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Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!

| type = Video

| artist = Nirvana

| cover = Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! cover.jpg

| director = Kevin Kerslake

| alt =

| released = November 15, 1994 (VHS)
November 7, 2006 (DVD)

| recorded = 1990–1993

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Grunge, alternative rock

| length = 83:00

| label = Geffen Records

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind

| next_year = 2005

}}

Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! is a live video by the American rock band Nirvana, directed by Kevin Kerslake, and released on November 15, 1994, on VHS and laserdisc. It was re-released on DVD on November 7, 2006.

Background

Conceived by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, the film was intended to document Nirvana's unexpected rise to fame following the release of their second album, Nevermind, in September 1991.{{cite web |last1=Prato |first1=Greg |title=Live Tonight Sold Out - Nirvana {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-tonight-sold-out-mw0000120039 |website=allmusic.com |access-date=18 April 2021 |language=en}} After Cobain's death in April 1994, it was salvaged for release by surviving Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, who completed it with editor Steve MacCorkle.

Kerslake, who had been in communication with Cobain during the film's development, revealed that Cobain's concept for the video was "much more evolved" than the version that was released, featuring "more of an interior sense of what it was like to be in the band," but "obviously, we never got to the point where that part was shot."{{cite book |last1=Soulsby |first1=Nick |title=I Found My Friends: The Oral History of Nirvana |date=31 March 2015 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |isbn=9781250061522 |page=272}}

Content

The video includes live performances, as well as interview clips, news footage and the band's home movies. The live material is drawn largely from the band's 1991 Nevermind tour, with their shows at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington, on October 31, 1991, and Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 25, 1991, featured most prominently. This tour is also represented by appearances on the British music show Top of the Pops on November 27, 1991, and the British talk show Tonight with Jonathan Ross on December 6, 1991.

It also includes footage from the band's Pacific Rim tour in early 1992. One song, "On a Plain", is from their headlining appearance at the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark on June 26, 1992, which had an attendance of 64,500 people in the audience.{{cite web |url=https://everything2.com/title/Roskilde+Festival |title=Roskilde Festival - 30 Years of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll |website=everything2.com |access-date=December 23, 2021}} One song, "Lithium", as well as other footage, is from the band's headline performance at the Reading Festival in Reading, England on August 30, 1992, which, according to Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, had an attendance of 50,000 people and that hearing the audience chant the lyrics to "Lithium" was one of their biggest moments.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/alternative-rock/nirvana-headline-reading-festival/ |title=Nirvana Headline Reading Festival |work=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=December 23, 2021}} Two songs are from Nirvana's headline appearance at the Hollywood Rock festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 23, 1993, which had an attendance of over 100,000 people in the audience.{{cite news |last=Hegarty |first=Niam |date=July 1, 2021 |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/a-collection-of-the-craziest-kurt-cobain-live-performances/ |title=A collection of the craziest Kurt Cobain live performances - January 1993, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |work=ToneDeaf |access-date=December 23, 2021}}

Three of the songs "Aneurysm," "Love Buzz" and "Territorial Pissings" are edits of two different versions each, with the Paradiso, Amsterdam version being used as one of the two versions for all three songs. The first part of "Love Buzz" is taken from a concert at Trees in Dallas, Texas, in which frontman Kurt Cobain got into a fight with a bouncer.{{cite news |date=October 19, 2020 |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/kurt-cobain-nirvana-attack-bouncer-guitar-video/ |title=Watch Kurt Cobain attack a bouncer with his guitar while performing in 1991 |work=Far Out Magazine |access-date=January 5, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Lacour |first=Brad |date=October 23, 2018 |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-nirvana-experience-and-trees-remember-the-time-a-bouncer-punched-kurt-cobain-11282308 |title=Trees Wants You to Never Forget About the Time a Bouncer Punched Kurt Cobain in the Face |work=Dallas Observer|access-date=January 5, 2022}}

The "Aneurysm" edit, which features the Paradiso and Hollywood Rock versions of the song, was used as a music video for promotion of Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! in 1994, but also for promotion of the band's 1996 live compilation, From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah.{{cite book |date=October 12, 1996|title=Billboard - Video Monitor |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/90s/1996/BB-1996-10-12-OCR-Page-0096.pdf#search=%22nirvana%20aneurysm%22 |publisher=Billboard| page=104 |access-date=December 29, 2018}} Although it was actually a different version of the song that appeared on the From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah album that was recorded at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, on December 28, 1991.

