David Byrne & Band Transform NPR’s Tiny Desk Into Vibrant Stage for Career-Spanning Performance
WASHINGTON, D.C.- December 1, 2025 – David Byrne brought his innovative stagecraft to an unlikely venue today: NPR’s Tiny Desk. The performance, released this morning, showcases Byrne and a 14-member band squeezing behind the iconic desk to deliver a dynamic set featuring tracks from his latest album, Who Is The Sky?, alongside Talking Heads classics.
Byrne, known for elaborate live shows incorporating sprawling casts, choreography, and unique instrumentation, adapted his current tour’s minimalist design – bare stages, wireless instruments, and band members in matching blue suits – to the Tiny Desk’s roughly 10 by 11-foot space.The result was a “cozy” but energetic performance, according to NPR Music.
The setlist opened with the euphoric “Everybody Laughs” and “Don’t Be Like That” from Who Is The Sky?,followed by Talking Heads’ “(Nothing But) Flowers” (from 1988’s Naked) and a powerful rendition of “Life During Wartime” (from 1979’s Fear of Music).
The performance featured a diverse ensemble of musicians: David Byrne on vocals and guitar, Mauro Refosco on percussion and as music director, Ray Suen on guitar, bass, and violin (also a music director), Kely Pinheiro on bass and cello, Daniel Mintseris on keys, Stephane San Juan on drums, Tim Keiper and Yuri Yamashita on percussion and marimba, and vocalists Tendayi Kuuma, Sasha Rivero, Hannah Straney, and Sean Donovan, alongside Jordan Dobson on saxophone and background vocals.
Following the concert, Byrne reportedly rented a bicycle for a ride through Washington D.C. on a fall afternoon.
The Tiny Desk Concert was produced by Robin Hilton, directed and edited by Maia Stern, and featured audio technical direction by Josh Newell. Bobby Carter served as host and series producer.
