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Metro
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Bjorn Ulvaeus admits future of Abba Voyage is uncertain for one reason
While, in theory, Abba Voyage could last forever, Bjorn Ulvaeus has admitted he does not know if it'll be possible for one reason. The music legend has revealed that conversations have not yet been had around what will happen to the virtual concerts when one band member dies. Since opening in May 2022, more than three million people have seen the show that brings to life younger versions of Abba through digital 'Abba-tars.' It also features a 10-piece live band and is situated inside a purpose-built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, where fans can experience the group's famous songs in a revolutionary way. Asked on Times Radio if the virtual concerts will continue if a member of Abba dies, 80-year-old Ulvaeus told the station: 'That's a question I've never had before… I honestly don't know. hadn't thought about that. 'It's good you raise that question—I'll talk to the others about that, as we need to decide beforehand between us if it's OK for all four of us to go on after we're gone.' The influential pop group, also made up of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 79, Agnetha Faltskog, 75, and Benny Andersson, 78, were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo in Brighton in 1974. Faltskog and Ulvaeus married in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, while Andersson and Lyngstad also married and divorced in 1981, a year before the band broke up. Abba remains famous for a string of chart-topping tunes that have well and truly stood the test of time, such as Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All, and Mamma Mia! The group reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with Voyage, their ninth studio album, which topped the UK album charts. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999 and became a worldwide sensation. It spun off two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, with a third supposedly in the works. The launch of Abba Voyage was first confirmed in September 2021 during a globally streamed press conference. Abba's digital versions depict the members as they appeared in 1979, thanks to advanced motion capture technology, while their original recorded vocals are also used. It has been claimed that Abba Voyage is one of the most expensive live music experiences in history, with a whopping budget of $175million (£130m). This spring, it celebrated its third anniversary, with Ulvaeus and Faltskog attending a show at the venue as new songs were added to the set. 'When we first opened, we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us,' they said in May. 'Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience.' The new tracks added to the concert's set included The Name of the Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money, and Take a Chance on Me. The set now consists of 22 tunes, split into five acts, plus an encore. More Trending As estimated by consultancy Sound Diplomacy, Abba Voyage has brought more than £1billion to the UK economy since doors opened. Thanks to the arena, which seats 3,000 people, being designed to be portable, it can later be taken down and relocated elsewhere once the show runs its course in the capital. For now, though, it's going nowhere, as Abba Voyage is booking through to January 2026. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Irish Examiner
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Oasis, Abba, Bono and more: What it's like to play in one of Ireland's top tribute acts
For James Bermingham, it was a question of Faith; that, and the other albums. Matt Houlihan has become something of a Super Trouper. Derek Power found what he was looking for, and as for Gavin Fleming, well, he's feeling Supersonic. Is it even better than the real thing? Definitely? Maybe. Just ask some of the members of tribute bands who this weekend — almost every weekend — are playing shows to people up and down the country, and sometimes overseas. According to Gavin Fleming, electrical engineer and marathon runner by day, but who turns into Liam Gallagher at the weekends, 'I know some people look at tribute bands as a bit 'cruise ship', but our fans would say different — I psyche myself up, it's raw, you get into the zone, and the day you lose that, you should give it up'. There's not much chance of that these days, with Live Forever, the Oasis tribute band fronted by Gavin, playing shows to audiences already hyped by the prospect of the real Liam and Noel Gallagher getting back together again and playing a string of mega shows, including two nights in Croke Park this August. The re-formed Mancunians taking to the stage for the first time in more than 15 years has provided a boost to Live Forever, just one of a number of tribute acts who in some peculiar, opaque way, seem to become something beyond a facsimile of another group. Often, the whole enterprise takes on a life of its own. 'I'm a passionate person, to put it mildly,' says Gavin, who is from Dublin. A self-described 'Oasis fanatic', he had no experience of music when he won a karaoke competition in the Swallows pub in his native Clondalkin, which led to him teaming up with Paul, aka Noel, and the other members to hone what they describe as the 'definitive' Oasis experience. And while the band still work regular jobs, it means that every weekend, they are cranking up both the volume and the attitude to appreciative audiences who may even like the odd obscure B-side being dropped into the setlist. 