The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Bobby Carter | October 26, 2021
Decked in a hoodie, cargo pants and coveted sneakers, a slimmed-down and clean-shaven Ed Sheeran stands surrounded by bookshelves and a host of world-class musicians. He’s flanked by music director to the stars, Adam Blackstone, who assembled the band and handled bass guitar duties. After opening this Tiny Desk (home) concert with his latest single, “Shivers,” Sheeran introduces himself and proceeds with more hits, new tunes, and a surprise throwback.
The English singer-songwriter may appear acclimated to a live band, but it’s a pretty rare occasion. For more than a decade, Sheeran’s become revered for ripping down stadiums, but usually (and remarkably) it’s just him, a guitar and loop pedals.
The material released so far from his upcoming album, = (out Oct. 29), leans heavily into the ’80s pop sphere and provides glimpses into Sheeran’s personal life during his time away. Here, he debuts “Overpass Graffiti,” an uptempo ode to the endurance of long love. “Visiting Hours” is a heartfelt dedication to his close friend and mentor, Australian record executive Michael Gudinski, who passed away in March.
Although most of the setlist honors =, Sheeran veers momentarily to take us to church with 2014’s “Make It Rain” from the TV show Sons of Anarchy. The choir only takes up a smidgen of physical real estate, but their voices manage to engulf the entire space, propelling the song to another stratosphere. He closes the performance with a quiet storm version of his summer single “Bad Habits.”
SET LIST
* “Shivers”
* “Make It Rain”
* “Overpass Graffiti”
* “Visiting Hours”
* “Bad Habits”
MUSICIANS
* Adam Blackstone: musical director/bass
* Terence Vaughn: keys
* Tim Stewart: guitar
* Clay Sears: guitar
* Brian Frasier-Moore: drums
* Rayfield Holloman: pedal steel guitar
* Whitney Smith: vocals
* Raphael Smith: vocals
* Melissa Best: vocals
* Antia Coach: vocals
* Melany Watson: vocals
* Kyron Elcock: vocals
* Raymond Mason: trombone
* Michael Leonhart: trumpet
* Sam Greenfield: saxophone
CREDITS
* Video: Chadrick Fellers, Jeremy Ivory-Chambers, Porous Porousfreak
* Audio: Tyrell Ace Clark, James Hardy-Martin, Douglas Touré Harris
TINY DESK TEAM
* Producer: Bobby Carter
* Video Producer: Kara Frame
* Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
* Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Maia Stern, Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
* Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
* Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #edsheeran
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0:12 Shivers 3:56 Make It Rain 10:00 Overpass Graffiti 14:25 Visiting Hours 18:35 Bad Habits
Thanks
🤝
Thanks from Brasil 🤟🏾
Cheers!
Thanks. you are the best
Oh my god, what a performance. "Make it rain" is my jam.
Its so amazing live.. Literally recording quality. I've seen him twice
TBH i dont rate his writing/song-creation so much nowadays. I wish he'd played at least one of his 2011-2016 songs. His songs have gotten a bit stale for me in recent years
definitely
omg yesss i also loveee shivers and overpass graffiti !!!
"our jam" haha such a good song
the back-up vocals in "Make it Rain" are absolutely unbelievable. Overall, I can't even tell you a single moment that was anything less than phenomenal.
Word. I frequently stop by to listen to make it rain. Ed is delivering a great performance and the back ground singers are the icing!
It was perfect such that I was thinking maybe it was pre recorded in a studio 😆.
Yeah, back up vocals on this cut put the original song to shame fr.
at 8:26 they explodid god damint... goosebumps in my heart... jesus
Came here to say the same. Amazing performance from back up vocals.
What I love of tiny desk is that you can appreciate the actual talent of the artists without big show lights and dancers etc. This is an enormous display of talent.
What a brilliant performance Ed!! Credits to the background singers on make it rain, that was an incredible performance
absolutely right... they did a brilliant job on the Alicia Keys TDC as well.
They were awesome on that song !
@@janfriedrichs9567 Alicia's TDC was quality 👌🏻
Agree, I first heard them at the end and I was like. "Where's the choir!?"
I recognized them from Alicia Keys TDC!
Ed during “make it rain” is just 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The vocals were beautiful 🎤🎸☔🐻
Gingerbread soul!
Sounds way better than the original disrupted version tbh
My favorite song of his and be barely ever performs it, so when he sung it got excited af😂
Not better than Foy Vance tho
After Make it Rain he nonchalantly says ‘Well that was fun’ That was fun? THAT WAS FUN???!!?! No Ed! That’s was NOT fun, that was earth shatteringly incredible!!!!! That was DEEPLY soulful!!!! That was life confirming and extremely POWERFUL!!!!! The back up singers put so much into it that it moved me like no other I’ve heard in a very long time!
