Displaying Kurt Cobain's acoustic guitar publicly in the United Kingdom for the very first time
The Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition is set to open at the prestigious Royal College of Music Museum in London from 3 June to 18 November 2025[1][4]. This highly-anticipated event will feature Kurt Cobain’s legendary Martin D-18E guitar, a testament to the iconic MTV Unplugged performance by the grunge band Nirvana[1][2].
The exhibition, curated by rock journalist Alan di Perna and Royal College of Museum Curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, promises to delve into the story behind Cobain's Martin D-18E guitar, its significance in Nirvana's 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, and the band's diverse influences[6].
The Martin D-18E, a rare model and one of the earliest Martins fitted with electric pickups, was modified for Cobain's left-handed playing style[7]. It is noteworthy that this guitar was the last one Cobain ever played, according to Courtney Love[8]. After changing hands in a divorce settlement and an auction, the guitar was purchased for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman[3].
Freedman's intention is to take the guitar on a worldwide exhibition tour to support performing artists[9]. The exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum marks the premiere of this tour.
Accompanying the exhibition, a series of talks will explore Nirvana’s cultural and musical legacy. These include a lecture by author Steve Waksman on 24 September about the value and story of Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar[2]. Additionally, a session on 15 October will analyse the harmonic, rhythmic, and timbral elements of Nirvana’s music by jazz guitar professor Dr Milton Mermikides[2].
The exhibition finale on 18 November features a live concert of new electronic hybrid works by RCM composers inspired by Cobain’s music[2].
Visitors can also expect to see a selection of Nirvana’s memorabilia, including song-writing materials, gig posters, collectible vinyl, and a portion of a soundboard from another guitar of the same series[5].
Tickets for the exhibition can be booked starting on 30 April[4]. For more information and booking details, visit the Royal College of Music’s official channels[2][4].
[1] Exhibition official website [2] Royal College of Music official website [3] Article about the guitar auction [4] BBC News article [5] Article about the exhibition [6] Article about the exhibition curators [7] Article about the guitar's modification [8] Article about the guitar's significance [9] Article about the worldwide tour
The Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition, taking place at the Royal College of Music Museum from 3 June to 18 November 2025, will showcase the legendary Martin D-18E guitar, a crucial piece of pop-culture history associated with the iconic MTV Unplugged performance by Nirvana. Alongside the exhibition, a series of talks, including a lecture by author Steve Waksman and a session by Dr Milton Mermikides, will delve into the cultural and musical legacy of celebrities like Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, drawing connections between their music and other genres like jazz.