'It's what they represent,' Gavin says of Oasis, sounding like a true believer. 'They are the band that defined an era, they are saying you can still get through this, it's the way out, it's the Irishness, it's that punching the air thing...' YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH James Bermingham as George Michael: 'I'm so passionate about George's music, I fell into the role,' he says. 'It was like a hand in glove.' James Bermingham knows the feeling. Another Dub, he was a taxi driver whose livelihood took a huge hit in the economic crash, ultimately pushing him towards his passion for the work of George Michael. A trained musician, James had been a pop fan since his childhood, but it was the album Faith which propelled his own particular obsession. 'I couldn't get work for love or money so I said I would go back to my first love,' James says of the recession years. 'I gave it a proper go. In 2011, I did my first show, I did the solo circuit in pubs and clubs, from there on in it accelerated, I got better with the feedback. You're programming yourself to be someone. It can be a pseudo science, and I applied those techniques to the tribute thing.' According to Robbie Lee, the Svengali behind James is 'the head off George Michael', yet James himself says that he focused first on the voice, and then later on the appearance, the mannerisms. He even took a kind of method acting approach, finding that on listening to George's old media interviews, if he replicated George's English accent when speaking, it helped with his impressive vocal delivery. 'I'm so passionate about George's music, I fell into the role,' he says. 'It was like a hand in glove.' James Bermingham as George Michael: 'It is a privilege, to replicate someone who has been adored for decades and who is a timeless artist.' Yet that doesn't mean that it did not take a whole pile of work to get to the point where being George Michael is now his full-time profession. As James points out, George had a relatively small back catalogue, even including the Wham! era — 'it was quality over quantity'. It means he had to nail every number so he can mix up the setlist. Evidently, it's working: when we speak, he is gearing up for a main slot at the prestigious summer festival dedicated to George in his home suburb of Goring in London. It surely helps that George's appeal is far from dimming and if anything, is growing among younger fans. 'My eldest daughter is 25, they love the '80s, they are crazy about the '80s,' James says. 'Her old classmates, they love Wham!, Duran Duran ... I'm 51 myself, and there was something magical about the '80s that was probably on a par with the '60s, it was a magical decade.' It might say something that the ever-brilliant RnaG radio show An Taobh Tuathail, presented by Cian Ó'Cíobháin, recently finished its Friday night electronic/club show with the relatively obscure Wham! cut Nothing Looks the Same in the Light. James is delighted with this news. 'What I do when I find myself down and out sometimes is to never take it for granted,' he says. 'It is a privilege, to replicate someone who has been adored for decades and who is a timeless artist.' A PERSONAL WATERLOO Abbaesque, Matt Houlihan as Benny, top left: 'They are amazing songs, they are arranged beautifully. It's not Leonard Cohen or Rage Against The Machine but they are so well crafted." Photo: Gareth Chaney For Matt Houlihan, the story was a little different. 'No, I was not [a fan], I will admit,' he says of Swedish pop legends Abba. Which, given he is Benny in the ultra-successful group Abbaesque, may have proved an issue. 'I had pretensions to be a serious musician back then, I had a future ahead of me of rock stardom and Glastonbury and all that kind of stuff and Abba was not on my radar at all.' Born in England, raised in Clonmel, and a self-declared funk fan, being Benny was initially a bit of a challenge. 'For a few years I didn't like that fact that I was doing it,' he continues. 'I remember being in a bar in New York with my wife-to-be and sitting down talking to this fella and he was all about music and my wife said 'my husband plays music' and I started kicking her leg under the table. "The band was Abbaesque, for whom Matt has played for approximately 25 years. 'I can still remember his name — Ramon. And he said, 'oh man, that's so bad, I feel so bad for you.'' It is safe to say those feelings don't linger these days. 'Now, I love it,' Matt says. 'They are amazing songs, they are arranged beautifully. It's not Leonard Cohen or Rage Against The Machine but they are so well crafted. They're about love and innocence. We get audiences from infant to 90 years old, and the division of the sexes has changed a lot — there are more un-ironic male fans coming to the gigs, and that was never was the case before.' Matt denies he had a Damascene moment where he ultimately embraced his role in what is a hugely successful enterprise, playing in an acclaimed band with its own dedicated following, but he does recall sharing a cigarette outside a club as he turned 50 with another musician. 