Metro Chicago

The Seattle, Washington, punk invasion had only begun at the time of Nirvana’s headlining Metro show on October 12, 1991. Kurt Cobain’s voice had reached that optimal gruffness that conveyed both his rage and torment in one muddy musical sucker punch; Dave Grohl had strengthened the uncompromising trio’s strong percussive backbone; and Krist Novoselic anchored it all with full-bodied, sturdy bass lines. The release of the incomprehensibly perfect rock record, Nevermind, had cemented Nirvana’s reputation as a band destined to do much more than merely moving and shaking in the music industry. Their blaring set included pop-teaser “Sliver,” Gen X riff-rally “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and a liberal dash of some unexpected covers. In the median of their career as a band, and at the apex of Cobain’s creativity, the performance was a sonic lament of discontent, confusion and misery with some mind-shattering revelations sprinkled in the mix.

But don’t worry, this incredible show was recorded in full so you can continue to experience Cobain’s tormented genius. Listen here via YouTube.

 Set List (via setlist.fm)

1. Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam (The Vaselines cover)
2. Aneurysm
3. School
4. Floyd the Barber
5. Drain You
6. Smells Like Teen Spirit
7. About a Girl
8. Breed
9. Polly
10. Sliver
11. Pennyroyal Tea
12. Love Buzz (Shocking Blue cover)
13. Lithium
14. Been A Son
15. On a Plain
16. Negative Creep
17. Blew
18. Endless, Nameless