Hear Audio of a Recently Discovered Acoustic Nirvana Set from 1991

On December 1st, 1991 Nirvana was rumored to have performed an acoustic set under the ever so slick stage moniker “Tween Spirit” to twenty fans in an Edinburgh pub called Southern Bar. Now, exactly twenty six laters, a ten minute clip has been released proving this amazing feat did occur after all. LiveNirvana, in partnership with Sterogum, has released the audio clip in which the late frontman Kurt Cobain, and drummer Dave Grohl play several songs. Cobain plays the guitar and sings along as Grohl takes up the bass. According to Rolling Stone, the band’s usual guitarist, Kris Novoselic, was in attendance but did not perform.

The two other members performed “Dumb,” “Polly,” “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam,” and a cover of Shonen Knife’s song “Twist Barbie,” in order to raise money for a Scottish children’s hospital. The clip includes the full recordings of the first two songs and half of the third, but is missing the final cover.

At the time of the performance, the group had just been exposed to stardom. Roughly three months before the performance, the group released their second album (first album that Grohl was a part of) titled Nevermind. The album was a breakthrough success with major hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” In Bloom,” “Come As You Are,” and “Lithium.” The group was quickly catapulted to the stars of rock gods and because the punk heroes of their generation. The recording captures the early quirks and charms of the two band members, as well as showcasing the splendor of the deep cuts.