(MANDATORY CREDIT Ebet Roberts/Getty Images) UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 12: Photo of U2; L-R: The ... [+]
U2 is back with a new album, and it has become a quick commercial success, which isn’t shocking given the band’s sustained popularity. The group didn’t promote the new set heavily, as it was released for a special occasion, but it sold well enough to appear on several Billboard charts.
This week, U2 debuts their new project U2 Live: Under A Blood Red Sky on a pair of lists. The set, a remastered and re-released version of their live album from 1983, Under a Blood Red Sky, was a favorite among superfans, and it sold well. In just a few days, the new EP sold just over 7,000 copies, according to data shared by Luminate.
U2 Live: Under A Blood Red Sky debuts highest on the Vinyl Albums chart. On that list, it opens at No. 18. The title marks the band’s fourteenth to reach the ranking of the bestselling vinyl albums in the U.S.
The same project also appears on the all-genre Top Album Sales chart. On that list, it opens at No. 33. U2 Live: Under A Blood Red Sky marks the twenty-third appearance on the roster for the Irish rockers.
While they’re not known for being one of the most prolific acts out there, U2 Live: Under A Blood Red Sky impressively marks the second new entrant on both aforementioned charts for the band in 2023. The group’s Songs of Surrender reached the top spot on both tallies this past spring when it was released.
Somewhat surprisingly, while U2’s new live EP sold well enough to make it to both the Top Album Sales and Vinyl Album charts, it doesn’t break onto the Billboard 200. That ranking takes into account other forms of consumption than just pure purchases, and thus is tougher to reach. The lowest entry on that list this week, Olivia Rodrigo’s Record Store Day exclusive Guts: The Secret Tracks, moved 8,375 copies.
