Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance remains one of the most iconic acoustic sessions in rock history. Recorded in New York in November 1993 and broadcast on MTV in December of that year, the performance captured Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear in a stripped-down setting that revealed a more intimate and haunting side of the band.
Rather than simply reworking their biggest hits, Nirvana delivered an unconventional set that mixed familiar songs with deep cuts and covers, creating a performance that was raw, atmospheric, and deeply personal. The session has since become regarded as a defining moment of the band’s career and one of the most memorable performances in the MTV Unplugged series.
Setlist
00:00 — About a Girl
03:17 — Come as You Are
07:22 — Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam
11:40 — Dumb
14:32 — The Man Who Sold the World
18:15 — Pennyroyal Tea
21:42 — Polly
24:54 — On a Plain
29:00 — Plateau
32:18 — Lake of Fire
35:17 — All Apologies
38:57 — Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
With its intimate arrangements, subdued atmosphere, and unforgettable closing performance of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”, Nirvana: MTV Unplugged stands as a landmark in live music television and a lasting portrait of Nirvana at the height of their influence.
