Abba to ‘reunite’ for first time since split

● Swedish supergroup link with Fuller ● Digital and virtual reality tech plans

Swedish pop group Abba will be “reuniting” formally for first time since their split over 30 years ago to work on a project with music mogul Simon Fuller.

The popular quartet – Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Annifrid Lyngstad – parted ways in 1982 after a successful tenyear stint.

The group has announced they will work with Fuller, who rose to fame managing the Spice Girls, on what is being described as a “groundbreaking venture that will utilise the very latest in digital and virtual reality technology”.

Lyngstad said fans around the world always ask about a reunion, and added: “So I hope this new Abba creation will excite them as much as it excites me”.

Andersson added: “We’re inspired by the limitless possibilities of what the future holds and are loving being a part of creating something new and dramatic here. A time machine that captures the essence of who we were. And are.”

The full details of the new project have not been announced but an official release says the foursome will be involved in the creative process with a view to “maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the band’s original vision”. The project says it will will aim to take the Abba experience to a new generation of fans and will enable them to see, hear and feel the band “in a way previously unimagined”.

Fuller said: “The creativity and ideas flowing from the members of Abba over the past few months have filled me with great excitement.

“We are exploring a new technological world, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence at the forefront, that will allow us to create new forms of entertainment and content we couldn’t have previously imagined.”

In June this year the band performed together for the first time in 30 years to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, but they did not perform together to mark the occasion.

Their hits over the years include Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All and Take a Chance On Me.

Their music was adapted into the successful theatre show, Mamma Mia! which was also turned into a 2008 film featuring Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Christine Baranski.

The four members made a rare joint appearance in January for the opening of a Stockholm restaurant inspired by the Mamma Mia! musical.

Afterwinningtheeurovision Song Contest in 1974, Abba sold almost 400 million singles and albums around the world. Mamma Mia! has been seen by more than 50 million people.

During their most successful period, the band survived marriage break-ups between Ulvaeus and Faltskog, and Lyngstad and Andersson, but they finally called it a day in 1983.

The full details of their new project will be announced in 2017.