Bush always felt like the most stylish version of '90s rock. Sixteen Stone, now celebrating nearly 32 years since its release, captured a sonic shift in motion, with razor-sharp riffs and an air of mystery propelled by Gavin Rossdale's distinctively sexy howl.
But if you think you know "Machinehead," prepare to be surprised by this Tiny Desk arrangement. It's quieter and slower than the revving speed of the original, but thoughtfully weighted — the years of wear and tear give meaning to once nonsensical lyrics like "bleeding through a tourniquet smile." The same goes for "Glycerine," an alt-rock ballad slimmed down to piano and guitar fuzz, underscored by an a capella vocal performance that left the room stunned. The dreamy "Out of This World," from 2001's Golden State, emerges from a rubble of noise and feedback — a deep cut reshaped into something stranger, more attuned to our desperate and disorienting atmosphere.
Bush closes with the title track from I Beat Loneliness, a 2025 album that's worth clocking into if you've missed a certain era of melodically-driven hard rock. Triumphant riffs explode as Rossdale is defiant in his naked vulnerability, buttoning up a moving set that reconsiders and extends the signature sound of Bush.
SET LIST
- "Machinehead"
- "Glycerine"
- "Out of This World"
- "I Beat Loneliness"
MUSICIANS
- Gavin Rossdale: vocals, guitar
- Chris Traynor: guitar
- Corey Britz: bass, background vocals
- Nik Hughes: drums
- Joshy Soul: keys, piano, background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producers: Josh Newell, Lars Gotrich
- Director/Editor: Maia Stern
- Audio Director/Mix: Josh Newell
- Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame
- Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
- Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
- Photographer: Vanessa Castillo
- Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
- Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
Copyright 2026 NPR