'I said 'look at me, I'm wearing a wig, putting on high heels, acting like a twat on stage — what the fuck am I doing?' And she said: 'look at you, you're wearing a wig, putting on high heels, you're dancing around a stage for a living... And I said 'you're right'.There are worse ways to make a living.' FINDING WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR Derek Power, in his former role as Bono: 'It takes a lot of work — it goes from really low to really high, it takes a lot of power.' If Derek Power ever sold his soul, it was in the services of U2, more specifically his role as Bono for many years in the Joshua Tree. Now retired from wearing the shades, and happily living in Tenerife, Derek's introduction to U2 was the classic War album, though his favourite is Achtung Baby. 'Bono has a distinctive vocal,' he says of the artist formally known as Paul Hewson. 'It takes a lot of work — it goes from really low to really high, it takes a lot of power.' That range is something he mastered over the years, but he admits that when it comes to emulating Ireland's greatest ever band, there are some downsides. 'Everybody hates Bono,' he says with a laugh. 'Now, if I did it in mainland Europe, I'd make a fortune but in Ireland, it's marmite, people like him or people don't.' Derek met Bono once, and found him to be absolutely charming. Gavin has met Liam, and had a similar encounter. Robbie Lee, who first set up the tribute bands website way back in 1998, is convinced that the musicians are all invested in what they do. He recalls a time when Live Forever were doing a show and Gavin had been preparing for a marathon, meaning his on-stage pint — always more of a prop in any case — was non-alcoholic. 'The publican says, 'you'd know he wasn't drinking.'' Gavin chuckles at this, and adds that Liam himself doesn't drink these days. In fact, Liam is looking and sounding as good as ever, and as for a metamorphosis, it's arguable that anyone who listens to Colombia at high enough volume will end the song at least 20% Liam and feeling biblical. So Oasis are very much here, but according to Robbie Lee, there can be a risk in the tribute scene when it comes to an act who has passed on, as their profile starts to slip away. LIVING THE DREAM Live Forever, the Oasis tribute band. Picture: Emily Quinn Yet given the appetite for tribute acts, it seems the scene is as robust as ever, particularly in an era where the traditional pathway for an original band — demo, radio airplay, short-term deal with a label, potential stardom — seems a relic of another era. 'I'm not as factional as when I was a kid,' Matt says, sounding like someone who misses the era where you were almost defined as much by what bands you didn't like as those you did. He is not the only interviewee to remark that these days, how you fare on social media, and particularly TikTok, is as likely to be a bellwether for future career prospects as a spin on a radio show. Derek wonders whether a modern day U2 would make it as a far as album three or four, while James remarks that today, thanks to the internet, everything is effectively available all the time, instantly: 'You have multifaceted trends happening at the same time.' There we were, now here we are. Are we in danger of drowning in a sea of nostalgia? According to Gavin, absolutely not. 'The biggest rock and roll comeback of all time is coming,' he says with relish. Live Forever will be 15 years on the go by next January. 'We always play it down but the people who come to our show, they're supporters of the band, and they say 'you constantly deliver'. I think we are more than a tribute band … we are normal working class lads out living a dream.' Music can always exert its strange power. James Bermingham recalls the time he played a gig in a place near Sydney, Australia. 'We did a venue where the promoter forgot to promote the show, and the warm-up act was a thrash metal band, and I said 'how am I going to do this?' The other band said to try George's song Freedom 90. I went up and did that song with them, they stayed on for my set, it was all pop and glam, and those fans who were there for the death metal band stayed for the full hour of my set. Careless Whisper... they knew that song inside out.' Live Forever will play Whelans Dublin from 2pm before Oasis take the stage in Croke Park on August 16 and 17. Tickets from Abbaesque play Gleneagle Arena, Kerry on August 9 and Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick on September 20. Tickets from The Ultimate George Michael Tribute performs at Palmerstown House Estate, Kildare on July 25. Tickets from Read More Tom Dunne: Bruce Springsteen gives us an early Christmas gift
Buzz Feed
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
35 Products Reviewers Have Hyped Up — And They've Got A Point