{{location map+ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe|float=right|width=500|caption=Recording locations of Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!|places=

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=52.3|long=4.9|label_size=0|label=Paradiso, Amsterdam}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=-22.9|long=-43.2|label_size=0|label=Hollywood Rock Festival}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=47.613|long=-122.331|label_size=0|label=Paramount Theatre}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=32.8|long=-96.8|label_size=0|label=Trees Dallas, Texas}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=51.5|long=0|label_size=0|label=Top of the Pops}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=21.2|long=-157.9|label_size=0|label=Pinks Garage, Honolulu, Hawaii}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=34.7|long=135.5|label_size=0|label=Kokusai Koryu, Osaka, Japan}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=51.5|long=-1|label_size=0|label=Reading Festival}}

{{location map~ |World#USA#Northern and Central Europe |lat=55.6|long=12|label_size=0|label=Roskilde Festival}}

}}

In 2002, an unsent letter to "Kevin & co" was published in Cobain's Journals, which contained numerous requests for changes to an earlier cut of the film, none of which appear in the final version. Among Cobain's instructions were the inclusion of the song "Sifting," from the band's show at Rhino Records in Los Angeles on June 23, 1989, and "Molly's Lips," from their appearance at the 1991 Reading Festival on August 23, 1991.{{cite book |last1=Cobain |first1=Kurt |title=Journals |date=2002 |publisher=Riverhead Books |location=USA |isbn=978-1-57322-232-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/kurtcobainjourna00coba/page/227 227] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/kurtcobainjourna00coba/page/227 }}

Reception

Allmusic's Greg Prato wrote that the film showed "how great the trio could be on stage," and offered "great insight into the group, just as they were hitting it big."{{cite web |last1=Prato |first1=Greg |title=Nirvana - Live Tonight Sold Out |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-tonight-sold-out-mw0000120039 |website=Allmusic |access-date=28 December 2018}} Charles Aaron of Spin wrote that it captured "the dizzying silliness of the times, as well as Nirvana's fractious magnetism."{{cite news |last1=Aaron |first1=Charles |title=Selling Out |work=Spin |date=April 2004}} According to Noah Davis of PopMatters, the film showed that despite the band's "position as world beaters," they were rarely serious, and "never played along" to the traditional rules of fame.{{cite news |last1=Noah |first1=Jones |title=Nirvana: Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! [DVD] |url=https://www.popmatters.com/nirvana-nirvana-live-tonight-sold-out-dvd-2495747714.html |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=PopMatters |date=7 December 2006}} Dan Martin of the NME wrote that it showed "Nirvana as they should have been experienced: a raw, visceral, devastatingly sexy way of life."{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Dan |title=Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! Vs Foo Fighters: Live In Hyde Park/Skin And Bones|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nirvana-8110-306586 |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=NME |date=5 January 2007}}

Chart performance

The original 1994 release of Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Video Sales chart,{{cite book |date=December 24, 1994|title=Top Video Sales |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1994/1994-12-24-Billboard-Page-0152.pdf |publisher=Billboard| page=72 |access-date=July 30, 2018}} and at number 1 on the Billboard Top Music Videos chart.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155820/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 7, 2019}} In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 2 on the UK Top Music Videos chart.{{cite magazine |date=December 3, 1994 |title=UK Music Video Chart |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/90s/1994/CB-1994-12-03-OCR-Page-0021.pdf |magazine=Cashbox |page=21 |format=PDF |access-date=January 27, 2019}}{{cite magazine |date=November 26, 1994 |title=Music Video |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1994/Music-Week-1994-11-26-IDX-36.pdf |magazine=Music Week |page=20 |access-date=August 13, 2021}}

