One of rock music’s most legendary guitars, Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E, will take center stage at the Royal College of Music Museum in London as part of a landmark exhibition titled Kurt Cobain Unplugged. Running from 3 June to 18 November 2025, this will be the first time the iconic instrument has been displayed in the UK.
The exhibition delves into the enduring legacy of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York performance, a milestone in music history. Cobain’s guitar, famously played during the 1993 acoustic session, became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction in 2020 when it was purchased for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM, founder of RØDE Microphones. Freedman has generously loaned the guitar to the museum, fulfilling his vision of supporting performing artists through exhibitions worldwide.
“I am delighted that this exhibition will premiere at the Royal College of Music, bringing Cobain’s guitar to the UK for the first time and inspiring a new generation of musicians,” said Freedman.
Adding to the exhibition’s allure, Cobain’s iconic olive-green mohair cardigan from the MTV Unplugged performance will also be on display, reuniting these two treasured artifacts for the first time. Visitors will also explore a curated collection of Nirvana memorabilia, including original gig posters, collectible vinyl records, and elements from Cobain’s musical equipment.
The exhibition, curated by rock journalist Alan di Perna and Royal College of Music Museum curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, will be accompanied by events, performances, and workshops inspired by Nirvana’s legacy. Tickets go on sale 30 April 2025 for £5, with further details available at www.rcm.ac.uk/kurtcobain.