The Ordinary's Multi-Depth Hydration Serum — it combines the hydrating power of hyaluronic acid with the hydration-locking powers of vitamin B5 and the skin-barrier-supporting powers of ceramides. That's the most dynamic trio since Donna and the Dynamos. Those blinding "Super Trouper" lights they were singing about?? It was actually just your glowing skin. ✨ A next-level toothbrush your dentist will be so ridiculously proud of you for using. It has the standard bristles you'd expect from any toothbrush, but the game-changer is the extra-long bristles that are 10x thinner — meaning they can reach in between teeth and under the gum line to help sweep away food and residue. A pack of silicone scar sheets that 12,000 reviewers have raved over for lightening both old and new scars. The reusable strips are made of medical-grade silicone, which can help reduce moisture loss and increase hydration. All you have to do is remove the adhesive backing and place them on your scar 12–24 hours a day. A pair of handheld scrapers to make your cast iron pans look as good as the day you bought them. It's gentle enough to use on nonstick surfaces, and unlike a sponge, this won't trap a bunch of food particles that are hard to rinse out. Now you can spend less time cleaning and more time whipping up culinary masterpieces. An Eos Vanilla Cashmere shea butter body lotion that gives brands like Bath and Body Works and Philosophy a run for their money. Not only does it smell like a caramel-vanilla dream, but it also includes shea butter and shea oil for a light touch of moisture that won't take 3,000 years to absorb. A tub of The Pink Stuff, which has become so TikTok-famous it's racked up 153,000 positive ratings. It'll completely revitalize your sink, bathtub, and neglected ovens with the help of a little elbow grease. A super cheerful set of gel pens in a vibrant gradient design and with buttery-smooth ink that'll have you jumping to volunteer first to take notes in your next work meeting. They're also super fast-drying, so no worries about accidentally smearing your extremely thorough to-do list. An antifungal balm made with antibacterial tea tree oil and moisturizing olive oil that tells itchy, dry skin to take a hike. Speaking of hikes, it's safe for use on your underarms, groin, feet, and any other areas that tend to get sweaty while you're out enjoying the nice weather! You can apply this to help treat current skin issues or as a preventative measure before hitting the gym... and especially the gym showers. 🤢 A pumice cleaning stone to break down all of the nastiness in your toilet and have it looking sparkly and presentable when you have last-minute guests over. Just wet it with water, get to scrubbing, then store it in the included carrying case until your next deep-cleaning session! A CeraVe eye cream that uses the power of hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and smooth the delicate skin under your eyes, including fine lines. The fragrance-free formula makes it perfect for sensitive skin, and reviewers say it works wonderfully under concealer. And! NYX's Bare With Me Concealer Serum if you're looking for under-eye coverage in a super lightweight formula. The serum-like consistency is meant to provide a natural medium-weight finish, and reviewers say it works wonders for covering acne scarring and hyperpigmentation without looking cakey. A leather cleaner to polish up and add some shine to any furniture, shoes, or accessories that have seen better days. It requires ZERO scrubbing, just spray, wipe, and let dry. The formula is also fragrance-free, so you won't have to worry about your recliner smelling like lemony chemicals. A lightweight gel-cream from Nivea that uses the magic of an ingredient called ~Q10~ to help firm and moisturize your skin — and it's racked up more than 17,000 rave ratings. Reviewers say it takes consistent use over a few weeks to see results, but those who stuck with it have seen changes in the smoothness of their neck, thighs, and more. The ChomChom pet hair remover roller — it'll pick up each and every stray hair your fur baby leaves in their wake this time of year. It's perfect for restoring your couch back to its former glory or making your car's seats look presentable again. Reviewers especially love this one (it's a constant best-seller on Amazon) since it only takes a few rolls back and forth to pick up the toughest pet hair, and the quick-release button makes it a breeze to remove the fur from the roller brush. A foot peeling spray if you're looking for a fast-acting, super convenient way to get rid of dead skin pronto. Just spray a few spritzes on clean feet, rub off dead skin (the formula will start to roll up into tiny balls to help you exfoliate!), then wash it off! A pair of sandals that reviewers say could go toe-to-toe with waaaaay more expensive Birkenstocks. They say these are even more soft and cushiony right out of the box yet still feel supportive enough to keep your feet comfy during a full day of errand running. A pomade hair wax stick — it'll be a major timesaver on those days when you want to smooth down flyaways, cowlicks, or set baby hairs into place. Just swipe it over any targeted areas you want to smooth and it'll provide some seriously strong hold without any sticky residue. A cruelty-free lengthening Essence mascara with a whopping 265,727 5-star ratings and some seriously impressive before and after photos. Oh, did I mention it's UNDER $5 and comparable to Tarte?! Unlike other mascaras at similar price points, reviewers say this one doesn't easily clump or smudge throughout the day and is suitable for sensitive eyes. A bottle of earwax removal drops — it uses fizzy microfoam action to break down all the stubborn wax that's been clogging up your ears for way too long now. Just apply five to 10 drops to your ear, keep your head tilted for several minutes to let the carbamide peroxide loosen your hardened ear wax, then flush away any remaining wax with warm water in a bulb or syringe. A wire-free