Track listing

  1. "Aneurysm" (In two parts: 1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland, and 1993.01.23 - Hollywood Rock, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Incorrectly labeled 1993.01.16 São Paulo, Brazil on inlay)
  2. "About a Girl" (1991.10.31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington)
  3. "Dive" (1993.01.23 - Hollywood Rock, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Incorrectly labeled 1993.01.16 - São Paulo, Brazil on inlay)
  4. "Love Buzz" (In two parts: 1991.10.19 - Dallas, Texas / 1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland)
  5. "Breed" (1991.10.31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington)
  6. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991.11.27 - UK TV show Top of the Pops)
  7. "Negative Creep" (1992.02.22 - Honolulu, Hawaii)
  8. "Come as You Are" (1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland)
  9. "Territorial Pissings" (In two parts: 1991.12.06 - UK TV show Jonathan Ross / 1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland)
  10. "Something in the Way" (1992.02.14 - Osaka, Japan)
  11. "Lithium" (1992.08.30 - Reading Festival, England)
  12. "Drain You" (1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland)
  13. "Polly" (1991.10.31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington)
  14. "Sliver" (1991.11.25 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland)
  15. "On a Plain" (1992.06.26 - Roskilde Festival, Denmark)
  16. "Endless, Nameless" (1991.10.31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington) (Not listed on VHS release)

=DVD bonus tracks=

The DVD features the same track listing as the VHS release, as well as footage from Nirvana's performance at the Paradiso Club in Amsterdam on November 25, 1991, featuring the songs:

  1. "School"
  2. "About a Girl"
  3. "Been a Son"
  4. "On a Plain"
  5. "Blew"

There is also a secret "easter egg" bonus feature at the end of the credits, a rehearsal of "On a Plain" from early 1991.

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

==1994 original VHS release==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1994–1995)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia Music Video Top 20 (ARIA){{cite magazine |date=June 11, 1995 |magazine=ARIA Report |title=The ARIA Music Video Top 20 |url=https://i.postimg.cc/7ZXzj7gd/ARIA-Music-Video-Top-20-May-1995.jpg |issue=278 |page=12 |access-date=November 22, 2021}}

| 1

scope="row"|UK Videos (OCC){{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/video-chart/19941120/12/ |title=Official Video Chart |date=November 20, 1994 |website=officialcharts.com |access-date=October 12, 2024}}

| 9

{{Album chart|UKMV|2|artist=Nirvana|date=19941120|access-date=6 December 2021|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|US Top Video Sales (Billboard){{cite book |date=December 24, 1994|title=Top Video Sales |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1994/1994-12-24-Billboard-Page-0152.pdf |publisher=Billboard| page=72 |access-date=July 30, 2018}}

| 6

scope="row"|US Top Music Videos (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155820/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 7, 2019}}

| 1

==2006 DVD re-release==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2006)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australian Audiovisual Top 40 Chart (ARIA Charts){{cite journal |date=April 13, 2015 |issue=1311 |title=ARIA Report - ARIA Top 40 Audiovisual |url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1311.pdf |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150413140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20150414-0000/Issue1311.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-04-13 |page=24 |quote=see Highest Position "HP" |access-date=September 8, 2019}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

| 9

{{Album chart|UKMV|11|artist=Nirvana|date=20061119|access-date=6 December 2021|refname=UKMV|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|US Top Music Videos (Billboard)

| 4

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1995)

!Peak
position

Australia Music Video Top 20 (ARIA){{cite magazine |date=December 31, 1995 |magazine=ARIA Report |title=The ARIA Music Video Top 20 1995 |url=https://i.postimg.cc/MTcqzkgV/ARIA-Music-Video-Top-20-of-1995-Year-end.jpg |issue=307 |page=13 |access-date=November 22, 2021}}

|align="center"| 1

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=video|title=Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!|artist=Nirvana|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=P&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |title=Gold & Platinum Certifications |work=CAPIF |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531185849/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=P&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2022}}}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=Australia |award=Platinum| certyear=2007}}

{{certification Table Entry|artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=Canada |award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2007}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Nevermind |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=New Zealand |award=Platinum| certyear=2008| source=archive| access-date=December 15, 2014}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=United Kingdom |award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2013|certmonth=7|id=10357-602-5}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=United States |award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2007}}

{{certification Table Bottom}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{IMDb title|id=0239723|title=Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!}}
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8ADOaMVu6I Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! DVD Trailer]

{{Nirvana (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Nirvana (band) video albums

Category:1994 live albums

Category:1994 video albums

Category:Video albums published posthumously

Category:Films shot in Oregon

Category:Films shot in Washington (state)

Category:Nirvana (band) live albums