You." The camaraderie between the band was clear; and Styles was in on the joy, twirling in his seat between verses.

Styles might not necessarily be the first name that comes to mind when you think of public radio's only working, desk-music-discovery platform. After all, he's got a wildly devoted fanbase that's followed his every move since his One Direction days. In fact, before soundcheck had even started, a crowd of fans had begun to gather outside NPR HQ. They rightly suspected he would be playing a Tiny Desk concert after word got out that the former One Directioner was spotted in D.C. with no tour date on his public schedule.

But beyond the headlines, Styles has proven to be an artist who takes his songcraft and aesthetic seriously, interested in subverting expectations of what a pop star can and should sound like in 2020. That sense of unpretentious creativity is exactly what he brought to his Tiny Desk performance – and it definitely earned him some new adoring public radio fans in the process.

"I have to come into NPR more often," Styles said after he and his band played their first song. "It's nice here."

We — and our massive crowd of colleagues — couldn't agree more.

SET LIST
"Cherry"
"Watermelon Sugar"
"To Be So Lonely"
"Adore You"

MUSICIANS
Harry Styles: vocals, guitar; Sarah Jones: drums, vocals; Mitch Rowland: guitar; Adam Prendergast: bass, vocals; Ny Oh: guitar, vocals; Charlotte Clark: piano, Wurlitzer, guitar, vocals

CREDITS
Producers: Robin Hilton, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Kara Frame, CJ Riculan, Melany Rochester, Morgan Noelle Smith; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Shanti Hands; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Max Posner/NPR

[nprmusic]

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[gabbyh]

"this is about a fish" bless his whole soul

[leahislove]

this man does not know how adorable he really is.

[fatuisokay]

Harry perfectly fits in the tiny desk aesthetic: Hot and messy.

[natalieboonzaier]

The blondy Lady at the back with guitar, her vocals are so amazing!

[graceolivet]

I don't know when or how I became a harry styles stan, it just happened.

[jessplaca]

imagine harry styles pointing to you can saying he’s getting a good vibe from you

[lneal]

His "it's Tuesday right?" Hits different in quarantine

[laurawalker]

Need a new tiny desk concert of Harry’s house songs

[katherinechan]

harry vibing to the band and dancing and spinning in his chair is such a mood

[gilly]

so nice of Sarah and her band to FINALLY do a tiny desk concert

[cal-scot]

You can go on for days about how good these live versions are, and how talented Harry and the band are. However, whoever was running the sound engineering side of things is an absolute wizard. You can hear every little nuance, and little flair by each player so well. Such a balanced recording, a joy to listen to. Y'all engi's don't get enough recognition, props

[eh]

im not saying that harry is the cutest person the world but thats exactly what im saying

[tahirarahman]

This guy can wear anything and never go out of style.

[hersheyyy.x]

Who gave this kid a rotating chair? WELL THANK YOU HE'S PAINFULLY ADORABLE.

[Revenge_sz]

bro you can tell that Harry's presence is so relaxing and so safe.
I started listening to him recently, he has a spectacular talent.

[cherbielicban]

harry at concerts: Very talkative and energatic in a cool way
VS
Harry at interviews: almost doesnt know what to answer

[taina]

so is nobody going to talk about how the girl with the peach-hair is gorgeous !!?

[ecrockett]

not only is harry talented but his band is SO good

[psychicbyinternet]

This acoustic version of these songs is soooo good, I prefer it to the official versions of these songs. These backup musicians are killing it.