WILLOW: Tiny Desk Concert

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Ashley Pointer | May 1, 2024
On a call ahead of her Tiny Desk taping, WILLOW told me that she “just wants to feel it and be in the vibe.” Many artists worry about having to tailor their music for the space, but if done right, a beautiful synergy can be achieved. With boundless energy and magnetic stage presence, the artist’s exceptional vocal range and musicality left the audience spellbound.

Despite being only 23 years old, the singer-songwriter and musician Willow Smith is a vet when it comes to this music thing. She’s been consistently making music and on a journey of sonic exploration since she was just 9 years old and is about to put out her sixth album, empathogen, in just a few days. Zach Tenorio on upright piano kicks off the show, cueing the first few bars of the jazz-infused, odd-meter vibes of “Symptom of Life” from the new album, later complimented by trippy Ebow effects courtesy of Liso Lee on guitar.

Then, a couple throwbacks: a stripped down arrangement of “Split” from the 2022 album and fan-favorite “Wait a Minute!” from her 2015 album ARDIPITHECUS, which undergoes some mind-blowing bass riffing from Mohini Dey. Dey continues with some severe stank-face on a world premiere of the funky, bass-heavy “Run!” from the upcoming album, locking in tastefully with The Pocket Queen on drums. Closing the set with “Big Feelings,” the band gets busy while WILLOW’s vocals soar, effortlessly teetering between emotive highs and lows, leaving us all wanting more.

SET LIST
“Symptom of Life”
“Split”
“Wait a Minute!”
“Run!”
“Big Feelings”

MUSICIANS
Willow Smith: vocals
Liso Lee: guitar, vocals
Zach Tenorio: keys
Mohini Dey: bass
Taylor “The Pocket Queen” Gordon: drums

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Ashley Pointer, Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#willow #tinydesk #nprmusic

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42 thoughts on “WILLOW: Tiny Desk Concert”

  8. Well I found myself pleasantly surprised by Willows vocals, her range and how she was present with each inflection you couldn't help but go along for the ride. Then I found myself at different moments pulled into each of the musicians equally as much at moments even more as they and their instruments carried her all the whole. Yet I leave feeling the same as every other time I encounter her, is she so into herself that she can't even be bothered to take a moment after let's say the second song to be bothered to introduce us to her wonderful band members. I waited.. 3 then 4 till wow 5 whole songs and nope not once did an introduction of them seem to cross her mind. This was their moment too and I'd have liked to have heard their names. Most artists do this naturally, but alas… Not her 🫤

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  11. Really? 3 then 4 even 5 songs and not once did it ever seem to cross her mind to introduce us to the Instrumentalists that were carrying her I do admit beautiful vocals? Really? This is a big moment for them also. Just rubs me the wrong way and its actions (or lack thereof) like this that leave me with this ugh feeling whenever i attempt to enjoy Willows anything🫤

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  13. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING! REPENT! WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME! We are living in evil times. Get to know the truth for yourself and develop a personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.

    "Listen!" says Jesus. "I Am Coming Soon! I will bring MY Rewards with ME, to give to each one according to what he has done. – Revelation 22:12

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