Nirvana

Nirvana - Live Performance of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' on SNL, 1992

NBC Studios
New York, NY, US

• On January 11, 1992, Nirvana made a significant impact by performing on "Saturday Night Live," which coincided with the peak of their fame following t... Read Full Description >

  On January 11, 1992, Nirvana made a significant impact by performing on "Saturday Night Live," which coincided with the peak of their fame following the release of their groundbreaking album, "Nevermind." "Nevermind," released in September 1991, catapulted the band into global stardom, bringing alternative rock and grunge to mainstream audiences. By the time of this live recording, Nirvana was riding the wave of their immense popularity, and their performance showcased the band’s raw energy and charisma. During the SNL episode, they played "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Territorial Pissings," further solidifying their reputation as a powerful live act. An interesting fact about this performance is that it marked one of their first major television appearances, introducing their music and style to a wider audience, and setting the stage for future iconic live performances.

Nirvana Live at Reading Festival - 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Performance

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, during a pivotal moment in their career, just after the release of their iconic album "N... Read Full Description >

  Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, during a pivotal moment in their career, just after the release of their iconic album "Nevermind." Released in September 1991, "Nevermind" propelled the band to international fame and included the groundbreaking hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which was a defining anthem of the grunge movement. Their performance at Reading was highly anticipated and became famous for the band's high energy and Kurt Cobain's unpredictable stage presence, including the "stage dive" that saw him plunge into the audience. Moreover, this concert was significant as it marked the band's return to the stage following a period of intense public scrutiny and personal challenges. Nirvana’s setlist for this festival includes several tracks from "Nevermind," underscoring the album's impact on both the band and the musical landscape of the early 1990s. This performance solidified their status as one of the era's most influential bands.

Nirvana Performs 'Lithium' Live at Reading Festival 1992

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1992, during their performance at the Reading Festival, Nirvana was enjoying significant acclaim following the release of their groundbreaki... Read Full Description >

  In August 1992, during their performance at the Reading Festival, Nirvana was enjoying significant acclaim following the release of their groundbreaking album "Nevermind," which had come out in September 1991. This album played a pivotal role in bringing alternative rock and grunge music to mainstream audiences, propelled by hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Lithium." The Reading Festival performance marked a high point in their career, showcasing their raw energy and connection with fans, as well as solidifying their status as one of the leading bands of the era. Interestingly, this performance was notable not only for its intensity but also for its portrayal of Kurt Cobain’s struggle with fame and personal demons, which would later become a significant aspect of the band's narrative. The event is remembered as a defining moment in live music history and highlighted the band's powerful presence on stage.

Nirvana - In Bloom Live Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1992, Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival marked a high point in their career following the release of their landmark album "Never... Read Full Description >

  In August 1992, Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival marked a high point in their career following the release of their landmark album "Nevermind," which came out in September 1991. This album propelled the band to unprecedented fame, especially with hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and had firmly established them as leaders of the grunge movement. By the time of the Reading performance, "Nevermind" had already reached multi-platinum status, indicating the band's massive commercial success. Notably, their appearance at Reading was significant not only for its energy and the band's connection with the audience but also because it was one of their first performances since the release of "In Utero" material, which would come out the following year. The Reading set included a mix of fan favorites and showcased their evolving sound, revealing a more raw and direct approach that would define their later works. This performance remains iconic, highlighting Nirvana's status as a c

Nirvana - Tourette's Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• During the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, Nirvana was at a pivotal point in their career, having just released their landmark album "Nevermind" ... Read Full Description >

  During the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, Nirvana was at a pivotal point in their career, having just released their landmark album "Nevermind" in September 1991. This album propelled them into international fame, bringing grunge music to the forefront of the mainstream. By the time of this live recording, they had solidified their status as one of the leading bands of the early 90s. The Reading performance is particularly noteworthy as it showcased the band's raw energy and live presence, also highlighting their more aggressive sound captured in their follow-up album, "In Utero," which would be released in 1993. Notably, this concert was famously characterized by its chaotic atmosphere, including frontman Kurt Cobain's unpredictable antics, exemplifying the band's rebellious spirit at the peak of their influence. The festival marked a defining moment, solidifying their legacy in rock history.

Nirvana - Lounge Act Live Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1992, Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival, a pivotal moment in their career shortly after the release of their groundbreaking album "N... Read Full Description >

  In August 1992, Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival, a pivotal moment in their career shortly after the release of their groundbreaking album "Nevermind." Released in September 1991, "Nevermind" catapulted the band into the mainstream and played a key role in bringing grunge music to a wider audience. The performance captured in "Lounge Act" is notable as it showcased the band's immense popularity and their ability to command a large crowd, with over 60,000 attendees present at Reading. This festival appearance was significant not just for its scale but also for the iconic status it would eventually hold in music history, highlighting the band's energetic live presence and the raw power of their sound. Interestingly, this performance took place only weeks before the band released their third and final studio album, "In Utero," reflecting Nirvana's transitional phase as they navigated fame and artistic expression.

