In case you missed it - Nirvana’s surviving members reunited on the stage last week, playing four of their classic tracks for the FireAid Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief.
The unannounced performance saw Dave Grohl return to the drumkit, where he was joined by Nirvana bandmates Krist Novoselic on bass and longtime touring guitarist Pat Smear, marking the first time the band has reunited since 2020, when the three performed together for the HEAVEN Benefit Concert.
The Nirvana lads were joined by four different female singers stepping in for the late Kurt Cobain, performing four different Nirvana tunes respectively.
Three-time Grammy winner St. Vincent was up first, performing vocals and guitar for ‘Breed,’ followed by Sonic Youth’s frontwoman Kim Gordon, tackling ‘School.’ Joan Jett was the third singer joining the band, performing the Nirvana fan-favourite ‘Territorial Pissings.’
All three singers notably fronted Nirvana back in 2014 for the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the fourth singer was someone a little closer to Grohl.
To conclude Nirvana’s performance, Violet, Grohl’s 18 year-old daughter took the stage for a rendition of ‘All Apologies,’ with Kim Gordon on bass. Grohl joined his daughter on vocals for the iconic refrain ‘All in all is all we are’ to finish the song, but never addressed the audience.
A little later in the evening, Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage, where their Californication line ‘Cobain can you hear the spheres singing songs off station to station’ hit harder than usual following Nirvana’s performance.
One person wrote on social media, ‘“Cobain can you hear the spheres singing songs off station to station” in Californication made me cry after Nirvana’s performance. So beautiful.’
The Benefit Concert saw a bunch of other artists taking the stage to raise money for both short-term relief efforts and long-term preventative initiatives, including Alanis Morissette, The Black Crowes, No Doubt, Green Day, and way more.
In the days leading up to the concert, it was reported that more than $60 million had already been raised from ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
Although U2 weren't part of the benefit concert line-up, they notably donated $1 million to the cause during the show, which will be worth double that, after LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie promised to match every donation made during the broadcast.
You can have a watch of the whole concert below - and if you like, you can still donate to FireAid.
