Keaton Henson: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- The day before Keaton Henson arrived to play the Tiny Desk, we hosted a group called The No BS! Brass Band, a nearly dozen-piece horn section with an almost brutal (and totally amazing) sound. It was one of the loudest and most thrilling, heart-pounding Tiny Desk sets we've ever had.
Keaton Henson's performance could not have been more unlike the show the day before. When a cozy crowd of curious listeners showed up the next day to see him play, I asked everyone to get as close as they could, without freaking out the admittedly shy singer from London. Don't let the presence of this fantastic recording (by our engineer Kevin Wait) fool you. Henson's voice was so fragile and hushed, if you were 10 feet away you would have barely heard a peep from him.
But what Henson's music lacked in volume, it more than made up for in feeling. If the No BS! Brass Band was one of the boldest Tiny Desk shows, his was among the most moving. As I mentioned back in April, when we introduced a video for his song "You," he has one of the most beautiful, arresting voices I've heard.
Remarkably, Henson has only been playing music for a couple years; he took up the guitar to help heal his broken heart after a failed relationship. He's also a poet and illustrator who's released one graphic novel called Gloaming and is already at work on another.
For this Tiny Desk performance, Henson performed three songs from his new album, Birthdays. --ROBIN HILTON
Set List
"You Don't Know How Lucky You Are"
"Sweetheart What Have You Done To Us"
"You"
Credits
Producers: Denise DeBelius, Robin Hilton; Editor: Parker Miles Blohm; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo
![Keaton Henson - Forts Album [Download Link]](/img/n.gif)
This man is so beyond talented that it is almost unfathomable that he can be so shy that his voice shakes when he speaks, that he hardly speaks at all or that he hardly ever performs live because of it. The people in that room have absolutely been honoured to witness such a gifted musician, I know I feel grateful to have listened to him too.
Keaton is pure genius. I was captivated from the moment I heard him. I stumbled on "Lying to You" & immediately searched out everything I could find on his work. He's one of the best. I connect with his authenticity & rawness, he is so vulnerable and open when he plays. I admire that so much in an artist. Everything he gives to a performance feels so real. His talent is his ability to take you through a range of emotion, his instrumentals speak when he doesn't.
Keaton is simply brilliant. I was fortunate enough to see him a few years ago & I'm so thankful I was able to have the opportunity. It was humbling & beautiful
***** You're just jealous I have the better looking cat. And I only know yours is a cat because I clicked onto your G+ profile to view it up close otherwise it looks like you have a burnt loaf of bread as your avatar.
Dat Swan
That tremble in his voice is likely very deliberate tremolo, not because he's nervous.
Alright Justin. I appreciate it non the less.
of course , just putting it out there
"If you must die sweetheart, die knowing your life was my life's best part" One of the best lines of song lyrics I have ever heard. Heart-wrenching. I have found my newest favorite musician, thank you Tiny Desk!
Completely agree! the most touching song lyrics i have ever heard
❤️❤️❤️
@@gemmajoy398 Thank you for commenting! It's been 2 years and now I get to watch it again :)
Same! That verse broke me instantly 😢 true poetry
A young woman was murdered in Reykjavik Iceland in 2017 named Birna Brjánsdóttir, and this was played at her funeral. It was a song she listened to according to her parents. Huge lyrics.
this and Daughter's performance are, in my opinion, the best tiny desk performances to date. I love watching shy introverted artists perform genuine emotional music.
you need to check out Julien Baker's performance
Check out Leon Bridges
julian baker is one of my favorites if u like personal songs
Yes, Julien Baker is my personal favorite performance
listen to car seat headrest's tiny desk the third song especially is really fricken moving
Still coming back in 2024, ten years later. Keaton's music feels like home.
Je trouve 😊aussi
2025 and still here❤️
jesus, i've never actually heard him speak before... he's even more lovely and endearing than i imagined
Keaton would like you to know he prefers people not to call him by the name Jesus, whilst he is J.C he much prefers keaton. ;)
this guy is so shy, you could see that on the lyrics of his songs, it actually tells a lot about him. thats why he never performed in front of many people, just these kind of tiny acoustic moments.
It's anxiety mostly
journeytobevin i read an artist profile of his which mentions that he suffers from stage fright
Actually I'd seen him in a live concert two years ago in a rather big concert hall. It was really emotional
In one of his songs he sings, “you know that crowds unsettle me.”
Lol he has done huge concert halls in europe
I can't fathom the idea that I'm lucky enough to be alive at the same time as this man. He's so genuinely gifted, and he is a wonderful, beautiful man. earth is so lucky.
