NPR Uses 360-Degree Video To Invite Viewers To Wilco’s ‘Tiny Desk’ Concert

As 360-degree video continues to trend upward, creators are utilizing it forward-thinking ways. Some people are using it to create interactive games. Others are using it to air 500 Simpsons episodes at once. For NPR, the 360-degree format is an opportunity to augment an existing series. The public radio company has released an all-angles video that allows viewers to go behind-the-scenes of a recent Tiny Desk performance featuring the band Wilco.

In Tiny Desk, which has aired for more than 500 episodes, musicians come to the NPR office and perform a few of their songs in front of the company’s employees. The series’ intimate nature is its strongest selling point, and in the 360-degree version, viewers can get closer to the music than ever before. As Wilco sets up their stage and performs a few of their songs, we get to be part of the crowd.

Beyond the 360-degree video, NPR has also posted a regular version of Wilco’s Tiny Desk episode. It can be found alongside other Tiny Desk installments on the NPR Music YouTube channel.