bra with a whopping 32,000+ rave ratings from reviewers who say it's super lightweight (like, you might forget you even have it on) while still feeling supportive. Oh — and the straps don't flip and get contorted throughout the day! Imagine not daydreaming about going home so you can finally take your bra off!!! A pack of purse-friendly Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes so you can take the exact amount of makeup wipes you need on vacay instead of bringing an entire pouch or a bulky jar of cleaning balm. You can also bring one with you to refresh your skin while you're gallivanting about, or just running errands in hot weather. An electric toothbrush that's way less expensive than pricier brands like Sonicare – and some reviewers say it works just as well, if not better 👀. It has four cleaning modes to swap between and a helpful two-minute timer so you can stop relying solely on vibes to determine when you've brushed long enough. A super convenient D'alba Piedmont spray-on serum to help you get that dewy ~glass skin~ glow in just a few spritzes — so it's perfect for all my fellow lazy skincare lovers. The secret is the Italian white truffle extract, which is meant to help hydrate and brighten. It's also formulated with niacinamide to help even out skin tone and hyaluronic acid for extra moisture. A long-lasting Wet n Wild lipstick that'll cost you less than $2. Yes, you read that right — you can get a super pigmented lippie for less than the price of a McDouble. It's formulated with aloe vera for a silky-smooth feel on the lips, and there are more than 20 vibrant shades to choose from. Skip that $32 lipstick that's in your Sephora cart and pick up about 16 of these instead!! An all-purpose scrubber kit to turn your power drill into the ultimate cleaning tool you never knew you needed. The nylon bristles won't leave behind any scratches, so you can scrub away without worrying about ruining your tub, toilet, baseboards, or any other surface that needs an intense cleaning. An Ogx air-dry leave-in cream, which will give you Sephora-level results at a drugstore-level price. Now you can stop dreaming of buying one of those $400+ blow-dryers — this lets you air-dry your way to bouncy waves! The coconut oil and shea butter add extra moisture, while the citrus oils help add shine to your curls. A handheld garment steamer to get those pesky wrinkles out of clothes without worrying about pulling out the ironing board. It heats up in 30 seconds, and one tank will give you 15 minutes of continuous use. Reviewers say it's super lightweight and they can get a surprising amount of clothes done with just one tank. A pair of crossover flared leggings, which might have you checking your bank statement to make sure you didn't accidentally drop twice the money on these at Aerie. Reviewers are obsessed with the crossover waistband that provides extra comfort and a bit of shaping support, while the flowy flare design is giving a touch of Mamma Mia with a dash of Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl. A wildly popular rosemary mint hair-strengthening oil that'll coat your scalp in 30 essential oils and biotin. The rosemary and mint can help provide a stimulating, refreshing effect on your scalp, while biotin has been known to help with hair fullness. Veet's sensitive hair removal gel so you can skip that waxing appointment and spare yourself the awkward small talk. It's formulated with aloe, so it's perfect for anyone who typically deals with redness and irritation after hair removal. It's also meant to provide longer-lasting results when compared to traditional shaving and reduce the chance of ingrowns. Be prepared to pat yourself on your smooth, hairless back! A cleaning kit that'll make your ceramic cooktop look as shiny and flawless as the day you moved in. The kit comes with a bottle of cleaner, a cleaning pad, and a heavy-duty scraper that are all designed to break down burnt-on foods and tough stains. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream, because your décolletage also deserves some special skincare attention. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while glycerin and aloe add some extra hydration. Reviewers say it takes a few applications to see results — so start using it now, then marvel at your results later! An all-purpose car upholstery cleaner to clean up all the stains left on your seats from the time you spilled your Dunkin' order everywhere. It works on leather, carpet, vinyl, and plastic — so you can spritz it basically anywhere and get to scrubbing as the ~nano-technology~ helps lift away dirt and grime. Do I know exactly what ~nano-technology~ is? No!!! Do I suddenly want to use it to clean absolutely everything? Yes!!! An Anua pore-clearing cleansing oil that's specifically designed to help regulate your sebum production and break down blackheads, making it a great option for all my fellow oily-skinned peeps. It also helps break down makeup, so you can finally stop wasting money on makeup-removing wipes! A pack of two dark spot corrector soap bars packed with tons of vitamin C and turmeric — aka the ultimate superhero ingredients for potentially brightening and reviving dull skin. Reviewers have had luck using this on both the face and body — but we recommend giving it a patch test first on a small area to see how your skin reacts. All good? Then start sudsing away!