Lauren Paterson Tone it down
Lauren Paterson So are we skipping the wine and dine part?
Thank you both for making my day..
I drive a smart car i am the wine and dine wtf
Lauren Paterson was cohort had not seen a good man with an
'What is a poet? An unhappy person who conceals profound anguish in his heart but whose lips are so formed that as sighs and cries pass over them they sound like beautiful music ... And the people crowd around the poet and say to him, "sing again soon" -- in other words, may new sufferings torture your soul, and may your lips continue to be formed as before, because your screams would only alarm us, but the music is charming'.
thisisnotananagram yeah... i think many of us inflict this sort of cruelty upon persons we admire as artists unknowingly
I love this
Kierkegaard
Keaton Henson is about as raw and pure as any artist could be. His music is haunting.
This was definitely not an anagram.
whoever broke his heart, I just want to talk
Listen to Soko - Keaton's Song
It was me, What do you want to talk about?
Maq Wet haha. just in your dreams.
@@serpaxxx just in my dreams?
@@maqwet4643 whyyyyy?
This man ripped my heart out of my chest, and then put it back and ripped it out again.
His speaking voice is just as amazing as his singing voice. He is so sensitive and adorable.
At the end of "You" you can tell how emotional he gets the looks at the crowd and the emotion flees. Poor shy guy.
He feel so much, in the deep, every single word he is singing...and u can see that, touch the feeling..
This guy is amazing. To everyone badmouthing him you must not understand where he's coming from. Keaton suffers from extreme anxiety and stage fright. Not because he's a wuss but because some of these songs are so personal to him that it hurts to share them with others. In response to another comment he is like Van Gogh in that his music is misunderstood. like Van Gogh, he probably doesn't want to share his music for fear that they won't be the same to a different listener.
I've discovered this artist right now, listened to some of his songs and felt in love with 'em... he's just so introvert, and his lyrics are so true... it is so hard to find real artists like him nowadays...
I agree!
I'm a singer myself and this guy made me realize that singing isn't about that fussy uptempo madness all the time . Passion , soulful . Love his music !
This guy seems like a very sweet individual. However, I don't think he is a good artist/musician based off this concert. I was totally unmoved by this performance, because it did seem very hackneyed. Also, just because someone suffers from ailment doesn't make him a good, or even worthy of praise musician. I shouldn't respect him any more as an artist having known he suffers from anxiety. I don't understand your logic.
shurtugal81 Remind me in spirit of Peter Hammill.
beautiful song, it brought to the mind a poem by a spanish poet...
"only pain knows you
as I know you
knows the pain about you
of all I feel
to pronounce your name"
I thought only I knew Mario Alvarez Porro. it is true, it is the same pain... a different pain.
"where silence lives
winter flowers grow
a handful of clouds
a different pain"
Very nice deep poem, who wrote it?
Lisergic Queen Mario Alvarez Porro, a contemporary Spanish poet unknown.
Anthony Delauny thank you for the precious info :) im curious now to find more about him!
i don't know why but i can't see who wrote this hahaha my phone is so bad
I always listen to keaton when I start to get bad again, suffering from bipolar disorder can be dreadful but at least listening to this man can make life a little easier when it's so hard. What an artist.
Sean Craig that's v powerful x
Sean Craig i know how you feel. I also suffer from bipolar and sometimes music is the only thing in my life that makes sense. I'm grateful for this man's music.
Sean Craig Sweetheart whatever you want
you cannot replicate these.. They are in fact the definition of original.... my favorite kind of people.
Left Brained Idiot ❤️
I would love to meet this man and let him know how much his music means to me and how much it's helped me. He looks so fragile and lost all the time and that's just what I am too, but listening to his songs makes me feel stronger because they allow your heart and soul to mend and find peace. That man is working miracles I swear.
Keaton Henson is the soundtrack to my memories
He's so shy, and his music is soulful
I've been listening to fingerpicking musicians a lot in the past couple of years, and I've never heard anything like what he does, his rhythmic-vibrato is phenomenal
I've never seen this vibrato casually running with the changes before - maybe easily overlooked with everything else going on.
