I’m unfortunately not a big fan of the music made and performed by Swedish Pop group ABBA, but I acknowledge the global phenomenon that created one of the best-selling bands in music history. Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid ended their band project in 1982, their last concert in London was in 1979 (at the Wembley Arena, todays OVO Arena). And then they surprisingly returned in 2022: as a virtual band in their own ABBA Arena at London‘s Pudding Mill Lane.
The characters you see on stage during these concerts are 3D laser projections of the band members during their best years. They call them the ABBAtars. And that is what fascinated me: could a concert work without the real band? ABBA Voyage as the experience is named is in fact a combination of different elements: the ABBAtars ‘performing’ assisted by a live band, anime-like animations, moving screens and disco reflections, films like the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest appearance of ABBA – it is a good mix that keeps you entertained.
And honestly, if people pay hundreds of Euros or Dollars to see their idol somewhere in a large soccer stadium they don’t get closer or see more of the artist than during ABBA Voyage. Technologically, the concert is fantastic and you can easily forget that these people on stage aren’t real people. It is also like time travelling to see people perform in costumes typically worn fifty years ago and a lot of fans copy that and arrive dressed accordingly. What felt strange is that at the end the audience is applauding for virtual characters; maybe I didn’t dive into the experience well enough.
Additionally, I disliked that the employes had to act like animators trying to get the crowd to dance, clap and sing. You can’t invoke a party like this. By the way: taking photos is strictly forbidden to ‘keep the show a secret for future visitors‘. Sure. But there is no reason to complain too much: when Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid appear at the end of the show as they look today the crowd gets emotional anyway. Is this the future of concerts? Will we see 3D projections of artists more often? And can I now claim to have seen ABBA live on stage? ABBA Voyage will probably continue ad Pudding Mill Lane until April 2026, so maybe you get the chance to ask yourself these questions.
ABBA Voyage
ABBA Arena
London
England
United Kingdom
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