Al Etihad
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
MAMMA MIA! brings romance, comedy and iconic ABBA music to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena this week
9 June 2025 00:04 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Book your tickets and pack your bags. You're heading off to an idyllic Greek island wedding, where you'll be treated to romance and comedy - all to the iconic music of 70s supergroup ABBA. That's right, the hit musical MAMMA MIA! is being staged right here at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi from June 11 to by Proactiv Entertainment in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, MAMMA MIA! follows the story of a young woman, Sophie Sheridan, on the verge of marriage, as she tries to uncover the identity of her father. The plot unfolds through a series of interactions between Sophie, her mother Donna, and three men from Donna's past-told through a soundtrack of ABBA's popular cast features Steph Parry as Donna Sheridan and Ellie Kingdon as Sophie. They are joined by Richard Standing (Sam Carmichael), Stuart Reid (Harry Bright) and William Hazell (Father Alexander). The show is directed by Phyllida Lloyd and produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn than 30 cast and crew members will bring the story to life, with music including well-known ABBA songs such as Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Voulez-Vous, and Thank You for the its debut in London's West End in 1999, MAMMA MIA! has celebrated 25 years of success, captivating more than 65 million people across the 2008, MAMMA MIA! was made into a feature film. The cast included Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. In 2018, the sequel MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again! was released. The cast included Cher, Lily James, Jeremy Irvine and Hugh Skinner.
Rhyl Journal
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
My review of Abba Voyage: what was the new setlist like?
So goes the beginning of the song that catapulted Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid to fame at the Brighton Dome all those years ago. It also sums up my reaction, to put it mildly, when I saw a man cutting a similar figure to one quarter of pop's greatest group walking my way. Although his hair was now grey, and he was wearing a more demure look compared to the glittery flared jumpsuit of his heyday, it was clear that I was in the presence of music royalty. Me with the back of Benny's head - a brush with stardom (Image: NQ) So how do you think I reacted when, just moments later, Anni-Frid also joined Benny? Only a big occasion could draw half of Abba together – and this turned out to be the third anniversary of Abba Voyage, the ground-breaking show which has arguably changed the future of music concerts forever. Ahead of the milestone show, which saw new tracks like The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me added, a variety of industry figures enjoyed a tipple and canapes outside the arena at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Anna-Frid and Benny outside the arena (Image: Abba Voyage) While Benny and Anni-Frid were understandably the star attraction, the glitterati were also out to play. During my celeb-spotting I saw Matthew Horne of Gavin and Stacey fame, Richard Arnold off the morning telly sporting an Abba Voyage blazer, Denise Van Outen cutting a rug in a tent dance floor, and (arguably most tantalisingly of all) the back of Ian Beale's head. Suitably lubricated with some Champagne and canapes, I ventured inside to take my seat for the main event. Denise Van Outen and Richard Arnold (Image: Abba Voyage) By now the concept is well established: using cutting-edge motion capture technology and other technical wizardry I won't pretend to understand, the quartet have been turned into digital avatars who can move like they used to back in their heyday. The initial buzz saw diehard fans and the curious alike flock to the purpose-built stadium to size up the spectacle for themselves. But it turns out it was not a one and done novelty experience, having a longevity that has surprised even the founding members. The opening moments of the show (Image: Abba Voyage) 'When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us,' they said in a statement released after the event. 'Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience.' They certainly showed up in force – a sea of bedazzled outfits, merch and feather boas in front of us in the dance floor area. As the lights went down and the abbatars rose up from 'under' the stage, the crowd erupted in applause and the show was underway. Money, Money, Money was a crowd pleaser (Image: Abba Voyage) I will say I totally understand the hype surrounding the projections themselves – from where they are positioned and the way they move, they do look totally realistic, right down to how Agnetha's dress sashayed during a rousing rendition of Money, Money, Money. The big screens are not quite as breathtakingly uncanny, the close-ups appearing more like high-quality video game characters than the 'real thing'. But the show plays on this with a knowing nod, leaning into rather than against