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Tuesday, August 02, 2022

ABBA Voyage #ABBA #ABBAVoyage "…familiar ABBA tunes were given a glorious make-over, extended, reworked, and (dare I say it) improved. I hope they all see the light of day as a 'live' ABBA Voyage album" Review ->

***SPOILERS (Obviously)***
 
Last night Tim, Andy, Jim, Darren, Stuart, and I went to see ABBA Voyage in London's glitzy Pudding Lane.
 
Starring the four members of ABBA reimagined and de-aged as near-perfect virtual avatars - both Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson looked spot on, Anni-Frid Lyngstad almost there, but Agnetha Fältskog was fairly deep into the 'uncanny valley' - we got to witness a high-octane show of fabulous hit after fabulous hit.
 
The ABBAtars were great, the staging also great, the lighting dazzling, but the sound, boy the sound, was superb. Being a purpose built venue, the designers had complete control over the acoustics. And they did a brilliant job.
 
The vocal performances were based I believe on many original recordings from the ABBA Wembley gig I saw in 1979, augmented with a live band and singers. Little Boots was waving and smiling from behind her keyboards.
 
Yes, the show certainly packed a punch musically.  Many familiar ABBA tunes were given a glorious make-over, extended, reworked, and (dare I say it) improved.  I hope they all see the light of day as a 'live' ABBA Voyage album.
 
The place housed 3,000 people and was a sell-out - 1,350 standing / dancing and 1,650 seated.  Hard to say who had the better view - but if you're short, go for the seats.  Nothing worse than having a tall person blocking your view.
 
My favourite bit:  Mamma Mia (great video show)
Another favourite bit: The disco trio back-to-back of Lay All Your Love on Me, Summer Night City, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
 
 
ABBA Voyage setlist (90 mins, no interval)
 
Skallgång (Benny Andersson cover)
The Visitors
Hole in Your Soul [appearance of band]
SOS
Knowing Me, Knowing You [mainly video screens]
Chiquitita
Fernando
Mamma Mia [video screens]
Does Your Mother Know [gender swapped and sung mainly by the band]
Eagle [to a cartoon]
Lay All Your Love on Me
Summer Night City
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Voulez-Vous [to the 2nd part of the cartoon]
When All Is Said and Done
Don't Shut Me Down
I Still Have Faith in You
Waterloo
Thank You for the Music
Dancing Queen [video clips]
The Winner Takes It All






















 

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