Music

Beyonce Knowles performs during Coachella on April 14, 2018. The singer's performance became the weekend's dominant discussion.

Music & Culture

Whirlwind Weekend: Beyoncé Becomes Coachella, Country Reckons, Rock Hall Steps Up

1:18pm April 16, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

Headlines came fast and furiously over this past weekend, with Coachella kicking off, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame succeeding (and failing) and the ACM Awards falling a little flat.

A still from Media Jeweler's "Hula Hoop" video.

Music & Culture

Math-Rockers Media Jeweler Discover The Key To Success: Hula Hoops

1:00pm April 16, 2018

by Lars Gotrich

Of course there's a hulu hoop artist named Miss Hoopdidoo. She dances to the finger-tapped guitar and crashing bass of the L.A. band's spindly track.

Clockwise from top left: Crys Matthews; MDRN HSTRY; Zmoos & Salous; Lo Pony; Chris Diller; Jeanie Carlin

Music & Culture

Vote: Who's A Good Boy? Favorite Dogs Of The 2018 Tiny Desk Contest

10:00am April 16, 2018

by Cyrena Touros

Calling all animal lovers! While our judges are hard at work picking a winner, we're focused on the furry friends of the Tiny Desk Contest.

The Breeders perform a Tiny Desk Concert on March 7, 2018 (Eslah Attar/NPR).

Music & Culture

The Breeders: Tiny Desk Concert

9:04am April 16, 2018

by Lars Gotrich

The Breeders' dreamy scuzz sounds more wizened and frazzled at the Tiny Desk, featuring the same lineup behind the band's breakout, 1993 album Last Splash.

Beyoncé headlines 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 on Saturday, in Indio, Calif.

Music & Culture

Beyoncé Marks Her Homecoming At Coachella 2018

8:14pm April 15, 2018

by Sidney Madden

With a brigade of over 100 dancers and guest appearances from Destiny's Child, Jay-Z and Solange, Queen Bey kept her headlining Coachella set all in the family — and set the tone for her return.

The members of Orquesta Akokán hail from both Cuba and the U.S., assembled by vocalist and composer José "Pepito" Gómez. They recorded their debut album live to tape in just three days.

Music & Culture

As Cuba Changes, Orquesta Akokán Revives The Golden Age Of Mambo

8:20am April 15, 2018

Producer Jacob Plasse and vocalist José "Pepito" Gómez share how they recorded the band's debut in Havana's legendary Areito Studios and what their team-up symbolizes for Cuban-American relations.

Music & Culture

You Know What, Fine: Taylor Swift Covers Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'

7:54pm April 13, 2018

by Stephen Thompson

Right now, the Earth often can bring to mind an exploding toilet. So go ahead, knock yourself out.

Kelela performing in Los Angeles, Calif. in October 2017

Music & Culture

10 Coachella Performances Worth Watching On YouTube This Weekend

7:50pm April 13, 2018

by Joshua Bote

Yes, Beyoncé, obviously. But we're scheduling alarms to watch these other nine artists, too.

Music & Culture

In 'Heart Tonic,' Caroline Davis Added Influences Of Irregular Heart Rhythms

6:25pm April 13, 2018

by Michelle Mercer

In 2013, jazz composer and alto saxophonist Caroline Davis got some troubling news: Her father had a potentially dangerous condition — arrhythmia. His heart was beating irregularly. Her concern for him lead to a unique, musical response, and a new album.

Queue Listen Now

Laura Veirs' latest album is The Lookout.

Music & Culture

Laura Veirs On World Cafe

3:02pm April 13, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Veirs performs songs from The Lookout, for which she originally wrote over 100 songs, and explains how a set of creative constraints helped her arrive at its gauzy new sound.