A new must-see exhibition is about to make rock history in the heart of London.
From 3 June to 18 November, the Royal College of Music Museum will host Kurt Cobain Unplugged – an intimate exhibition that brings fans face to face with one of the most legendary guitars in music history. Admission is just £5.00, with booking opening on 30 April, and visitors can catch the exhibit Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.
At the centre of this powerful new showcase is Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar, made famous during Nirvana’s haunting MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 – one of the band’s final televised appearances. Left-handed and uniquely modified, the guitar helped shape Nirvana’s unforgettable sound. In 2020, it shattered auction records when it sold for over $6 million, becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold.
For the first time in Europe, this instrument is being publicly displayed – and it’s joined by another iconic piece of Cobain’s legacy: his olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the same performance. Never before seen together, these two artifacts offer a poignant glimpse into a defining moment in rock history.
Curated by Alan di Perna, a leading American rock journalist, and Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, Curator of the Royal College of Music Museum, the exhibition also features rare memorabilia, songwriting insights, and immersive storytelling around Nirvana’s legacy and Kurt Cobain’s creative mind.
Families are also welcome to explore. The exhibition includes interactive activities in the Weston Discovery Centre – from dress-up and design-your-own-guitar stations to a chance to play Nirvana’s songs on Guitar Hero 5.
With the support of Peter Freedman AM (who generously loaned the guitar) and RØDE, this exhibition promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Nirvana fans, music lovers, and anyone intrigued by the power of art to change the world.
Join the waitlist now and be ready when tickets go live on 30 April.
