Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert - see photos and video
They played four songs with guest singers
Last updated 31st Jan 2025
Nirvana’s surviving members - drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Novoselic and touring guitarist Pat Smear - surprised fans by reuniting at the FireAid Benefit Concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on Thursday night (30th January).
Raising vital funds for Los Angeles communities ravaged by the wildfires earlier this month, two star-studded benefit concerts took place concurrently at the 17,500-capacity Kia Forum and in front of 18,000 people at the Intuit Dome.
Artists who played the Intuit Dome included Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, Sting and Stevie Wonder, while the more rock-centric Kia Forum gig boasted the likes of Green Day, Alanis Morissette, John Fogerty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Stevie Nicks, P!nk, The Black Crowes and Nirvana.
Completely unannounced, Nirvana shocked attendees when they took to the stage at 10.30pm and tore through a four-song set with female guest vocalists.
St. Vincent took on vocal and guitar duties on ‘Nevermind’ track ‘Breed’, before Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon fronted the band for early Nirvana classic ‘School.’
Rock legend Joan Jett then joined Nirvana to tear through the gloriously heavy ‘Territorial Pissings.’
The 15-minute Nirvana set was Dave Grohl’s first public performance since he admitted to fathering a child outside of his marriage, and, notably, the performance ended with his daughter Violet Grohl singing on an ‘Unplugged’ version of ‘All Apologies’.
The final track also saw Krist Novoselic play accordion with Kim Gordon returning to the stage on bass.
Joan Jett, Kim Gordon and St. Vincent previously shared the stage with Nirvana at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April 2014 where they sang ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, ‘Aneurysm’ and ‘Lithium’ respectively. New Zealand singer Lorde guested on ‘All Apologies.’
PHOTOS - Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert:
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Dave Grohl on stage with Nirvana
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Pat Smear and Dave Grohl
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Violet and Dave Grohl
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
St. Vincent and Krist Novoselic
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Kim Gordon and Krist Novoselic
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Nirvana with St. Vincent
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Pat Smear and St. Vincent
Nirvana reunite at FireAid Benefit Concert
Nirvana's Pat Smear, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic with Joan Jett
Nirvana's setlist at the FireAid Benefit Concert at Kia Forum:
Breed (with St. Vincent)
School (with Kim Gordon)
Territorial Pissings (with Joan Jett)
All Apologies (with Violet Grohl and Kim Gordon)
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