Watch Daniel Johns Cover Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ At triple j’s Beat The Drum

By Tom Williams

triple j‘s Beat The Drum concert in Sydney celebrated the national broadcaster’s 40th birthday, and saw some sterling performances from a number of Australia’s most loved musicians.

Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns had the honour of covering Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, the song which has helped define modern youth, and which topped triple j’s Hottest 100 Of All Time list. Watched by 25,000 music lovers in attendance, and heard by many more listening to the simulcast, Johns turned the Nirvana classic into a slow piano ballad, backed by a harpist.

Music Feeds reviewer Sarah White called Johns’ performance “a slow, heartfelt version of a song that defined a generation, covered by a singer whose diversity and creativity epitomises Australian music”. Official footage of Johns’ performance is now available to view in full, below.

The world’s most famous Novocastrian is due to release new music very soon. The day of his Beat The Drum performance, Johns posted an image to his socials teasing a release called Aerial Love and a date of 29th January.

UPDATE 29/01/15: Johns has released his new track, Aerial Love, and details of a new EP and an album coming this year — details here.

Two highlights sets recorded at Beat The Drum will be broadcast as part of triple j’s Live At The Wireless program at 8pm on Monday, 19th January, and again at 5pm on Sunday, 25th January.

Other acts who performed at the concert include Hilltop Hoods, who performed their hit Cosby Sweater with Illy, Drapht, Seth Sentry, Thundamentals, Tkay Maidza and Horrorshow, plus, The Presets, Megan Washington, Hermitude and The Cat Empire. Read up on what went down over at Music Feeds’ full review of Beat The Drum, and check out some stunning pics below.

Watch: Daniel Johns – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana Cover) live at triple j’s Beat The Drum

Daniel Johns covers 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at triple j's Beat The Drum

Gallery: Beat The Drum – Sydney, The Domain 16/01/15 / Photos by Ashley Mar

Beat The Drum - Sydney, The Domain 17/01/15

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Tom Williams
Tom Williams

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