Lianne la havas does some interesting fingerpicking with an electric...
a lot of these lyrics are so powerful I feel as though I've just been kicked in the gut. paired with the emotion and fragile beauty of his voice, I'd like to thank him personally for providing the only thing which can really calm me down any more.
hip noodle One day I know we will all be dust, some of will be ash, most of us will be dirt. I know as I brush my hand down the cold bricks as I walk that everything we have ever touched will be nothing. Eventually anyone that ever knew me will be gone, no one will ever think of me again, not a single human will know what I looked like or what I loved or what made me sad. and that....that is so beautiful to me
if i saw him in concert i'd probably sob the whole time? love him tho
i really appreciate his vulnerability and hope he knows how much peace he's bringing to others
I love the community that this channel has, its positivity, and I am proud to be a part of the community with you guys!
Not only is he fucking talented as hell, but damn, that's a nice looking suit he's got. And his hair. I wish I could get my hair to do that.
Don´t bath for a couple of days... For real.
thats a nice turn tho
I wish I could alter my memories, making myself forget Keaton's songs, just to listen to them for the first time again...
MentalzCk that’s what I think with so many artists !
His music is so powerful that every listen feels like the first listen.
@@kodyjames6784 ye but the you from then is not the same you today?
Him: this song is called “you”
Me: OH NO
Why?
God, this is real.
Keaton: hits one singular chord at the start of You
Me: already crying
@@galaxy_mooncat779 because it's raw emotions and it's beautifully sad.
@@benji9469 I know
His voice is so cute when he just talks normal. Eeep!
who could ever break keaton henson's heart
Mel Vona maybe everybody.
Well, its not that you want to but living with a guy that want to focus fully on his carer/art and spend days always in and not do anything else is tough for a normal relationship. People who want to become exceptionally good at something tend to do this and that takes a big toll on any relationship.
SoKo did
I could
Nicolas Alzamora he broke up With her
So solemn and crisp, an intrepid voyage into the tapestry of a broken heart.
^
I was writing a poem and I was wondering if I can use some of it. It is beautiful
Poop Stain Dude, don't. Make something that pops out of your heart and mind.
Keaton Henson is about as raw and pure as any artist could be. His music is haunting.
This is the most beautiful thing I have ever listened to. So many goosebumps.
+Georgia Laurie I agree!
Woah, Manchester Orchestra meets Death Cab meets Brand New's quiet sections. Killer.
Crafted Workshop my first thought was Manchester orchestra
you missed bright eyes. first word he spoke I instantly thought of Connor.
8:35 That shy and insecure little laugh made me smile and start to cry at the same time. He has the prescious soul of a poet.
this man is the physical embodiment of heartbreak. his shaky voice, unsure stature, and lanky and unassuming presence capture an image of heartbreak and melancholy that amazes me. bless him, I hope he heals through this music, as I know it will probably help others do so. I'm in tears, this is so beautiful.
Brandon Szparagowski hope you’re feeling better
I am so glad that Tiny Desk exists so that we can discover through you all these amazing young artists!!!!!!! Well done!!!
I discovered this guy about two days ago and I'm currently in a little world of discovery! Every song I hear just burns me out, it's absolutely beautiful music from a very talented musician.
Oh my god that Telecaster is BEAUTIFUL
1972 Telecaster Thinline with a two-tone sunburst finish. Besides the fact that it looks new, I think the original usually came in a 3-tone finish, so I'm guessing it's the 2012 reissue.
Originals go for around $3500 USD and up, modern reissues I think are around $1200. If I was going to get a hollow-body Tele This is what I'd get.
+Ripoff Artist what's the point of mentioning the 72 one when that's not what he's playing
*****
The name of the guitar he's probably playing is "1972 Telecaster Thinline Reissue."
He could easily afford an original 1972 vintage, so I'm not quite sure why you asked that question.
I have the reissue in seafoam green! It's such a lovely guitar
imax digital i'll get mine next month, the natural colour.. but i'll finish it with glossy coating my self.. 72 thinline ftw ..
Holy crap... This is the first time I've ever listened to this guy. Enamored.
How lucky they were to have been graced by his beautiful voice and lyrics.
In regards to his social anxiety, the fact that he feels uncomfortable about performing live and still did this performance makes this so much more powerful and affecting. I hang onto every note and every sound of his voice. He's real, and he's sensitive, and it takes so much courage to be vulnerable in front of anyone, let alone a room full of people and essentially 2 million people who have watched this video.
The moment I heard his voice on Tidal, I stopped everything I was doing and just listened to him sing "Ontario." I was completely captivated. It's important for us to support people who are beautiful artists but have a challenging time performing due to social anxiety. We need more artists like him in this world. He is a true musician. It's because of the vulnerability of his music that I was captivated. His voice is so genuine and beautiful.
