A particular Nirvana exhibition has been introduced at London’s Royal Faculty of Music Museum this summer time. It is trying like one of many unmissable showcases of 2025 – particularly in the event you’re a grunge fan.
The long-lasting guitar Kurt Cobain utilized in Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged efficiency is about to characteristic in an upcoming London exhibition titled ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’.
The well-known acoustic set was recorded in November 1993, 5 months earlier than Cobain’s demise. It was launched as an album in 1994 and earned Nirvana their solely Grammy.
Now, the Martin D-18E that the late musician performed throughout legendary efficiency will likely be accessible to view as a part of a landmark exhibition that delves into the legacy of the gig.
It marks the primary time the uncommon instrument, which grew to become the costliest guitar bought at public sale in 2020, has been displayed within the UK.
“After I bought this guitar, my intention was to have it start a worldwide tour of exhibitions, to assist performing artists,” shares Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM, who purchased the instrument for over $6 million (approx. €5.5m) in 2020. “I’m delighted that this intent will likely be premiered on the Royal Faculty of Music, London, with the primary exhibition of its variety and can assist proficient musicians worldwide.”
The exhibition is curated by rock journalist Alan di Perna and curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni and can run on the Royal Faculty of Music Museum in London.
“I’m delighted to be part of the Royal Faculty of Music Museum’s first-ever rock music exhibition,’ shares Alan di Perna. “MTV’s Nirvana Unplugged in New York was a landmark occasion – a stand-out efficiency by a bunch that modified the course of rock historical past within the Nineteen Nineties.”
In our Album Anniversaries sequence – because the album turned 30 final yr – we mentioned: “30 years after its launch, it stands alongside Duke Ellington’s ‘Ellington at Newport’, Aretha Franklin’s ‘Aretha Dwell at Fillmore West’, Invoice Withers’ ‘Dwell at Carnegie Corridor’, Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Köln Live performance’ and Speaking Heads’ ‘Cease Making Sense’ as one of many biggest dwell albums ever recorded.”
Additionally that includes within the exhibition – which opens on 3 June and lasts till 18 November 2025 – is the olive-green mohair cardigan Cobain wore throughout the set, making this the primary time ever these two gadgets will likely be displayed collectively.
The well-known cardigan was bought at public sale for $334,000 (approx. €308,000) in 2019.
There may also be a curated assortment of Nirvana memorabilia, together with unique gig posters, collectible vinyl information, and items from Cobain’s personal musical gear assortment.
Final yr, Seattle’s Museum of Pop Tradition confronted criticism for a Nirvana exhibition that claims Kurt Cobain “un-alived himself.”
The time period “un-alived” originated on TikTok, with a purpose to circumvent censorship from algorithms, which ban customers for phrases like “suicide.” Nevertheless, that language manifested IRL within the exhibit, stating that Cobain didn’t die by suicide on 4 April 1994 on the age of 27 however “un-alived himself at 27.”
Many drew comparisons to George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” – during which everybody talks in “Newspeak”.
Tickets for ‘Kurt Cobain Unplugged’ in London go on sale on 30 April. The exhibition takes place from 3 June till 18 November 2025.
