As the landmark Kurt Cobain: Unplugged exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum in London draws to a close, fans have one last chance to own a unique piece of rock history.
The museum is offering a rare prize draw to win one of Kurt Cobain’s guitar plectrums, used by the Nirvana frontman during their MTV Unplugged performance and currently on show at the Royal College of Music Museum as part of the exhibition.
The plectrum is one of three Dunlop 60mm picks found inside Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar case, which was sold at auction in 2020.
For just £5 per entry, fans worldwide can participate in the draw, with all proceeds directly supporting students and the Future Music Fund at the Royal College of Music, London.
Entries are open now and will close on 18 November 2025, the final day of the exhibition. Unlimited entries allowed.
To enter the draw, visit: https://rcm.charityhive.co.uk/raffle/3/kurt-cobains-plectrum-prize-draw.
About the exhibition: Kurt Cobain Unplugged – The story behind one of music’s most iconic guitars. 3 June – 18 November 2025
One of the most famous acoustic guitars in rock history – Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E – is on show at the Royal College of Music Museum in London as part of a landmark exhibition exploring Nirvana’s groundbreaking MTV Unplugged performance.
Kurt Cobain Unplugged delves into the musical legacy of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain and traces the remarkable journey of this iconic guitar, which became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction in 2020 when it was bought for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM. Peter is the founder of RØDE Microphones, founding supporter of the Royal College of Music’s Australia Commonwealth Scholarship and has generously loaned the guitar for this special exhibition.
Peter Freedman commented: ‘When I purchased this guitar, my intention was to have it begin a worldwide tour of exhibitions, to support performing artists. I am delighted that this intent will be premiered at the Royal College of Music, London, with the first exhibition of its kind and will support talented musicians worldwide.’
The exhibition also reunites the guitar with another piece of rock history – Cobain’s famous olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the 1993 Unplugged performance. This marks the first time these two legendary items have been displayed together.
Alongside these items, a carefully curated selection of Nirvana memorabilia will provide insight into the band’s influence, Cobain’s songwriting, and the enduring legacy of Nirvana and their MTV Unplugged performance.
The exhibition has been curated by Alan di Perna, one of America’s foremost rock journalists, and Royal College of Museum Curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni.
How to book: Tickets for the exhibition are £5 and available from www.rcm.ac.uk/kurtcobain
Royal College of Music Museum, Prince Consort Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2BS
Open Tuesday – Sunday