Nostalgia is coming back in a big way! ABBA have just debuted their first album in 39 years and now the band has plans to stage a tech-driven concert too.
Nostalgia with Abba’s new journey into the future
ABBA was founded in Sweden in 1972. It is one of the most popular music groups of all time, with hits like “Dancing Queen”, “Take a Chance on Me”, and “The Winner Takes it All”. When the band broke up in 1983, all members pursued solo careers until they reunited for a one-time performance at Swedish TV’s 25th anniversary show in 1986. ABBA were true musical pioneers and created a unique sound that more often than not implored you to tap your feet. Now, after a 39 year hiatus, the band that captured the attention of the public with hits like “Super Trooper” are set to do so again and in pure ABBA style.
Leveraging all that technology has to offer
ABBA fans have welcomed the quartet with open arms and the sales figures don’t lie. The band’s long-awaited album, Voyage, went straight to the top, bestowing upon them the biggest opening week of sales for any album in the last 4 years. Not content to just give their adoring fans new music, the band has plans to go ahead with a ground-breaking comeback tour that will leverage everything that technology has to offer within the realm of live concert entertainment. Some of the details have been leaked and it all sounds quite ambitious to say the least. Details that have thus far emerged include a purpose-built arena in London with a capacity to house 3,000 fans. In addition, new music, live performers and holograms will all form part of the festivities, and due to the ambitious nature of the event, the hosting costs have already climbed into the financial upper echelons of eight figures. This will of course draw ABBA-crowds from USA, Australia and rest of Europe; should have a positive effect on London’s tourism, possibly even the trading of GBP and European currencies and potentially kickstart “long weekend travels” again, that could need a boost after the last year.
The concert is set to kick off in Spring of 2022 with the intention to run until 2025. Whether the actual band members will take to the stage remains up for debate, but what is known is that holograms of the artists in their heyday will grace the stage.
All the way to Vegas
The purpose-built venue will be stationed in the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, and the 6,710-square-metre theatre will host 8 shows a week and make provision for fans to experience it in 360 degrees, thus allowing for a more immersive experience also. Standard amenities at an event of this nature will also include food stalls, a bar and other applicable shops. The design also allows for the entire setup to be disassembled for the purposes of transportation. Based on the success of the London stint, which is most likely guaranteed, there are plans to then move the event to Stockholm or even Las Vegas.
In the works since 2019
So who’s the brain behind this epic production you might ask? None other than Benny’s son Ludwig, who was also responsible for the production of 2018’s Mamma Mia! Plans for the quartet of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad to stage their tremendous comeback have been in place since 2019 but due to the global health crises were delayed. Back in 2018 the band made clear their intentions to record new material for the first time in 35 years and last year it was revealed that they produced more tracks than initially intended. Now with the release of their new album Voyage, the band looks set to deliver something completely new and different to their adoring public.
