15 ‘MTV Unplugged’ episodes with alt artists you need to watch
Last week, we learned that MTV Unplugged—a music programming staple from the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s—will make a return to airwaves this fall. Pop star Shawn Mendes is scheduled to re-inaugurate the MTV classic Sept. 8, with a performance filmed at The Theater At Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.
Besides pop, the show highlighted an array of genres in its first 20 years. It reached into R&B and country, while also featuring alternative artists prominently. The original MTV Unplugged broadcasted regularly from 1989 to 1999, and then less frequently from 2000 to 2009. After 2009, MTV Unplugged was saved for occasional specials.
To celebrate this nostalgic comeback, we’ve listed 15 MTV Unplugged episodes with alternative artists you need to watch.
Read more: Total Request Live is coming back to MTV
1. The Cure – Jan. 24, 1991 from Limehouse TV Studios in London
In front of a regal purple and navy backdrop, the Cure offered an extremely raw and relaxed performance on an early episode of MTV Unplugged in 1991.
2. Pearl Jam – March 16, 1992 from Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, NY
Almost a year after the release of their debut album, Ten, Pearl Jam was welcomed to Astoria’s Kaufman Studios for a rousing MTV Unplugged performance, exposing lead singer Eddie Vedder’s vocals against his band’s natural talent.
3. Stone Temple Pilots – Nov. 17, 1993 from Sony Music Studios in New York City
With Scott Weiland’s talent on display, Stone Temple Pilots performed for MTV Unplugged in New York City almost 25 years ago, a treasure from the ’90s alternative rock vault.
4. Nirvana – Nov. 18, 1993 from Sony Music Studios in New York City
Recorded and released as MTV Unplugged In New York, this moving performance rightfully earned Nirvana a Grammy for Best Alternative Album in 1996. The record was Nirvana’s first after Kurt Cobain’s death, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard, eventually going five-times Platinum and featuring lesser-known material and covers.
5. Hole – Feb. 14, 1995 from Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York
Burrowed in a dimly lit space, Hole put forth an MTV Unplugged set that mixed Nirvana, Duran Duran and Crystals covers with original material.
6. KISS – Aug. 9, 1995 from Sony Music Studios in New York City
Not only does this MTV Unplugged show off KISS’ lighter side, but it also includes footage from 1995’s KISS Convention Tour, where the band played an intimate acoustic set as well.
7. Alice In Chains – April 10, 1996 from Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York
Alice In Chains shed their metal exterior for an hour-plus, 13-track, stripped-down MTV Unplugged performance.
8. Tori Amos – April 11, 1996 from Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York
Alternative singer-songwriter Tori Amos graced the cover of Alternative Press three times: in 1998, 1999 and 2001. This 1996 MTV Unplugged performance displayed both Amos’ vocal and piano talents.
9. Oasis – Aug. 23, 1996 from Royal Festival Hall in London
Citing a sore throat, Liam Gallagher sat out this MTV Unplugged and watched his older brother, Noel, cover lead vocals from the balcony, with a cold beer and cigarettes in hand.
10. Dashboard Confessional – April 24, 2002 from MTV Studios in New York City
Chris Carrabba could barely get a word in edgewise for this MTV Unplugged performance, often letting the audience take over vocals and signaling an emo takeover of the early 2000s.
11. Queens Of The Stone Age – June 10, 2005 from SilverWings in Berlin, Germany
Lead singer Josh Homme announced at the beginning of this MTV Unplugged set that Queens Of The Stone Age were going to make most of the performance up on the spot because they had never done anything like it before.
12. Korn – Dec. 9, 2006 from MTV Studios in New York City
Amy Lee from Evanescence joined Korn for “Freak On A Leash” during their MTV Unplugged set. However, she wasn’t the only guest—Robert Smith and Simon Gallup of the Cure also were featured during “Make Me Bad” and “Inbetween Days,” completing a performance that was later packaged as MTV Unplugged: Korn.
13. All Time Low – Summer 2009 from New York City
All Time Low revisited their scene-legendary MTV Unplugged performance for a special Record Store Day release this year. Like a snapshot in All Time Low history, the set features songs from Put Up Or Shut Up; So Wrong, It’s Right and their then-new album Nothing Personal.
14. Paramore – Fall 2009 from New York City
Marking the release of their record Brand New Eyes, Paramore hit the MTV Unplugged stage in 2009. They performed everything from “Misery Business” to “That’s What You Get,” which leaves us wondering: Anyone have a time machine handy?
15. Thirty Seconds To Mars – May 13, 2011 from Sony Music Studios in New York City
Thirty Seconds To Mars put on an epic MTV Unplugged special in 2011, spotlighting backup musicians from Vitamin String Quartet and singers from The Late Show’s Gospel Choir. Not only does the performance include original material, such as “Hurricane” and “Kings And Queens,” but it also features a cover of the Police’s “Message In A Bottle,” a cover of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” and short instrumentals of the Cure, Pantera and Slayer.
What’s your favorite MTV Unplugged performance? Who do you want to see perform for the comeback? Tell us in the comments.
