ABBA are, undeniably, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. I’m not just saying that as a huge fan who’s seen Mamma Mia! countless times and is obsessed with the theatre production - because you try listening to Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! without singing along and doing a little Tony Manero disco jive. It’s impossible.
And now, 40 years since their last London show, they’re back on stage - sort of - with a revolutionary new concert: ABBA Voyage.
Set in the magnificent purpose-built ABBA Arena in London’s Pudding Mill Lane, the intimate 3,000 capacity venue sees Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad perform digitally with some of the most sophisticated cutting-edge CGI technology first seen in the likes of Star Wars and Marvel films. And I got a front row ticket.
Arriving at the venue, ABBA’s name was lit up across the futuristic building - one designed to be collapsible and easy to ship across the country relatively sustainably. Perhaps that means we could potentially see it have a Manchester residency in the future - I certainly hope so.
Inside, ticketholders are directed to their seats or the ‘dancefloor’, which is a very apt name for the standing area, because not a single person in that room could resist tapping their toes and swaying their hips to Voulez-Vous or Waterloo.
I sidled up to the barrier where the gentleman beside me told me it was his second time seeing the show this year. It gave me confidence that the show was one that people would want to see time and time again, from different perspectives and corners of the room. He pondered: “I don’t know if we’re too close?” However, I wanted to be as close as possible to see this unusual avatar technology and like many others, see if I could find the faults from the front row.
When the lights dimmed and the four iconic 70s musicians began to rise up from out of the stage floor, my jaw dropped. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Despite being way ahead of the curve back in the 70s, ABBA’s latest venture feels lightyears ahead of its time, much like Bohemian Rhapsody or David Bowie’s extravagant performances.
Directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson, ABBA are re-imagined as 21st century pop stars that look as real as ever. You could almost reach out to touch them, with their avatars - dubbed ABBAtars - appearing unimaginably realistic.
The digital ABBA’s were created in collaboration with legendary vfx company, Industrial Light & Magic following weeks and months of motion-capture and performance techniques with the four band members, and it really is next level stuff.
They opened with The Visitors, followed by Whole In Your Soul and a crowd-pleasing SOS complete with EastEnders intro before bursting into Knowing Me, Knowing You, where the bedazzling stars headed ‘off-stage’ for a costume change, making it all the more realistic.
Those like me who spent the first two songs looking for faults in the fabric of the performance give up within minutes, aside from the slightest blur during an energetic rush across the stage, you’ll not find one. If you’d had a beer, you’d never notice.
It doesn’t take long to find yourself fully immersed in the experience singing to Chiquitita, Fernando and Mamma Mia as the astonishingly believable musicians glide across the stage, interacting with each other, and sharing personal stories with the audience, with Benny even making well-timed jokes as they headed into Does Your Mother Know.
By the half-way point, any doubts about the technology dissipates and you truly feel as though you are in the presence of the Eurovision song contest winners. If you hadn’t already been told the hologram-style performers weren’t human, you’d probably never have noticed that they weren’t really there on stage and in the flesh.
Further bringing to life this masterpiece of a production is a live 10-piece band, who during the 95 minute concert are on stage the entire time, including three fantastic backing vocalists, with almost 300 speakers projecting sound in every direction.
ABBAs choreography was carried out by Wayne McGregor CBE, with 70s velvet jumpsuits, embellished glittering capes and video-game-esque LED bodysuits designed by B Åkerlund in collaboration with designers Dolce & Gabbana, Manish Arora, Erevos Aether and Michael Schmidt. This really is a no expense spared show to make it look and feel like the real deal, rather than a doppelganger waxwork.
ABBA Voyage was everything I wanted from an ABBA concert and more, full of energy, hits and surprises. The fact that you’re banned from taking photos and filmings means those experiencing ABBA Voyage for the first time can do so without spoilers, because there is nothing that can prepare you for this extraordinary experience.
ABBA Voyage has opened up a world of possibilities for the musicians of the past, present and future. This technology could be used to resurrect lost artists like David Bowie, Elvis Presley and Amy Winehouse, allowing their live performances to live on forever. Which other artists can we immortalise for decades to come?
All that’s left to ask is - when is it coming to Manchester? Well sadly, it won’t be any time soon, as ABBA Voyage is now booking until 27th November 2023 with more dates to be released. However, I am very hopeful for this incredible spectacle that feels both nostalgic and futuristic to venture up north, because I believe that everyone needs to experience ABBA Voyage at LEAST once.
For more information, or to book tickets to go to and see ABBA Voyage, visit abbavoyage.com .
How to buy Abba Voyage tickets
You can buy official Abba Voyage tickets on Ticketmaster. Tickets can cost anywhere from £50, with the most expensive tickets cost more than £200.
Where is Abba Voyage
Abba Voyage takes place in the Abba Arena, a custom built concert venue in Stratford, East London, next to Pudding Mill Lane station. It has a capacity of 3,000, and can be folded away and shipped elsewhere.
The address is Abba Arena, 1 Pudding Mill Lane, London, E15 2RU.
Where to stay
I’d recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency London Stratford , which is a 20 minute walk to and from the stadium, or just one tube stop from Stratford to the DfL. Located in the midst of Stratford’s Westfield shopping centre, there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops nearby, and shops to check out ahead of the show.
Inside are 225 guestrooms and 10 suites, so you’re always likely to find a room available. The rooms themselves are stunning and spacious, with smart modern bathrooms and a wealth of facilities available throughout the hotel, including a restaurant, bar terrace, gym, room service and breakfast.
If you’re visiting for the Abba Voyage concert, it’s worth getting the bed and breakfast deal on the website - and trust me, it’s worth it. The address is 10A Chestnut Plaza, Stratford City, London, E20 1GL.
The organisers have since confirmed that there are no plans for the show to leave London.
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