Sarah McLachlan marked her debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk series by delivering a soulful performance of her classic hits on acoustic guitar and piano. Kicking off the set with her renowned track “Building a Mystery,” McLachlan imbued the song with a country/folk twist through her acoustic rendition.
Expressing gratitude to the audience, McLachlan introduced her bandmates, Luke Doucet on guitar and Melissa McClelland on bass, both of whom also form the well-known rock duo Whitehorse. Describing them as longtime collaborators, McLachlan expressed joy at their presence and shared her plan to present a mix of old and new songs, leading into the heartfelt ballad “Reminds Me.”
Reflecting on her lockdown experience, McLachlan mentioned delving into the TV series “Yellowstone” and being inspired by its country and cowboy music themes. She revealed that she was moved to craft a love song for her partner’s birthday, humorously acknowledging the potential for setting high expectations for future romantic gestures.
Transitioning to the piano, McLachlan performed “Only Human” and “Adia” before concluding her set with a poignant rendition of “Angel,” captivating the audience with her emotive delivery.