Honestly, the fact that performing is not something that he wants to do due to social anxiety and then he did this --- that's incredible. He did amazing. He was able to be vulnerable in front of millions of people. There is nothing short of amazing about that.
Some bands and singers who have allowed themselves to become products for the music industry can easily perform, but can they be real? No. They're just being and acting in a way to please others and to live up to social expectations.
Keaton is being real in this moment. He's showing us that vulnerability in music is the most beautiful thing that can exist. He inspires me. I can watch him for hours.
fuck this is so good, this man should be more famous for his music.. the lyrics are insane.
Mandi Boo its not about fame. its how you speak through you music and tell the things that are greater than words. greater than what is said. these people play music for passion not fame
She liked his music. Just like the rest of us. Relax and don't feel the need to lecture people. Just dig it like she did. Glad we all heard his music on tiny desk...
One of the most positive youtube comments section.
I really like this person. I mean the way he creats and shares with us. And i think its ok that hes not performing so much or hes not gather 10000 of ppl instead choosing small places or churchs.. its also great to listen to his voice and music in record, because hes music so gentle like wind..and so personal..its difficult to share, to tell the trueth.
I discovered him about four or five years ago on spotify and I became his instant fan. I then read that he almost never does live shows and I hated thinking that I'd never see him perform and, now that I found this on a cold Friday afternoon, it's become one of my most prized discoveries here. Thank you, NPR. And thank you, Keaton, for sharing your incredible music with the world.
His music is like meditation...he is the most underrated composer, lyriscit and singer ever...I hope I can meet him someday...
PURE TALENT,,HUGS,,KEATON...
i saw him live in toronto two nights ago and the emotion he gives off in his songs, let alone live, is amazing. he never forgets to thank the audience or throw a bit of his humour in his performances and it was the best concert ive ever seen.
It's difficult to be brave when you're alone.
After all this time this is still one of my absolute favorites tiny desk..
No one plays pain trough music like Keaton does
God, this man saved my life. I can’t believe him, I just smile every time I hear this song. He’s so strong, and if I could ever meet him, I don’t even know what I’d say to him. Every one of his songs connect with parts in my life. I’m so glad I found his music. I hope he carries on making music because he connects with us all, no matter what the problem. He can just express, that’s a skill many people lack nowadays. I’m so proud of this man.
So accurate... I agree. I was really in a terrible spot when I discovered Keaton 4 years ago, and he really helped me feel less alone as bizarre as it sounds. My favorites are Don't Swim, Oliver Dalston Browning, and Judging Books By Their Covers. Impossible to choose a favorite of course, but those resonate with me the most. I think he's done writing songs(at least for a while), but he's still composing and I enjoyed his most recent album all the same. Such a talented dude.
Holy shit.... That was really amazing.
imax digital thanks
I felt compelled to say thank you to anyone who supports this musician. This is sacred.
I can feel the pureness in his songs
I absolutely adore Keaton Henson and he inspires me to do more creative things despite my anxiety, and to see him preforming makes me really really happy 💙
It's always so incredible to find a performer who can affect me so profoundly, music today has a tendency to stray from such pure emotion. This is easily one of my favorite performances I've heard in awhile.
Real, pure and honest music that´s gotten quite rare
Keaton Henson me ha salvado de la muerte recordándome que no soy el único muerto, es nostálgico pero compartir una tristeza tan profunda con alguien hace que sea mas fácil estar triste y Keaton es esa persona que a pesar de estar coja al caminar por la vida sirve de soporte para muchos mas que aun no sabemos caminar.
so beautiful make me cry everytime i hear his song "you"
Whenever I hear this man making music he stirs up a feeling inside my guts that makes me utterly sad and dystopian and weirdly happy and understood at the same time. If what he feels playing that music is anywhere close to what I feel listening to it... I get why he feels unable to perform live
I've watched this video over and over in the past couple of days. There is something about it that touches the soul. Beautiful music.
It took me a little while to get used to him, but I love Keaton now. Keep it up mr. Henson. Its beautiful. I love the feeling.
He is so sweet and gentle.
Natural and magical.
I feel, feelings.
This man sings with more feeling than most ive ever heard, your a amazing talent & I'm one that will buy your music & follow you , & hopefully one day see you live.
Thanks for the music
Yes!! A deep soul ♡
" if you must work, work to leave some part of you on this earth " how beautiful 💖
What the heck, he makes me cry every time ...
