More than three decades after the loss of Kurt Cobain, the remaining members of Nirvana stepped back into the spotlight — this time alongside Post Malone — for a thunderous reunion at the star-packed Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary concert. Held at Radio City Music Hall, the night turned into a full-circle moment for rock history.
Introduced by Adam Sandler, who fondly recalled Nirvana’s original SNL appearance during his cast-member days, the group cheekily dubbed “Post Nirvana” — Malone joined by Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear — launched into a blistering version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The performance was raw, loud, and unapologetically faithful to the band’s grunge legacy.
The appearance followed another recent mini-reunion at the FireAid benefit concert, where the surviving members performed under the playful moniker “Hervana.” That set featured powerhouse female vocalists including St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett, and Violet Grohl. It marked their first “Hervana” performance since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their 2018 Cal Jam appearance. Fans may also remember “Sirvana,” their one-off collaboration with Paul McCartney on “Cut Me Some Slack.”
As for Malone, his connection to Nirvana runs deeper than this latest stage moment. During the height of the pandemic, he delivered a full livestream tribute to the band — complete with Travis Barker on drums. That performance is now set to receive its first-ever vinyl release as a Record Store Day exclusive this April.
The SNL 50 concert itself was a celebration stacked with standout performances. Cher, Lady Gaga — who hilariously revived “Dick in a Box” with Andy Samberg before later delivering “Shallow” — and Jack White, who closed out with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” and his own “Seven Nation Army,” all lit up the stage.
There were also unforgettable collaborations: David Byrne teamed up with Robyn, Arcade Fire performed with St. Vincent and friends, Eddie Vedder honored Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, while Bonnie Raitt shared the stage with Chris Martin.
For one night, decades of music history collided — and Nirvana’s spirit once again shook the walls.
