On Friday (April 24), Post Malone took a break from recording his quarantine album to recruit Blink-182’s drummer Travis Barker, bassist Brian Lee and guitarist Nick Mack for a Nirvana-themed virtual benefit concert to raise money for COVID-19 relief. According to TMZ, the performance raised $1 million within the first hour and has continued to see donations, totaling a hefty sum upwards of $4.3 million.
Donning a floral dress and with a beer in hand, Post performed a variety of Nirvana hits during the 80-minute set, including “About a Girl,” “Heart-Shaped Box” and “Come As You Are.” Abiding by social distancing guidelines, Barker, Lee and Mack each performed from separate rooms within Post’s Salt Lake City house.
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselić gave his stamp of approval during the Live, writing, “I don’t think these fellows can play any better. They are on fire!!!!” adding that he’d been “holding emotions back the whole show.”
During the event, Post also offered an update on his forthcoming album.
“Working on this new album I got coming for y’all. I’m really fu*king excited for it,” he said. “Trying to put it out as soon as I fu*king can. I’m really proud of the music that we’re making. I’m having a lot of fu*king fun and I’m really fu*king excited to put something new out for y’all.”
Post’s performance is one of many virtual benefit events that have been launched in the wake of the pandemic. On Wednesday (April 29), Offset is set to host a live-streamed concert with SAINt JHN, Young Thug and Rich the Kid, which will raise funds for Atlanta food banks.
Fans can still watch and donate to Post’s Nirvana tribute below. All proceeds from the event benefit The United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for The World Health Organization (WHO) in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. Donations will also be matched by Google up to $5 million.