In 2008, Bob Boilen (host of All Songs Considered) and NPR music critic Stephen Thompson went to a Laura Gibson concert. The venue was noisy, and Thompson jokingly suggested that she come to the NPR offices to perform where they could actually hear her. She said yes. They taped it—and a tradition was born.

Since then, more than 1,200 artists—from Chaka Khan to Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, from OK Go to Wet Leg, from Feist to Natalie Merchant, from Nelly Furtado to Megan Thee Stallion, and from Esperanza Spalding to Joshua Redman—have dragged their gear and their bands into what is still very much an office space.

This is a lovely look behind the desk. It’s a geek’s film that captures what it’s like to have three touring bands set up and play in your workplace every week.

The primary audio engineer walks us through the modest but effective technical setup. About 75% to 85% of typical equipment needs can be met in-house, and we get to see the storage room filled with drums, amps, and keyboards. Carara Frame, one of three directors, describes how shows are shot and edited. Josh Bryant explains how he brings big-stage lighting and color standards to a room with an extremely low ceiling.

And then there’s the stuff: an archive of contest winners and classic tapes, albums full of signed Polaroids from artists, set lists, and all kinds of memorabilia and knickknacks tucked behind the desk.

But it’s also a film about artistic passion and creative collaboration. Tiny Desk is powered by a diverse, music-loving team, and every show is a product of shared effort across roles.

The only real star is the set itself—with the process always ongoing as new concerts keep happening, week after week.

Fun and inspiring.

VIDEO: Inside NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Set | Set Tour

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