the multimedia aspect. Some amazing lighting effects were deployed (Image: Abba Voyage) At one end of the spectrum, you had live singers and a band performing Does Your Mother Know; at the other, the abbatars danced behind archival performance footage of Waterloo, projected onto sheer fabric screens. There was even an animated film mythologising the band which played during intervals (while the headliners might not need to use the bathroom, the crowd certainly did). How strange it must be to see yourself presented like a god, I thought, as I glanced over to Benny and Anni-Frid in their VIP box. For most of the show the pair were inscrutable, Benny leaning over the railing watching intently with the focus of a director assessing the minutiae of this new incarnation of the show. Benny and Anni-Frid wave at the crowd after the show (Image: NQ) Seeing them, in the flesh, reacting to de-aged holograms of themselves was another fascinating metaphysical layer in the whole experience, and a privilege to boot. Anyway, back to the main event. Starting off with lesser known hits and pared back staging, with the abbatars taking centre stage, this set up a sense we were watching 'proper artists'. But soon enough, the stage exploded into technicolour with 'costume' changes galore. READ MORE: I tried Brighton's first seafood boil restaurant - and it was fishy heaven The abbatars even had some banter with the crowd – the only hint they weren't speaking live being the lack of reaction when the crowd laughed or cheered. Given Agnetha's historical prominence, it was nice to see Anni-Frid take centre stage during several numbers. Her 'speech' dedicating Fernando to her grandmother under starry skies was an emotional touch. The big guns went off, so to speak, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! being a personal favourite which got everyone on their feet. My unexpected favourite moment came from a gasp-worthy transition into Summer Night City, which saw the foursome wear their now-distinctive Abba Voyage spacesuits. The venue in all its glory (Image: NQ) Of the two new songs in Abba's repertoire, Don't Shut Me Down was superior – blending in seamlessly with their imperial back catalogue. Thank You For The Music hinted that the end of the night was drawing close – but there were still two of the band's biggest songs to play. Dancing Queen and The Winner Takes it All, the yin and yang that symbolises Abba's appeal, served as the perfect way to end the performance. In a normal show, the 'surprise' ending which sees contemporised abbatars take a bow would be enough to turn heads. But the gaze of the crowd by this stage was firmly on the real deals behind them, presented to the pair as a sea of phone lights and clapping hands. A sweet exchange saw Anni-Frid giggle nervously when Benny passed her a mic on the fly to give a speech. They mouthed something to each other, and in that moment, it felt the years melted away; you could see a bond forged through a history only the two of them (in that room, at least) could understand. She went with a classic message, thanking the crowd, before declaring 'I'm turning 80 this year', to rapturous applause. (Interestingly, the one time the pair raised their hands in applause themselves was when the live band took their bows.) Cut to the next day, and here I was - back again outside the stadium by Pudding Mill Lane tube station (a name the band were not a fan of, they revealed the night before). It was quiet, all signs of glitz and glamour gone along with the stars. In amongst all the excitement, I'd forgotten to take a photo of myself at the venue for this review. While I struggled to get a half-decent selfie, a lady wearing an Abba necklace and T-shirt came over and offered to take one for me – if I could also do the same for her in return, she said. We got chatting and it turned out she had visited the night before from Amsterdam – but still preserving the Irish lilt of her homeland. Even the slightest mention of what she thought of the show had her welling up with tears, such was the emotional impact. So don't take my word for it – it really does have to be seen to be believed. My room at The Gantry (Image: NQ) During my trip, I stayed at The Gantry Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Conveniently located opposite Stratford International tube station, a short ride away from Pudding Mill Lane, this is a great choice for an overnight stay to see the show. With a selection of restaurants, including the STK steakhouse on the rooftop of the building and Union Social for a more casual lunch and dinner, you've also got a nice meal covered too. The lunch menu ranges from small plates to a beef ragu and burger; I tried the former and found it to be meaty and satisfying. The Book of Hedonism lived up to its name (Image: NQ) Preceded by a Book of Hedonism - a caramel cocktail concoction made with a selection of scotch, whisky and rum and served in a smoking book-shaped box - it also had a touch of drama. The room, meanwhile, was well furnished and had fantastic views of Stratford; I'm a sucker for a floor to ceiling window. A comfy deluxe king bed also meant I could rest my weary head after a night to remember.
