Nirvana came back together Friday night, but with a new vocalist filling in for Kurt Cobain.

Post Malone joined the surviving members of the seminal grunge band for an electric performance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The “Sunflower” singer played guitar and delivered an intense vocal performance alongside bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl, and touring guitarist Pat Smear.

Adam Sandler, who was a cast member on SNL when Nirvana first performed on the show in 1991, introduced the musicians. “These next guys played while my cast was there, and it was an explosive moment for all of us,” Sandler said. “It changed it all. Three guys rockin’ out in a way no one had ever seen before, led by a young badass who we will never forget. But the music will live on forever. Ladies and gentlemen: Post Nirvana.”

Nirvana’s first SNL appearance saw the band play “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Territorial Pissings.” They returned to the show in 1993 to perform “Heart-Shaped Box” and “Rape Me.”

Grohl has returned to the show nine times with his band Foo Fighters. Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear also reunited alongside Paul McCartney to perform the song “Cut Me Some Slack,” which they wrote with the former Beatle, on SNL in 2012.

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Malone is a lifelong Nirvana fan, having recorded a song called “Kurt Cobain,” and he has performed the band’s music on numerous occasions throughout his career. In 2016, he covered “Lithium” from Nevermind at Coachella during an impromptu set with producer Andrew Watt. He also sang “All Apologies” from In Utero at a Boston show in 2017.

Most notably, Malone performed 15 of the band’s songs during a 2020 livestream that raised funds for COVID-19 relief. His set list included tracks like “Heart-Shaped Box,” “Drain You,” and “Something in the Way.” 

Novoselic reacted to the livestream in real time on social media. “So proud of @PostMalone and crew,” he wrote. “I don’t think these fellows can play any better. They are on fire!!!!”

Courtney Love, who was married to Cobain until his death in 1994, also praised Malone’s set. “GOOSEBUMPS! F— YES. Go have a margarita, @postmalone. Nothing but love from here,” she wrote at the time.

Novoselic, Grohl, and Smear also reunited at the FireAid concert in Los Angeles last month, performing “Breed” with St. Vincent, “School” with Kim Gordon, and “Territorial Pissings” with Joan Jett. All three women had previously performed with the band at their 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The group ended their four-song set at that show with “All Apologies,” featuring vocals from Grohl’s 18-year-old daughter, Violet.