Live performances just aren’t the same as they were in the 90s. And we’re particularly fond of these four still-very-much-loved live music performances that kicked off in the 90s. If it’s your first time experiencing video footage of these killer sets, we’re very jealous of you.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Nirvana, ‘MTV Unplugged’ (1993)
This wouldn’t be a list of the best 90s live performances without mentioning Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged set from 1993 from the get-go. For a band so dependent on fuzzy electric guitars and ample distortion for their classic grunge sound, they did an amazing job as a stripped-down acoustic act. The whole of this set (and the accompanying album) is essential listening.
2. Woodstock (1994)
Often dubbed as “Mudstock”, this was the last decent Woodstock event before things went terribly wrong in 1999. It was a wet, muddy wonderland that felt like a true throwback to the legendary festival that first kicked off in 1969.
Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Santana, and The Allman Brothers Band all performed at Woodstock 1994, among many others. There was plenty of chaos, though. Three people did die. Can’t leave that unfortunate fact out.
3. Pearl Jam, ‘Lollapalooza’ (1992)
This famed performance at the 1992 Lollapalooza festival was absolutely wild. Eddie Vedder has always been known for being a passionate performer, but he (and the rest of the band) was on a whole ‘nother level with this performance. The crowd was as cool as it gets, and we can only imagine how incredible it was to hear songs like “Even Flow” and “Alive” in that setting.
4. Oasis at Knebworth (1996)
One of the best live performances of the 90s and one of Oasis’ very best sets period, the famed Britpop outfit’s concert at Knebworth was a wild and uniquely English experience. The festival concert covered two nights that year and broke quite a few records. Over 250,000 fans packed into the fest for Oasis’ sets, and there was something insane about hearing so many people scream the words to songs like “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and “Wonderwall” out into the ether.
We can only imagine what it will be like when Oasis hits the road for their record-breaking reunion tour in 2025.
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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