When is a gig not a gig…. but it is a gig? The ABBA Voyage Experience in London was a gig not like any other, but still one of THE “live” experiences of my lifetime, and I would imagine, the next… While I was cynical when I first read there was going to be an ABBA experience featuring avatars, or should I say Abba-tars of the fabulous four (yeah I know that “title” has been taken), any cynicism started to reduce over time as everyone I know who had been regaled me with tales of how good it was. It’s not just the show itself, not one detail has been overlooked with highly organised entry, bars and merchandise stalls putting other entertainment venues to shame.
I don’t think there was an ounce of cynicism left when I got to Pudding Mill Lane station and crossed the road to the impressive looking custom built arena. The only feeling I had now was one of childlike awe, as I wandered wide eyed into the Arena taking in every detail of the venue and beaming with joy as I got my picture taken under the ABBA voyage logo. Like many people of my age, I imagine, the first ever music I owned, as an 11 year old, was an ABBA album, the cassette of Super Trouper being a gift from Santa in 1980, and subsequently played to death.
Walking into the main hall, through colourfully lit white corridors, raised anticipation levels and excitement further, atmospheric music and dramatic lighting enveloping you like a warm hug while in front of the stage a forest scene with mysterious dashing lights running though the trees played with your imagination. There was a buzz around the arena, as people of all ages and from all around the world – behind us Sweden and… Glasgow, to our left England and… Glasgow (none of us sick and tired of anything…), and in front of us the USA – bristled with electric charge anticipating what was about to happen.
As stage time approached an announcement came over the arena tannoy about no filming or photography, at risk of ejection. An understandable message, as nothing can prepare you for what you are about to witness and nothing recorded on a mobile device could EVER recreate the moments of sheer jaw dropping joy and amazement that run through your entire being. In fact, seeing any footage in advance would have spoiled the childlike Christmas Eve feeling of nervous expectancy. You know what you’re going to see… but you don’t really know what you’re going to experience…
What was about to meet my eyes and ears as the band struck up the opening bars of The Visitors is almost beyond description. This was performance art that took in the whole arena, the lightshow in itself was stunning, initially creating UFOs, adding to the unbelievable nature of every single second of the 90 minute extravaganza. My brain lying to me for the duration as I “witnessed” a performance from a band that was there… but wasn’t there. I, and every other member of the captivated crowd sang along, shouted and screamed as if it was the 1970s all over again and the iconic quartet were really there on the stage in front of us. I’m not going to lie, I touched my face at this point and the tears were in free flow, a strange mix of joy and melancholy, which would be repeated several times including during a phenomenal Thank You For the Music.
Nothing I say here can do this show justice, the remarkable ABBA-tars (I still can’t believe I wasn’t witnessing 4 people live on that stage), the cleverly edited “live” footage on the big screens mixing ABBA with shots of the live band, details like costume changes, the band interacting with the audience, incredible animations, and superb CGI videos, including a major WOW moment transition as video of ABBA in their Tron like costumes playing Lay All Your Love on Me segued into a “live stage” performance of Summer Night City. I can’t really explain how sensational the whole experience was, suffice to say the whole stage managing of the event was second to none. Special mention must go to the superb live band and backing singers, with “Bjorn” giving them their own chance to shine.
At the end of a life affirming set mixing their pop bangers (I still don’t quite understand people who say they don’t like ABBA songs – not even one?) with songs from their comeback album, for the umpteenth time that evening, I wiped tears from my eyes as the lights came up and the ecstatic crowd made their way for the exits. I’m sure many, like me, wishing that the good feeling could last forever.
All I can say is, look past the price of tickets, and if you can afford it, you MUST go, there is nothing else to say. You cannot begin to imagine what it is actually like until you immerse yourself in the whole experience.
“I ask in all honesty, what would life be… without a song and a dance, what are we?”
This may have been the most expensive gig (not gig) I have ever been to, as part of one of the most expensive weekends I’ve ever experienced, having been to Wimbledon Centre Court the day before, (two bucket list items in one weekend!) but… I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT. And we WILL go back to Voyage despite the cost, such was the life affirming nature of the event.
ABBA Voyage Official Website – 2023 ABBA Concert in London