There's news and there's news. Today we're focusing on the latter. If you've read the headline, you probably went "Mamma mia, here they go again!" And if you still don't know what this post is about, the last sentence was a strong suggestion. But let's spell it out. ABBA. Is. Back!
You've heard this correctly. And they're not just reuniting to do a press tour or a little concert of some old songs. The fantastic four from Sweden are announcing a new album called "Voyage," along with a concert that will fuse the old and the new, and not just in terms of songs, but also in terms of presentation. They've posed as actors of themselves while digital artists created CGI versions of ABBA in their prime that will perform in the concert. Oh, and they're building a giant arena, but more on that later.
More info: Instagram | abbavoyage.com
After 40 years, the 4 legendary members of ABBA have decided to reunite
Image credits: abbavoyage
Those more cynical speculate that money motivated this, but ABBA is known to have turned down a 1bn $USD tour deal in the 2000s, so it's reasonable to assume that it's not the main reason why. Others say that it's natural for any band to want to summarize their careers and put a final dot to it. And some just don't care, as they're over their heads from the fact that ABBA is actually back.
The unlikely comeback announcement was followed by even more unlikely CGI versions of the ABBA singers, cleverly named "Abba-tars"
Image credits: abbavoyage
Agathe, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid put on the costumes and hit the stage. Over 850 digital artists worked on their look while 160 cameras recorded their moves. How did it turn out? Nobody really knows. But we'll have the chance to see it in 2022, London, where they're building an arena just for the occasion.
850 artists worked on recreating the singers in their prime. The legends recorded the digital concert in front of 160 cameras
Image credits: abbavoyage
The ABBA-tars are rendered to look like the members back in their heyday, namely the '70s. We'll find out how it looks in motion, but so far, the stills look amazing.
Fun fact: the band name ABBA consists of the initials of the four original band members: Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid.
Ulvaeus
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Björn Ulvaeus is a singer-songwriter and producer. He co-composed the musical Mamma Mia! and co-produced the film of the same title.
Agnetha Fältskog
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Besides being a singer-songwriter, like all of the ABBA members, she's also an actor. She has remained active in creative music and published a few albums of her own.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
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Frida (as some call her), unlike the other band members, is part Norwegian. She's also an active environmentalist and an actual princess and a Countess of Plauen.
Benny Andersson
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Benny Andersson co-composed and co-produced Mamma Mia! with Björn. He has a band called Benny Anderssons Orkester.
The attention-loving Benny and Bjorn broke the news about their epic return at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Image credits: abbavoyage
The news is BIG: a brand new album, a concert, and a completely new arena
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The location for the press announcement is no accident. The arena is going to be built at the same park in London where the press announcement happened.
And thus, ABBA began announcing their virtual reunion concert to the whole world
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Futuristic billboards sprung up all over London
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"London is the best city to be in when it comes to entertainment, theatre, musicals… We have always felt that the Brits see us as their own," Benny said.
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The band is building a massive arena venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park just for the Voyage concert. Their virtual versions will perform alongside a live orchestra
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The tickets are going public tomorrow, and the first concert is scheduled for May 27th, 2022.
As one commentator wittily put it: "ABBA building their own arena and not even having to show up to it is the ultimate flex."
And like all great comebacks, the tour will feature their new album "Voyage," as well as their greatest hits
Image credits: abbavoyage
The new 10-track album is going to be released on November 5th, 2021, just before the Christmas shopping season starts. If you know an ABBA fan, you know what to buy for them this year!