Panda Bear Delivers a Stunning NPR Tiny Desk Debut with Highlights from ‘Sinister Grift’


Panda Bear—aka Noah Lennox—brings his kaleidoscopic world to life with his long-awaited NPR Tiny Desk Concert debut, performing stripped-down yet radiant versions of “Defense” and “Ferry Lady” from his acclaimed new album Sinister Grift, plus a brand-new, unreleased gem titled “Song For Ariel.”
Joined by a dreamlike live band featuring Rivka Ravede (Roland SP-404, vocals), Maria Reis (keys, vocals), Tim Koh (bass), and Tomé Silva (drums), the set is a gorgeous blend of surreal textures and raw intimacy. Lennox’s signature warmth shines through, as he swaps lush studio layers for something more tender and immediate.
Sinister Grift has been hailed as one of Lennox’s finest works to date, earning a Best New Music nod from Pitchfork and high praise from The Needle Drop for its “melodic brilliance and emotional depth.” It’s Panda Bear at his most direct—and most affecting.
Up next, he hits the road for a North American tour, including festival stops at Just Like Heaven in Pasadena and Kilby Court Party in Salt Lake City. This is a new era for Panda Bear, and it’s one worth witnessing in person. Watch below:
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/16/g-s1-58067/panda-bear-tiny-desk-concert?jwsource=cl
SET LIST
- “Ferry Lady”
- “Defense”
- “Song for Ariel”
MUSICIANS
- Noah Lennox: vocals, guitar
- Rivka Ravede: electronics, background vocals
- Tomé Silva: drums, background vocals
- Maria Reis: keys, background vocals
- Tim Koh: bass, background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Robin Hilton
- Director/Editor: Maia Stern
- Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
- Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Grace Raver
- Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
- Production Assistants: Dora Levite, Ashley Pointer
- Tiny Desk Team: Lars Gotrich, Joshua Bryant
- Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins