Nirvana have never officially reunited since breaking up after the death of Kurt Cobain, but surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear regrouped with guest vocalists Kim Gordon, St. Vincent, Joan Jett, and Lorde to perform at the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center when Nirvana were inducted into the HOF, and then that same lineup (sans Lorde, plus J Mascis and Deer Tick’s John McCauley) took their show over to Brooklyn’s much more intimate Saint Vitus for a surprise late show. They never did it again after that, but last night, at the massive, livestreamed LA wildfires benefit concert FireAid at LA’s Forum, they surprised everyone by doing it once more. Like in 2014, it was Dave, Krist, and Pat with Kim Gordon, St. Vincent, and Joan Jett, and this time they had Dave’s daughter Violet Grohl.
They did different songs this time, and they stuck to Nirvana’s rawer, punkier, more caustic tracks–“Breed” (sung by St. Vincent), “School” (sung by Kim Gordon), and “Territorial Pissings” (sung by Joan Jett)–plus the more sentimental set-closer “All Apologies,” which Violet sang. Needless to say, this was an awesome moment, and you can watch the full set below.
It’s also worth noting that this was Dave Grohl’s first performance of any kind since he announced the birth of a new child that was “born outside of [his] marriage.”
There were many other surprises throughout the night too, like Stephen Stills & Graham Nash reuniting during Dawes’ set, Anderson .Paak bringing out Sheila E. and Dr. Dre, Billie Eilish joining Green Day, and more.