NPR's Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour has announced the 20 local artists who will serve as opening acts across its 10-city summer schedule, celebrating the Contest community and local music scenes. A significant announcement includes 2024 winner The Philharmonik joining as a surprise headliner for the San Francisco show, performing alongside Cure For Paranoia.
The West Coast leg features diverse talent, with Los Angeles welcoming Jacquie Lee, known for her vocal range, and finalist Noa Bar, praised for her looping skills. In San Francisco, August Lee Stevens, a familiar face in the Bay Area jazz scene, and Griot B, an emcee and educator, will open. Seattle will host Anna Justen, whose entry was shot on FaceTime, and King Youngblood ft. Cyril and Omari Neville, who filmed their entry in a tour van.
Moving eastward, Austin, Texas, will see Cure For Paranoia play a home state show with botanical indie rockers Late Wife and Cuban guitarist Charly Siaba. Denver's lineup includes finalist Lauren Frihauf and the R&B group DOGTAGS. Chicago will feature rapper Lamis and the spoken-word, trombone-focused jazz group Tromblau & Friends, while Minneapolis welcomes Sadie Gustafson-Zook and Riley & The Urban Revival, whose entries resonated with themes of community and perseverance.
The East Coast shows will begin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with folk group Cloudbelly and Berklee student Ella Faye. Brooklyn, New York, will host Lily Talmers, who took her entry on the road, and Tiril Jackson, a Top Shelf regular. The tour concludes in Washington D.C. with pop rockers ViRG and finalist Les Green. The 2026 Tiny Desk Contest is sponsored by Capitol One and supported by Rivian, and tickets are available for many of these performances.