I've adored this man for so many years now, and i don't think i'll ever stop. Keaton has such a fantastic yet fragile voice, and that is what makes it so special. You will forever be one of my favourite artists, Keaton.
Keaton Hensons works always succeeds to make you feel intimate, you feel that you are a part of his small world. The shyest man on earth invited the whole world to be a part of his inner struggles. When you learn about SOKO, listen to the songs again with that in mind, all you can do is weep. You either had a relationship like that or are scared to death that it might happen to yours. Either way, you pretty much are a part of it all...
Thank You Keaton, You Lifesaver...
Ok so I've listened to this 12 times on a loop at work. Nothing short of superb! Thank you NPR, but especially thank you to Mr. Henson for doing what he loves, so well.
Intimate lingering boldness. It is beautiful.
This gets to me man.
This is so beautiful. It must be surreal to see him live
How have I never watched this???? I’ve never heard him speak before, and I can’t handle it. His accent is so sweet, and his voice is so gentle and soft. The people in that room must have felt so honored and in awe that I they were able to be in Keaton’s presence. I love my soft, nervous man.
I am so happy Keaton Henson exists. Almost every time I listen to him I think about how it kind of kills me that I can't tell him "Thank you" for creating the music he does. I am seriously in love with his whole package.
music is mystical as it breaks my heart but fills it at the same time. Keaton Henson plays a huge part of such a phenomenon.
Keaton your music has so much emotion, it shows what a superb artist you are, not many artists can put this into their music, absolutely love this more then people
"You" that song punches me in the heart everytime. Well done. Xo
omg still listening to first song and bringing tears to my eyes!
Small set ups are Common place on youtube. NPR is without doubt one of the best!
I just want him to be happy
oh god his music is even more beautiful live
I love how in depth that sip of water sounds
haha
Riley M As soon as I read your comment, he took that sip of water.
I have been in love with this man for about 7 years already.
He is the most amazing singer ever.
If you actually pay attention, feeling what he is sharing, you can feel your own fingers melting when you're trying to touch these energetic waves; his voice is simply the voice of a pure soul, I seriously love this guy!
How am I only finding out about this genius now? Pure raw talent and so relatable, I've suffered from mental illness most of my life due to being sexually abused from age 5, I find it hard to open up and sometimes I don't even know myself how I feel, because of this, I have so much respect for men who are open with feelings and emotions, huge respect to you ♡
Why do people always feel the need to compare things as though the artist is trying to copy somebody? like "oh sounds like this" "sounds like that" bitch this sounds like keaton henson.
'zactly
Very very well said
Because no music is without influence.
His harmony, words, emotion, these bits of his being strum the strings of my heart and tug at the depths of my soul, the pain of humanity, love lost, found, broken, and abused, are encapsulated in these pieces. beautifully raw.
beautifully inspiring.
I'm so so so happy Keaton did a desk concert, his music is so raw and beautiful- it would be incredible to see him live wow
this man is unbelievable. so much emotion my god.
i really feel keaton in all of his songs, i think we pretty much seem to each other, that's why he gets me in every phrase. the difference between us, is that he has lived much more things than i've lived. he tells that he has been through a lot on his life, and the fact that he sings it, makes me admire him in a lot of different ways. this session is a masterpiece and i will never stop being grateful with you guys for uploading it.
His music is so utterly beautiful. The sounds of his voice and his guitar are just chilling, and once you listen to the words more and more, the songs become so astonishing- I just cannot fathom this man's talent.
This man is brilliant i love his song's ....YOU is my favorite song of his .. There all brilliant..🇨🇮
True lyrics spoke from the heart. You can tell the songs mean a lot to him just by his voice. Awesome job. Thank you for sharing these close to the heart songs.
I somehow love this man as if he's my child, my lover and me in male form all at once. He's my everything, I've never seen a being so achingly, beautifully filled up with melancholy.
he is so perfect, his voice is wonderful. All his songs leave me with tears my eyes. every word he sings has a pain so deep that I just want to help. He is fantastic, a splendid singer, songwriter ...
That blue 'It's sad' sign in the back on the wall just got to me. Such a beautiful man who appears to be holding the sorrows and pain of the world on his frail shoulders. You just look into those eyes and your heart moves for him.
Hold on. Keaton Henson and Andrew Hozier Byrne colab would be the end of my emotions. I weirdly want it to happen. Just imagine. The emotion and hurt they both carry is undescribable. Love them both
You don’t know how lucky you are... to have Keaton Henson perform in front of you live
Este flaco es Excelente músico.
im in tears, his voice is just... wow