They may have tried Skid Row, Pen Cap Chew, Ted Ed Fred, and Bliss, but on March 19, 1988, the band took the stage with the name "Nirvana" for the first time.

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of their first performance as Nirvana, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses will finally return to MoPOP March 16!

I’m thrilled to see the world’s most extensive exhibition of Nirvana memorabilia come home to its birthplace. Although it was wonderful to share these amazing artifacts with Brazil for the last nine months, the museum has felt like it was missing a little something special during its trip abroad.

More than 200 rare artifacts, photographs, and oral histories will be housed in the exhibition, including several pieces that are new to the gallery. I’m especially excited to see a few artifacts that capture a specific moment in the band’s history.

The poster, hand drawn and colored by Cobain, for the March 19 show at the Community World Theater in Tacoma, Washington. 

Krist Novoselić’s Hiwatt DR103 bass amplifier head, which he used to record the band’s third album, In Utero, which has only been displayed in Brazil.

The Fender Stratocaster Kurt Cobain played at the UK’s Reading Festival in ’92 (and subsequently smashed at the Morocco Shrine Temple in Jacksonville, Florida) will join the exhibition for the first time.

We'll get to see Dave Grohl’s Tama Rockstar-Pro drum kit, circa 1992, which is one of several Tama kits he used while playing Nirvana.

Are you excited for the triumphant return of one of MoPOP’s most beloved exhibitions? Make sure to join us for the re-opening celebration Friday, March 16!