The Stooges Brass Band got its start when members of two rival high-school marching bands in New Orleans decided to join forces. Today, the group mixes hip-hop, funk and R&B in its live performances.
The Los Angeles band, named after the patron saint of musicians, blends Latin styles such as cumbia, norteño and ranchera. Hear La Santa Cecilia, recorded live from New York City's Webster Hall.
The Malian singer originally moved to France to study acting, and appeared in several films before picking up the guitar and writing her own songs. Hear Fatoumata Diawara, recorded live in concert.
This Los Angeles rock band is about to release one of early 2013's most anticipated albums, Hummingbird. Watch Local Natives showcase several songs from the record during a special KCRW concert.
Ray Chen performs at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Mito Habe-Evans/NPRhide caption
Ray Chen might be the finest current violinist you don't yet know — but you soon will. See this stellar artist perform works by Sarasate and Saint-Saëns in a performance recorded live in New York.
Tori Amos live from (Le) Poisson Rouge.
Ebru Yildiz for NPRhide caption
Twenty years after Little Earthquakes, the groundbreaking artist re-imagines a handpicked collection of songs from her catalog in an orchestral setting.
Of Montreal plays the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on April 6.
NPRhide caption
The Athens, Ga., rock group has built its reputation on wildly theatrical live performances. Watch the band's latest stage spectacle, recorded live from Washington, D.C.
Channy Leaneagh of the Minneapolis-based band Polica, at NPR's SXSW day party in Austin, Texas.
Katy Hayes Luke for NPRhide caption
Newcomers from Minneapolis, Polica arrived in Austin aloft on a boatload of buzz. Their live show mixed two live drummers and the heavily manipulated vocals of singer Channy Leaneagh.
Baltimore's Lower Dens, led by singer/guitarist Jana Hunter, perform at NPR Music's SXSW day party at The Parish in Austin, Texas.
Katie Hayes Luke for NPRhide caption
The Baltimore band, led by Jana Hunter, favors mood over showmanship, but its live show builds intensity out of difficult emotions mixed with washes of guitar noise and wails of feedback.
Sugar Tongue Slim brought a live band along with samples by Gotye and Kavinsky to his set at The Parish in Austin, Texas.
Katie Hayes Luke for NPRhide caption
Wearing paint-splattered shirts, the Venezuelan dance-rock band kicked off NPR Music's day party at The Parish in Austin, Texas with chant-along songs and stage-shaking energy.
Andrew Bird performs a headlining set at Stubb's during SXSW 2012.
Katie Hayes Luke for NPRhide caption
Bird made his lone show at the festival count, holding the stage for one sweet, soaring hour.
The Alabama Shakes' lead singer, Brittany Howard, onstage at NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's Wednesday night.
Katie Hayes Luke for NPRhide caption