I had literal goosebumps, rewatched that last chorus about 11 times before I let the song finish and all he said was "well, that was fun" um I guess yeah. You're not wrong but it was a bit more than fun Ed.
@jeffffro7674 Amen
So English. He can’t help it.
We sang like this!!! Israel is who we are! This is how He has created us to worship Him
That's the humility of Mr. Sheeran😂
Ed killed it as usual, but why is no one talking about the BAND? They absolutely KILLED that!!
The band was amazing! But TinyDesk is usual on the high performance.
i felt the band was the best thing here! it felt like ed told them how he wanted to do his stuff and left them to do their thing and it was amazing!
This version of Bad Habits is 100 times better than the record version, especially second verse
It’s that half time feel in the chorus in this version that really sets it off I think. A much better groove in my opinion.
Totally agree! Wayyyy better!!!
this second verse makes me think of Omarion's song "Ice box"
@@bricelaw-for5235 you would be correct in thinking that. They definitely are playing icebox
Frrrrr
OK EDWARD!!!! MAKE IT RAIN!
Okay Frederick!!! 😂😂🤣😂
Expecting this to be played at the end of the next HTT 😭
BOL! I swear I felt rain fall...in my basement on that joint! 😆🌧 He's special boooy! And Sir Adam and the band!👏🏿🔥🎸💥
Ansolutelyyyyyy
Not the government name! Lmbo!! Yeah, that performance was so good, you’ve got to thank him with the government name! Great performance Edward Christopher!
Can we also appreciate Adam Blackstone and the band? That was a bass delicacy: from the acoustic to the electric, and from the double bass back to the acoustic. What a jam!
Thanks! I was watching that bass and wondering who the genius was playing it.
@@kraig7777 No worries. I myself as an intermediate bass player really wondered how on earth I didn't know about him!
This live performance of 'Make It Rain' is one of the best live performances I've ever heard. My top 5 !
Those background vocalists in "Make it rain" gave me constant shivers. Best part of this whole performance.
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the performance!
@@RAIIandWhitney You are both absolutely amazing!
@@jasminschiffer9372 thank you.
innit
Jeez he slays "Make It Rain". The rasp he hits invades and vibrates the soul. Nice.
Cool aide - I wanna stay up all night.
This guys voice is literally insane like the raw talent he has is incredible
This version of 'shiver' is ridiculously good. The way they all move together at the same time with some add-libs on the base just add the missing details from the original. Absolutely loved it. They nailed the detail.
Can we take a moment to appreciate the backup singers, their voices complemented Ed Sheeran's beautifully. So much power in those vocals 😍
1111111111111111111
The backup singers are the same which performed with Alicia Key's tiny desk as well, they're amazing!
Yes, applauses to the gorgeous voices in the background!
AND THEY ARE MARRIED!!! SUCH A TALENTED COUPLE!
Makes all the difference
I know soul records don’t sell anymore but god dam Ed sounded his best on make it rain. What an incredible vocal performance.
When Bill Withers passed away, Ed did a tribute on Letterman. Every time I think of it gives me goosebumps still.
literally the only artists whose voice is the same live as in studio version, his vocals are flawless
I know it’s not the same as singing but Eminem is so good live and has such good breath control that he sounds like the studio versions whe you see him perform
Not literally, there's (literally more than) thousands of great artists with this trait, but I'm not hating his voice is amazing
As much as I love Em, it's not the same. Em can for sure make the same "sounds"/"voices" as the studio versions, but he's under different constraints, such as breath, and intensity. He needs a way different version of the songs live, compared to the studio versions. That's why he (as well as many other rap artists) use a 2nd guy to supplement in during live performances. So whilst Ed can maintain this level (and above) on his tours, Em needs someone to add in, because even tho his breath control is pretty insane, it's not at the level required to maintain HIS performance. But who can blame him, man is fkin 50 at this point. Still my goat, dont' get me wrong.@@yourconscience507
Try Guy Sabastian
there are many actualy
To my loyal Tiny Desk fans. The background singers is the same couple that accompanied Alicia Keys on her awesome performance!! They deserve to be acknowledged!!
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the performance!
Great performance.
@@palomaluque3225 thank you
I thought they looked familiar!! Awesome! They harmonize together so well..
they are straight fire frl
I'm still amazed after all these years, how he changes his voice in Make It Rain and how stable he sounds. Never gonna stop falling in love with his art.
