As a fan of the defunct US Rock band Nirvana, everything about the band and its members fascinates me in a different way. Sitting in a speeding car from Brunssum on my way to Hoensbroek, South of the Netherlands, its quite understandable that I was going to break my neck stretching to see the little advertising board by the side of the road, was able to make out what it was as it flew by, identifying the iconic ‘NIRVANA’ font advertising a Tribute Show and it turned out to be a few hours from when I saw it and not so far away from where I stay. My host and friend, Hilde Jetten thought it would be a great idea to to attend.
Since the unfortunate passing of its lead vocalist and Guitarist, Kurt Cobain in April of 1994 and the Band already crumbling shortly before. Its been a soaring success for Nirvana over the years. Dave Grohl , the Drummer is carrying on with the spirit of Grunge, his band, The Foo Fighters have been hugely successful at it. Krist Novoselic , the Bassist moved on to a private life and is tinkering with Politics these days. Not forgetting Pat Smear another Guitarist who joined them much later.
Nirvana has gone from just a band of boys in their parents basement in Aberdeen, Seattle to a Worldwide phenomenon, Movement and the voice of a generation to the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as it was inducted in 2014.
As it was, I found myself at the concert venue, a comfortable Bar with a Stage and a Dance-floor on the side.
The Nirvana Tribute Concert, by a cover band called Nervana was a fantastic show in my opinion, the voicing and wailings were accurate. Tracks like Lithium, Sliver, Rape Me, Even In His Youth, About A Girl and many more were perfectly and also creatively rendered. Even the group leader looked a lot like Kurt Cobain resurrected, dude even plays the guitar on the left hand, that I find super rad. The atmosphere was electrifying and of course ear banging loud as fans dance away.
Met with a group of loving, happy people, we were all singing to the lyrics and enjoying every moment with our NERVANA blasting songs from ‘those years’..
I could guess many of the Nirvana Fans around me are in their late 30s and 40s. It then hit me like a train that those of us that smelled the Teen- spirit as teenagers and a little above in the early/mid 90s are getting old. I am sure we are beginning to sound like our parents always loving their 1960s/70 music and telling us that music died long ago with their generation.
Enjoy the short video below. (Ps note: Its loud)
-Bolaji Alonge (Nov 2016)
Bolaji Alonge is an Artiste, International Photographer and Blogger from Lagos, Nigeria who has been traveling the world for the most parts of the last decade documenting exotic cultures, participating in experiences, Tourism, Networking, exchange of ideas and information that sometimes books and the internet do not offer. The aim is to document history, telling the African story from the African eyes using Photography predominantly and also bringing the world to Africa.
He conducted a successful Photo Exhibition themed, “Eyes Of A Lagos Boy”at the prestigious Freedom Park, (A former Colonial Prison) in Lagos in May 2017.
Photos By ARL for awefirm.org
Awefirm © 2016 . All Rights Reserved.
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Reblogged this on Eyes of A Lagos Boy and commented:
‘I could guess many of the Nirvana Fans around me are in their late 30s and 40s. It then hit me like a train that those of us that smelled the Teen- spirit as teenagers and a little above in the early/mid 90s are getting old..’