Nirvana - The Money Will Roll Right In (Live Performance at Reading Festival)

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1992, during a pivotal moment in their career, Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival, delivering a legendary live set that further cemen... Read Full Description >

  In August 1992, during a pivotal moment in their career, Nirvana performed at the Reading Festival, delivering a legendary live set that further cemented their status in the grunge movement. At this time, they had recently released their groundbreaking album "Nevermind" in September 1991, which propelled them into international fame and altered the landscape of rock music. The Reading performance occurred shortly after the release of their second studio album, establishing them as major figures in the music scene. Notable for featuring songs from "Nevermind" alongside a mix of covers, including the poignant "The Money Will Roll Right In," the set highlighted the band's raw energy and charisma. The performance is remembered as a defining moment, showcasing their ability to connect with audiences and marking the height of their popularity before the release of their final studio album, "In Utero," in 1993. This live show not only captured the essence of Nirvana's sound but also reflected

Nirvana - 'Come As You Are' Live Performance at Reading Festival 1992

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1992, during their set at the Reading Festival, Nirvana was at a pivotal moment in their career, having recently released their groundbreaki... Read Full Description >

  In August 1992, during their set at the Reading Festival, Nirvana was at a pivotal moment in their career, having recently released their groundbreaking second album, "Nevermind" (1991). This album catapulted the band to global fame, thanks in large part to the success of singles like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come As You Are," which they performed at the festival. The Reading performance is particularly notable as it showcased Nirvana's transition from underground grunge icons to mainstream rock stars. The band's raw energy, coupled with Cobain's compelling lyrics, resonated deeply with the audience, reflecting the cultural impact of the burgeoning grunge movement of the early '90s. Additionally, this performance was momentous as it marked one of the band's first major festival appearances in front of a massive crowd, solidifying their place in music history.

Nirvana - Spank Thru Live Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, came at a pivotal moment in the band's career, shortly after the release of their ic... Read Full Description >

  Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, came at a pivotal moment in the band's career, shortly after the release of their iconic second album, "Nevermind," which had debuted the previous year and catapulted them to global fame. By this time, Nirvana was firmly established as a leading voice of the grunge movement, and their music had resonated deeply with a wide audience. The Reading show was particularly notable as it was one of the band's first major performances after the unexpected success of "Nevermind," and it showcased Kurt Cobain's confrontational yet charismatic stage presence. The set included songs from "Nevermind" and earlier material, such as "Bleach." This performance also highlighted the band's evolution, featuring a raw energy that appealed to both their growing fanbase and skeptics. Fun fact: Cobain famously performed part of the show in a dress, a statement reflecting his defiance against traditional gender norms and expectations within the r

Nirvana - Aneurysm Live Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• Nirvana's live performance of "Aneurysm" at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, came shortly after the release of their groundbreaking second alb... Read Full Description >

  Nirvana's live performance of "Aneurysm" at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, came shortly after the release of their groundbreaking second album, "Nevermind," which had debuted the previous year in September 1991. This album catapulted the band into the mainstream, solidifying their status as key figures in the grunge movement and alternative rock. "Nevermind" featured iconic tracks such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are," which had already garnered immense popularity. By the time of the Reading performance, Nirvana was riding high on their newfound fame, and the set included a mix of tracks from "Nevermind" as well as older songs from their debut album, "Bleach." Notably, the Reading festival show is often remembered for its intense energy and for Kurt Cobain’s charismatic yet troubled stage presence, reflecting the band's complex relationship with fame and their evolving sound during this pivotal moment in their career.

Nirvana - D-7 Live Performance at Reading Festival

Little John's Farm
Reading, England, United Kingdom

• Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, marked a pivotal moment in their career, occurring shortly after the release of thei... Read Full Description >

  Nirvana's performance at the Reading Festival on August 30, 1992, marked a pivotal moment in their career, occurring shortly after the release of their seminal album "Nevermind" in September 1991. By the time of this live recording, Nirvana was riding the wave of immense popularity brought on by the album's success, which catapulted them into mainstream music culture and established them as icons of the grunge movement. This performance is particularly notable for its passionate energy and the complex emotions Kurt Cobain conveyed, showcasing the band's ability to connect with a large audience while facing personal struggles. Additionally, it was during this time that Nirvana began to embrace a more raw, unpredictable live sound, leading to memorable moments like Cobain’s playful antics and the chaotic stage atmosphere, which included a famous mud fight with the audience. This show solidified Nirvana's status not just as a band but as a cultural phenomenon of the early 90s.