I swear it somehow feels like he sounds 10x better now singing that song. It is just unbelievable.
@@HB-ey2dk He sounds better when he sings live, exactly.
Ed Sheehan is just so.. AMAZING!
That acoustic bass and sweet sounding snare on Overpass Graffiti gets me every time.
This version of OG is the absolute best thing Ed has ever done
Sending some love out to those back up singers on Make it Rain! Chills!!!
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the performance!
That's the most British Tiny Desk set I have ever seen
Oh you didn't see Dua Lipa's Tiny Desk 🤗
whats next stadium rock tiny desk
Innit )
Why, because they weren't overweight?
nah. drummer is american.
This bass player has some serious groove. Great performance by all!
Adam blackstone , more than just a bassist hes a musical dirctor 😊
He did the superbowl with all them legends.
I love when they pluck bass strings!
Make it rain is pure gold, underrated song 🥲
The Vocals in this one… did you hear this? Those runs, the belting and the soul in his voice. He is showing of what he can do vocally. Reminds me a bit of back then, when less people knew him and he was perceived more as a singer and performer than the composer and artist he is. Very much effort put into this, as if he wanted to prove a point, when it all starts again now. Still the best one out there…
I *did* notice! Very impressive.
Lol
I miss that Ed Sheeran, but when I listened the version to make it rain in this performance newly I rediscovered why I liked him as a singer, the last album is not of my taste at all but he is so talented though.
we need a Tiny Desk to every Ed Sheeran's album! just give us a full concert to each album, please! LOL
That last make it rain @8:59 baby! The vocals and the way they Harmonized together LIVE was absolutely beautiful
Didn’t even know I was an Ed fan until I saw this. This. Was. Epic. And that band?? Ridiculous amount of talent and passion in that room. Inspirational. Thanks Ed, the incredible band, and NPR for bringing this to the world.
Thank you 💕
What a find...
Now you fan of a great artists.💯. I am also a fan 🌈
I just saw him live in an arena and had the same reaction. 2h show, him alone on stage, recording loops for the beats, the melody, the backing guitar, beatboxing and rapping. This guy is not just another pop singer, he's an actual incredible musician and performer! This band here is excellent as well!
Same here! I knew who he was but I didn't him and his band were so good. And the songs are good too.
This performance of "Make it Rain" is legendary
Yes! And it's such an Ed thing to just say "alright, that was fun" after such an epic performance 😄
this band is sooo good tho!!
OMG......What voices!.. amazing "Make it rain" version.. congrats to Ed and his team
Wow, he has the best live performances. So much control in that voice!
I been waiting for Ed to play tiny desk for so long!
Not his first one thou. But this one is better
@@ZoukFantasticdjerick It is his first ever Tiny desk concert?
Me encanta el saxo y la trompeta le da el toqué a la voz de Ed sheeran
I waited for a royalty cheque for so long. Its so heartbreaking.
@@ZoukFantasticdjerick q q
Huge shout out to Adam Blackstone (bass/musical director), that man is EVERYWHERE!
Indeed bro! He was the first one I noticed not even Ed gahaha
His groove!! 😗🤌🏼
i was listening this on the background and thinking like "this is like timberlake's sound (especially bad habits chorus) than saw him. Great musical director...
メンバー全員から、音楽を愛する気持ちが溢れてる。
6 - 9 musicians, 2 vocals; live. That don’t work together regularly. Ultimate respect to the band members Amazing execution 😳
Ed Sheeran's music is comfort, healing, and everything in between.
And THIS is why Ed needs to tour with a band. OUTSTANDING.
He should use a band just for certain songs. No one wants Bloodstream with a band.
I saw in some documentary that he decided to sing just with the guitar and the loop pedal because he saw a guy in a bar or something, and was so amazing that inspired him to do the same (it's better when he explains it)
@@sofiilopez9158 lol. I think he won’t mind your explanation. Works for some of us lol
Yes....tour w this very band and those crayzee singers!!!🔥🔥
He actually has his own band, as stated in one of his interviews, that he’s moving forward with his music career. There are songs that he will play by himself with a loop pedal but most of the songs from Divide and Equals will include a band. Very neat indeed and he’s come such a long way. Ed is inspirational 🥰👍🏽
There are so many "musicians/singers" who you can so clearly tell they are being pushed/pulled through the process. They know someone or have something and those around them so desperately want them to be a star. When you watch Ed Sheeran you are reminded what raw natural talent is. I'm not saying he hasn't worked hard at his craft but this guy just has it. Amazing.
