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Kurt Cobain Unplugged

This exhibition explored the story behind one of music’s most iconic guitars.

Dates
Ran from 3 June – 18 November 2025
Location
Royal College of Music Museum, London

For the first time in Europe, this exhibition displayed Kurt Cobain’s legendary Martin guitar alongside his famous green cardigan from the MTV Unplugged performance. 

 

About the exhibition

The exhibition, at the Royal College of Music Museum, reunited Kurt Cobain’s guitar with another piece of rock history – his famous olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the MTV Unplugged performance, marking the first time these two legendary items have been displayed together. 

Visitors to the exhibition saw up close Cobain’s rare Martin D-18E guitar, uniquely adapted for his left-handed play, shaping the unmistakeable sound that defined Nirvana’s music. In 2020, it became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, bought for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM. 

Co-curated by Alan di Perna – one of America’s foremost rock journalists, and Royal College of Museum Curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni. 

With thanks to Peter Freedman AM and RØDE for the generous loan of the guitar for this special exhibition.

Discover more

While our temporary exhibition is now closed, you can still visit the RCM Museum and discover 500 years of music making. We’re open Tuesday-Sunday and invite you to visit to learn about the earliest keyboard instrument, the oldest surviving guitar in the world, and the most recognised portrait of Joseph Haydn. 

Why not attend an event too? Hear our extraordinary talented students perform alongside world-class visiting musicians in our annual season of events.

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