Top 10 Songs Nirvana Performed Live: Ranking Their Most Legendary Concert Moments

The early 1990s saw the music world transition away from the extravagant partying of previous decades. Odes to excess played by guys with long bleached hair and spandex pants were suddenly out of style, and most '80s bands, aside from outliers such as Guns N' Roses and Bon Jovi, were no longer considered cool or relevant. This vacuum led to a musical revolution and arguably rock's last glorious era. The new trend was called grunge, a mix of punk and heavy metal.

Most emerging grunge bands came from the Seattle area, which is why it's sometimes referred to as "the Seattle sound." While many bands, most notably Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden, emerged from Seattle's grunge scene and eventually gained worldwide popularity, it was Nirvana that stood out and took the mantle of grunge's main ambassadors. Although they were only together for a few short years before frontman Kurt Cobain's tragic demise, they left a permanent mark on the music industry. 

What made Nirvana great as live performers was the very reason why people were drawn to grunge in the first place: they were real. No makeup, no flashy clothes, no complex pyrotechnics, and no backup singers, dancers, or any other unnecessary fluff. They were loud, raw, and unpredictable, even if that meant making mistakes while they played. Their performances were filled with emotion and vulnerability, which attracted the public and created a strong connection with the band. Below are some of the most memorable Nirvana performances in the band's short but eventful career.

Filmed at New York City's Sony Music Studios in late 1993, this performance showed the band in a new light. The huge speakers and high-gain amps were gone, making way for raw talent and emotion. To make things even more unconventional, the band avoided playing their major hits, including "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which was getting massive MTV and radio airplay at that time. Instead, they chose to play lesser-known songs and covers, making this one-off performance truly unique.

Any band's homecoming show is special, and this Halloween night performance was no different. It also came at a special time in the band's history, right after their breakthrough album Nevermind was released before it became a global phenomenon. The album had earned a Gold certification a few days earlier, so it was clear Nirvana was transitioning from underground to mainstream. Charles Cross, Kurt Cobain's biographer, called it "probably the best filmed Nirvana performance."

Nirvana didn't need a full show to make a splash. Their MTV VMAs performance was a microcosm of the band's chaos and glory. Kurt Cobain gave the show's producers a scare by playing the opening chords to "Rape Me," despite their requests to avoid the song, before switching to "Lithium." It also ended with a bang when Cobain and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose almost got into a fight when Cobain's wife, Courtney Love, jokingly asked Axl to be the godfather to their daughter.

Despite Nevermind's huge success, by the fall of 1993, it seemed as though the band had abandoned their raw, unpolished roots for a more "classic rock" sound. This all changed with their next (and final) album, In Utero, which signaled a return to the rougher sound of their early days. The moment that best captures Nirvana's brilliant final period is their Saturday Night Live performance on September 25, 1993, just a few days after their album launch. 

In true punk style and nature, Nirvana refused to play it safe and follow expectations. They showcased this rebellious side during an appearance on the U.K.'s Jonathan Ross Show in 1991. Despite being asked to play their newest single at that time, "Lithium," they played the much grittier and more controversial "Territorial Pissings" instead. The host displayed classic British wit and humor by mentioning that the band was available for children's birthday parties.

This iconic Paris show was part of the band's final European tour. It featured a band at the height of its popularity but marred by internal struggles. Kurt Cobain was slowly losing his battle against addiction, but that didn't stop him and his bandmates from putting on a memorable show. The 6,000 people were treated to a 24-song setlist that included several acoustic performances.

Playing festivals is always a challenge for a band, as they have to win over any part of the crowd not there to see them. Nirvana certainly did it from the second they hit the stage, with Kurt Cobain jokingly entering on a wheelchair and wearing a blonde wig to address rumors concerning his health before launching into an explosive set. 

This Seattle cafe was founded in 1991, just in time to host some of grunge's biggest names, making it an ideal venue for Nirvana to play an intimate show that connected them with the audience in a way that can't be replicated on bigger stages. Venues such as these gave birth to the grunge movement, and this performance showed that Nirvana hadn't forgotten their roots.

This compilation of concert moments was primarily created by Nirvana's bassist, Krist Novoselic, a few years after Kurt Cobain's death, to showcase the band's heavier side. It featured 10 performances spanning from 1989 to 1994 and serves as a great entry point for new fans.

Although not at their best musically or personally, the band's final performances carry significance for fans. The final Nirvana show was on March 1, 1994, in Munich, Germany, in front of a small audience (approximately 3,000 people) and plagued by technical difficulties and Kurt Cobain's bronchitis. His final words onstage were "Well, thank you."

Despite their relatively short time together, Nirvana has left an indelible mark on the rock world. Many bands have cited them as their main influences, and these concert moments make it easy to see why.