Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses

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- MOPOP Permanent Collection

Included in General Admission

Open now through

September 7, 2025

Included in General Admission

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Included in General Admission

Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses

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Come as You Are

After 14 years at MOPOP, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses is set to close on September 7, 2025, to make way for a future exhibition exploring the myriad music scenes and musicians of the Pacific Northwest across decades and genres. Nirvana and the legacy of grunge have always been at the heart of MOPOP—and that will never change. More to come on our future music exhibition soon!

In late 1991, Nirvana exploded on the national music scene, transforming Seattle and the Pacific Northwest from a faraway backwater to the epicenter of popular music. Their sound set fire to a worldwide grunge movement, and forged a new genre: alternative rock. Today, MOPOP is host to the world’s most extensive Nirvana exhibition, telling the story of the band, their cultural impact, and their legacy amidst rare artifacts, oral histories and an ambient soundtrack by local legend Steve Fisk.

DAVE GROHL AT SEATTLE CENTER, 9-11-92

“Great drummer shots are few and far between. This is one of a handful I took of Grohl, but it displays perfectly his intensity behind the drum kit. He was an anchor for the band.”

- CHARLES PETERSON

Photograph by Charles Peterson

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Soundproof Rooms

Twelve acoustically isolated rooms known as studio pods, contain interactive devices, gear, and traditional instruments. Take a lesson, jam with others in the room, try out vocals, and learn about the art of mixing. Special reverberation technology lets you adjust the sound so it's as big as an amphitheater, or as intimate as a living room.

Trios

Each of the tall semi-enclosed structures on Sound Lab's main floor contains three interactive instruments, including guitar, bass, keyboard or drums. These instruments use sophisticated audio, computer graphics and MIDI to guide you through a variety of learning activities, whether it's learning to play "Louie Louie," or discovering what a 12-bar blues is. You can also choose to forego a lesson to play instruments on your own or with friends and family. Acoustically optimized dividers in each trio let you rock your socks off without disturbing anyone else.

The Big Drum

The heart of Sound Lab, The Big Drum recalls the early rhythms our ancestors played around the fire. You don't need any special skills to play it, other than the ones you'd bring to a conversation. Just listen and answer back.

Audio Technology Interactives

How do guitar players make such different sounds? Can an audio engineer really fix it in the mix? Technology has played a huge role in the creation of the sounds of rock 'n' roll, both behind the scenes in the recording studio and up on the bandstand. Find out more about the recording process, amps, samplers, effects pedals, and microphones.

DJ Hallway

In the hands of a skilled DJ, turntables can produce music that would have been impossible just a few short decades ago. Ever wonder how DJs make that scratching sound or move from one record to the next? Find out in DJ Hallway, situated in the back of Sound Lab.

Jam Studios

Check out the state-of-the-art Jam Studio where you can record your own song using drums, guitars, keyboards, and vocals, then download and share with your friends for free.

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