ABBA fab after 43-year break
THEIR pop career has made them millions, but when ABBA returned to a London stage for the first time in 43 years, they left Money Money Money off the set list.
Dropping the 1976 hit may have been a nod to Britain’s cost of living crisis – although fans still faced eye-watering prices for food, drink and souvenirs.
This time around the Swedish pop giants – Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni- Frid Lyngstad – appeared as avatars in glittery 1970s costumes at a purpose-built stadium in Stratford, East London.
Fans whooped and cheered as the band started rehearsing for next week’s launch with The Visitors.
Benny’s digitally produced lifelike self came on stage and said: “To be or not to be? That is no longer the question. So this is how it feels to travel through time and space. And never getting any older.
“I will tell you I am the real Benny, not just an image. I look very good for my age.
“The last time we played London was in 1979. It is a long time ago.”
The crowd went wild, which must have been a relief for the reallife versions of the band.
They have worked tirelessly to produce the no-expense-spared show using cutting-edge holographic technology to capture them singing the songs, while retro-styling them to look as they did in their heyday.
Backed by a live band, the set included a piano solo of God Save The Queen performed by Benny before a rousing rendition of chart-topper SOS.
It was 90 minutes of pure joy, with fans dancing and singing along to hits like Knowing Me, Knowing You, Chiquitita, Fernando, Mamma Mia! and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
They also performed tracks from their new album, including Don’t Shut Me Down and I Still Have Faith In You.
Locals had been invited to attend the show rehearsals ahead of Thursday’s big launch.
They were banned from using mobiles, which had to be placed in plastic bags until the end of the performance, with the warning: “This show has been five years in the making.”
Fans skipped through the stadium in delight but were stopped in their tracks by the high merchandise prices.
A souvenir bottle of water cost £4.50, doughnuts £4.50, knitted sweatshirts £70, satin jackets £120 and large Abba blankets £100.
ABBA are one of the best-selling music acts of all time, with record sales estimated to be between 150 million to 385 million worldwide. They are also one of the best-selling singles artists in the UK, with their biggest hit being 1976’s Dancing Queen.
ABBA’S Voyage opens in London on Thursday. For more information, see abbavoyage.com