Ed's phenomenal, accentuatial (not calling them backup singers bc my gawd) singers are next level, not to mention they got the dude involved with JTs 20/20 tour. Pure class, pure musical bliss. This is what real music is.
Hands down one of his best performances ever. YES ED!!
Fun
I was excited that he started with Shivers instead of Bad Habits! Good choice, since Bad Habits is all over the radio right now. Ed is so fantastic live! I've never heard him in-person, but these performances are proof that he excels in settings like this. Well done, Ed! Edit: I also want to add that the backup singers were on FIRE! What powerful vocals! The instrumentalists were amazing, too. Wonderful performances, all around!
Shivers is the current single so it made sense to start with that.
@@MrSitemaster2 Shivers and Bad Habits are both singles that have been playing on the radio (at least on the stations I listen to).
I've seen him live one time and he really is amazing!
He is fantastic live. I've seen him twice and still waiting for the next time he comes by Asia. Bloodstream on the loop pedal transcends your soul to a different realm. Hope you get to watch him soon!
Ed is amazing on recordings but Hearing him live is another level!
Never knew how good Ed Sheeran is! WOW !!! with 57 you never learn out! I believe that this guy will be something like the Rolling Stones, when he is 70 he will still enlighten the world
Those backup harmonies on Stop The Rain gave me goosebumps. Outstanding!. This bass player has some serious groove. Great performance by all!.
It calls make it rain 😅
The band is insane, but the drummer and his kick fills are something else. So precise and groovy.
Ed's voice is the best it's ever sounded
Make It Rain brings back the old Ed vibes
i dont know how i ended up here, but i dont wanna leave! ❤
Same
Everything he does , he does it with 100% of delivery. One of the best Ed
It is rare seeing Ed performs without his guitar. I know he is more comfortable with his guitar on but 'Make it rain' just shows his astonishing vocal strength. He is totally brilliant with or without guitar. ❤️
YASSSSSSSSS !!!!! 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
It’s actually SO satisfying watching how in sync the body movements of the 2 back ground singers are at the end of overpass graffiti
i agree but tbh it is because they are using earbuds, unlike most other tiny desk performances. I wanted to see some low tech raw music.
Visiting Hours breaks me everytime I listen to it
I love how you can feel how talented everyone in that room is. Everyone is putting in a lot of effort and it sounds AMAZING.
Can we appreciate how comfortable he looks without his guitar? He clearly has evolved as an artist.
I was just thinking it must have felt weird, only based on the fact that I would have felt weird without a guitar! Haha. He really did look super comfortable, though.
Be has done this from day one. He's rocked crowds no guitar many times
He has always been like this...
Guess you never saw any "you need me, I don't need you" live performances…
Takin anyway I see him! Forsureheismovingupwardbyleapsandbounds,!!😊
The vocals on make it rain and visiting hours are just out of this world. The whole band is amazing. Thank you Ed for giving us such an amazing album like always
Waoh Make it rain!!!! So much soul in the singing. All the singing. Brilliant!!! And that bassist!!!
My God, that Bad Habits version got me chills. Kudos to the back singers!
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the performance!
Holy cow that performance of Make It Rain was incredible!! The background singers sounded heavenly!! Absolute chills ❤️
What is her name?
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the performance!
Couldn't agree more, my thoughts exactly lol. Amazing! And beautifully song by everyone!
@@wrightfamily1535 thank you!
I just lost my grandma who raised me and was practically my mom. Visiting hours hits home. Thank you for composing this song.
I recently lost my grandma too. She also raised me. :( so sad. I wish you all the best.
That bass player stole the show. Fantastic songs. Fantastic singer. Really good stuff.
2 condenser mics right beside the drum set in “make it rain” and the mix still sounds SPECTACULAR! audio engineers deserve more credit.
I was thinking this - that compression was so tastefully dialled in to bring out the room as well & it makes the kit sound incredible! Less is absolutely more in this instance
I'm confused you mean because there's no bleed from the drums?
@@TheDominicProject it seems to me like they've embraced the "bleed" instead of trying to avoid it, by capturing more of the room. It certainly makes it sound more lively & natural
I was worried he was only gonna do his newer mainstream songs since he started with Shivers, then he said Make it Rain and all my worried disappeared. Amazing performance
Same, I was so glad he played some lesser knowns as they've now become favourites.
It's ed Sheeran everything he does in mainstream
how they move while playing is just brilliant
OMG🔥🔥❤❤❤ED Sheeran is a amazing singer no doubt!!!
