NPR

Public Radio Stations' Best Live Sessions of 2022

In 2022, stations returned to having busy years producing live music sessions.
Source: WXPN

Across the country, public radio stations (thankfully) opened their doors again in 2022 and had a busy year producing some great live music sessions. Here are the best of the bunch, featuring studio performances, home recordings and socially-distanced outdoor sets.


Big Freedia with Tank & the Bangas, World Cafe At Home Session

Big Freedia has built an enduring body of work as a recording artist, stage performer and New Orleans bounce's worldwide ambassador. Over the past 20 years, Big Freedia's career has included wide-ranging collaborations, including artists such as Beyoncé, Drake and Sia. In this session, Freedia performed live with Tiny Desk Contest winners Tank and the Bangas for a World Cafe session with host Raina Douris. –Rich McKie, WXPN


Jamaaladeen Tacuma, "The Battle

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readInternational Relations
Newly Elected Prime Minister In Solomon Islands Is Likely To Keep Close China Ties
Solomon Islands lawmakers elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister Thursday in a development that suggests the South Pacific island nation will maintain close ties with China.
NPR5 min readWorld
Violence Erupts At UCLA As Protests Over Israel's War In Gaza Escalate Across The U.S.
Members of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups in Los Angeles clashed, with reports of fireworks and pepper spray use. Elsewhere, universities are tearing down encampments and arresting students.
NPR4 min read
The Announcement Of A New Prime Minister Divides Haiti's Transitional Council
A surprise announcement that revealed Haiti's new prime minister is threatening to fracture a recently installed transitional council tasked with choosing new leaders for the gang-riddled country.

Related Books & Audiobooks