UNPLUGGED: NIRVANA REIMAGINED // Photo – Nathan Bullivant

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It takes a lot of chutzpah to tackle one of the greatest bands that ever were, led by the figurehead of an entire generation. And wildly, the Perth Symphony Orchestra and Justin Burford’s Unplugged: Nirvana Reimagined worked, rather spectacularly at challenging our preconceived ideas of an iconic performance to offer something fresh and colourful.

On the 18th November 1993 Nirvana taped a single-take acoustic performance in New York City for the MTV Unplugged series. With only a few days rehearsal, issues regarding the songlist and more troubling Cobain going through withdrawal the performance would go on to become a classic, and massive hit when the subsequent record was released the following year several months after Cobain’s suicide.

The love for this band was still apparent as a close to sold out crowd filled Her Majesty’s Theatre, a venue more used to the ballet and opera crowd. The stage setting that was so integral to the original performance was recreated with a sumptuous number of white lilies adorning the front with the orchestra positioned along the full length of the stage. The concert was prefaced with contextual information about the original taping before Burford came out to take position on a stool to begin the night.

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UNPLUGGED: NIRVANA REIMAGINED // Photo – Nathan Bullivant

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As the first strains of ‘About A Girl’ filled the room Burford made it clear he is a worthy artist to deliver Cobain’s material. Burford, of indie-pop band End Of Fashion, delivered a very worthy homage to his hero in appearance, mannerism, and vocally.

This was not a show about the mimicking a performance yet it was slightly jarring to hear songs like ‘Come As You Are’ and ‘Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam’ reinterpreted with an orchestra. The renditions were peculiar but at the same time inviting; an almost cheeky rebuke to convention, which is exactly who Cobain was.

Arranger Ash Gibson Greig has deftly broke apart the acoustic approach whilst remaining sympathetic to the original arrangement. It’s easy to forget the dry wit and humour of Cobain but Burford managed to channel the singer as he transitioned with ease between songs with quirky asides that were important nuances of the original performance.

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UNPLUGGED: NIRVANA REIMAGINED // Photo – Nathan Bullivant

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Conducted by Jessica Gethin, the orchestra’s playfulness were a fitting match notable on the more left of field songs ‘Plateau’ and ‘Lake of Fire’. Without the guitars, it gave the orchestra an opportunity to bring forth different tonal elements of the song, adding layers to Burford’s itchy, glum voice. Stand out song ‘Polly’ embraced the dangerous current of the original, with the stage drenched in red light as both orchestra and Burford melded together beautifully. Later, ‘Something In The Way’ gave even more gravitas to the night with its yearning horns and Burford’s quiet delivery.

The songs were treated with the pathos they required as demonstrated with the mournful ‘All Apologies’ and the tragic ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’. It’s a very high bar to meet when these songs are so wrapped up in the consciousness of a generation but with enough unique flourishes the renditions become their own beasts.

Coming back out for an encore the tone shifted notably to one of celebration as the more pop driven ‘In Bloom’ and ‘Lithium’s sprightly pace had one wondering if it was appropriate to give head bang at the Maj. Of course ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ fittingly ended the night although they could’ve done away with the cheerleaders with their cheesy grins. The audience’s final rapturous applause at the end suggested that maybe rules, even ones by grunge idols, are meant to be broken.

3.5 stars

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