Oh my gosh, playing with a band his music is capable of so much more. I sincerely hope he is going to tour with a full band this time. Great arrangement, fantastic backing vocals! Well done, Ed!
Agree! The band brings a great diversity to the songs. Beautiful arrangement.
I agree! Even though I still miss the loop pedal, I think it'd be amazing for "2step"
Thanks for the Love!
It is obvious that he loves singing and music with all his heart
When you can hear a performer "Live" compared to Their Music Video / Studio Tack .... It's a complete NEW LEVEL!!!! It being so RAW! Ed is so gifted beyond words with his Writing / Vocals / Personality Just everything about ED is Magic and it brings so much emotion!!! I so enjoyed this .. Would love to see him Live in Concert Someday!!!
MY SON JUST INTRODUCED ME TO TINY DESK CONCERTS, I'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY. GREAT ARTIST, MUSICIANS, SOUNDS !!!!!!!!
The background singers during Make It Rain snapped! Ed with his hums combined with the singers there WOW that was a moment! I had to pause a few times coz I was like "that was so delicious"
can we all admit that visiting hours is SUCH A GOOD SONG? after losing my dad, it hits different...
yup tears flowing
I like these versions more... 😍 Hands down to the musical director, the band, the backup singers, and especially Ed for always making beautiful music. 💕🎼
I didn’t know that he liked a blues note! It definitely suits him and his voice is so cutting, this guy can sing it all
I love how energetic and fun Overpass Graffiti was!
Glad we finally get Ed's clean version of Make it Rain ☔☔
Ed gret show here keep it going buddy .make it rain great song .
Aaaahhh this is one of the best tiny desk performances!! Ed Sheeran is always a delight to watch!!!
This is my first time hearing this "Make It Rain" song, I swear I'm going to abuse it. I love it and I enjoyed this whole performance.
SAME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a bonus track on multiply. It’s Ed’s cover of his friends song(foy Vance wrote and originally made make it rain)
The song is really beautiful ❤️
My first time hearing it too…WOW-incredible!!
I have always love it. It is weird that song were not that popular back then 🤔
The synergy of this band with Ed is incredible. What a performance. 👏
Make it Rain gave me Shivers! Joking aside… Ed is fabulously superfly and undoubtedly one of the best writer/singer of this generation. Amen
kinda weird at first seeing ed singing without holding a guitar or something but mannnnnn.. his performance of make it rain here is next level goosebumps level for me 🤯🤯😍😍👏🏻👏🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻👌👌👌
Exactly
The vocalists for Make It Rain are so amazing. i have chills
Goosebumps
After performing alone for years it is a whole other level to hear him with a band 😍😍
I can't believe I just watched that for free. An absolutely brilliant performance!!!!
When suddenly you become a Ed Sheeran fan. Thank you for showing us different sides of amazing artists, Tiny Desk.
Somos dos Despues de este tiny desk no puedo dejar de deleitarme con su musica Amo a Sheeran y a todos sus musicos que hacen de este mini concierto un momento sublime
The exact same thing happened to me.. instant respect and appreciation after seeing this!
One of the best Tiny Desk performances ever! Ed's band and voice sounding sharp and tight!
if you can explain what it has to do with Tiny Desk, apart from being on NPR...
@@entidadewolf I agree. It’s at his own studio with his own audio engineer. True tiny desk sound is more cut back and less compression on vocals
Right after shivers I was expecting the normal cheers from the tiny crowd😄, Make it Rain gave me de chills. Bless up. Amazing band🙌
Ed's voice is pure melody!
'Make it rain' is not a tiny desk performance that is for an award show! ❤️
insane arrangement of bad habits ,slays the original mix
YESSSSS 100% agree with this!!!
This is my fav acoustic tiny desk performance. This band coupled with Ed + his voice is out-stunning!
Make it rain Make it rain Make it rain Make it rain❤️❤️❤️❤️
Can we give Adam Black his flowers! Even his energy is infectious. And the band is awesome!
Overpass Graffiti it's amazingggg! Can't wait for Equals to come out so I can listen to the studio version!!! Ed if you're reading this sending love from Uruguay 🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾
Was für ein grandioser Erfolg. Vom Strassenmusiker zum Weltstar. Niemand füllt die Stadien wie er, und sooo schön wenn Alle auf seinen Konzerten mitsingen. Gänsehautmoment.
make it rain, love the grit!!
Make it rain was a perfect song for Sons Of Anarchy, I loved this version!