March 13, 2025

by Maia Stern

Watch the latest Tiny Desk concerts on NPR.org.

Sofia Seidel/NPR

Stephan Jenkins told me that he regularly watches Tiny Desk concerts, so when it came time for Third Eye Blind to play one of its own, the band took the opportunity seriously. Leading up to the show, Third Eye Blind played a handful of mellow gigs at smaller venues, stripping down its arrangements, blocking the stage with the same dimensions and leaning into the challenges and limitations of the Tiny Desk.

This set starts at the beginning. “Slow Motion” and “Motorcycle Drive By” are early Third Eye Blind tracks; they may not have the name recognition as some of the band’s bigger hits, but those who know really know. “Dust Storm” was one of the first songs that Jenkins and guitarist Kryz Reid co-wrote during the pandemic. Jenkins also introduces “Like a Lullaby,” officially released today, as a brand new song that the band has never played before.

For the last song, Jenkins requests some help from the audience. “Jumper” has so much emotional weight, so when multiple voices belt out, “I would understand,” there’s a real sense of togetherness in the room — a sweet moment that adds to the many reasons why I’ve loved this band for so long.

Watch Third Eye Blind's Tiny Desk Concert

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The Latest Tiny Desks

.idk & Sector 202: With a wide range of talents and influences, the rapper's music reflects a broad range of his life experiences.
Megan Moroney: The self-proclaimed Emo Cowgirl blends classic country with earworm pop and confessional storytelling.
Saya Gray: The rising star offers light and soulful interpretations of her experimental pop songs at the Tiny Desk.
Abel Selaocoe: The versatile artist offers his singular blend of global, jazz and classical sounds, pushing both his cello and his voice into uncharted territory.
Marvin Sapp: The Bishop transforms our office into a sanctuary, performing an 11-song medley of gospel hits across his career.

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Around Public Radio

KUTX in Austin featured Soccer Mommy performing music off of their recent album, Evergreen.
WXPN in Philly hosted tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar for a performance and interview with World Cafe host Kallao.
From The Top welcomes Hanbo Xu to discuss and perform Stravinsky’s Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet.
KCRW in Los Angeles featured British jazz band Cymande, celebrating their new album, Renascence, after a 10-year hiatus.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Minnesota’s The Current is opening the vault and sharing some unreleased live sessions. Watch The xx perform three songs from their genre-expansive album, I See You.

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