Following the 30th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s landmark album Nevermind, the set soars on multiple Billboard charts dated Oct. 9.
Plus, Coldplay and The Lumineers boast gains for past hits thanks to iTunes discounting.
Originally released Sept. 24, 1991, Nevermind vaults 21-7 on the Top Rock Albums chart with 13,000 equivalent album units earned, up 53%, in the Sept. 24-30 tracking week, according to MRC Data. It also jumps 11-6 on Alternative Albums, and on the all-format Billboard 200, Nevermind bounds 125-44, appearing in the chart’s top 50 for the first time since 2011, when it was reissued for its 20th anniversary. The set spends its 543rd week on the Billboard 200 and has sold 9.9 million copies to-date.
It gained by 10% to 12.9 million on-demand U.S. streams and 327% to 4,300 sold in the tracking week.
Concurrently, two of the set’s songs hit the multi-metric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart (where older titles are eligible to appear if ranking in the top 25 with a meaningful reason for their resurgence). “Smells Like Teen Spirit” leads at No. 9 (4.4 million streams, 2.6 million radio audience impressions and 3,200 sold), followed by “Come as You Are” at No. 20 (2.7 million streams, 2.7 million in airplay reach and 1,100 sold).
Four other older songs reach Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, two each by Coldplay and The Lumineers, sparked by 69-cent sale pricing in the iTunes Store for select catalog songs in the alternative genre (as well as new releases by both acts).
Coldplay charts with 2000’s “Yellow” (No. 18; 3.3 million streams, 427,000 airplay impressions and 2,000 sold) and 2008’s “Viva La Vida” (No. 23; 2.4 million streams, 1.5 million in radio reach and 1,600 sold). The Lumineers shine with 2012’s “Ho Hey” (No. 19; 4.8 million in airplay audience, 2.3 million streams and 1,600 sold) and 2016’s “Ophelia” (No. 21; 2.9 million streams, 470,000 airplay impressions and 2,000 sold).
Coldplay’s earlier hits join the group’s new BTS collaboration “My Universe,” which launches at No. 1 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, while The Lumineers’ new single “Brightside” vaults 44-25.