ABBA Voyage: Band announce ‘revolutionary’ concert and brand new album

Just in case you were too busy earlier screaming at the news of ABBA reuniting, here is everything that went down at tonight’s announcement - the new singles, album and “revolutionary” concert residency.

Those involved in brining the concert residency to the stage next year have been speaking about the news of ABBA’s reunion finally being announced today.

A statement said: “The ABBA Voyage concert is made with the help of: Producer Svana Gisla (David Bowie Blackstar/Lazarus, Beyoncé and Jay Z for HBO, Springsteen and I), Producer Ludvig Andersson (And Then We Danced, Yung Lean - “In My Head”, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Director Baillie Walsh (Flashbacks of a Fool, Being James Bond, Springsteen and I), Co-Executive Producer Johan Renck (Spaceman, David Bowie Blackstar/Lazarus, Chernobyl) and Choreographer Wayne McGregor CBE (The Royal Ballet, Company Wayne McGregor, Paris Opera Ballet).

Svana Gisla, Producer, and Ludvig Andersson, producer said: “The magic of ABBA and the herculean efforts of this whole magnificent team reaches a long awaited milestone today. To be able to finally share this endeavour with the world is a proud moment for us and we can’t wait to welcome you to our arena in East London, a place where we are so happy to be.”

Baillie Walsh, director added:“I watched ABBA win the Eurovision song contest in 1974, and never did I imagine that 47 years later I would be with them on this extraordinary voyage. Life is weird and wonderful sometimes.”

Wayne McGregor, choreographer said: “Imagine: growing up in the North of England in the 70’s and learning to ballroom, Latin and disco dance to the incredible songs of ABBA. I was 8 and I was totally transported. Fast forward to 2020, being in Sweden and dancing with ABBA - in real life! I was about to be 50 and I was totally transported again. That is the magic of ABBA. We have shared many creative and joyful adventures with a bold collaborative team to make the impossible possible for ABBA Voyage: technological wizardry, state of the art immersion and entertainment innovation. And still at its searing heart we simply have new songs, new moves, classic songs, classic moves: ABBA is DANCE and always will be. See you on the dancefloor”.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group added: “From the very beginning of my career, and having had the privilege to work with them directly for many years since, it’s been a tremendous joy to be surrounded by ABBA and their music. Their boundless creativity and timeless melodies makes us want to partner with them on everything they do because we know it will be simply great.”

And here’s all the info on how to get those tickets once again:

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus has been speaking to Zane Lowe about the reunion.

On being asked what led to them getting back together, Ulvaeus said: “We knew that we had these bonds, obviously. We’d see each other every now and then, but it was especially clear when we were in the studio for the first time for this album, together, because that was so strange and wonderful at the same time. Everything came rushing back, like it was yesterday. “This was a very familiar, normal situation we were in, the four of us. “Yeah. Okay. We’re recording,” like it was yesterday. I looked around and I looked into Agnetha’s eyes and Frida’s eyes and there was the same kind of feeling, the warmth and the friendship and the bonds, between us that, as you suddenly realise no one on earth has experienced this kind of relationship that we have because, thinking about it, it’s true, nobody else has. Sadly, people die and they don’t stay on friendly terms for their whole lives, but we have. And I’m so incredibly happy for that.”

He also opened up about the new songs – and the fact that new album “Voyage” is a direct follow up to their last, 1981 album, “The Visitors”.

Ulvaeus said: “Benny and I wrote and we recorded the songs as best we could and it just happened to be a lot of people out there who liked it. And we’re doing the same thing now. We’re holding our noses and diving. Anything can happen. We don’t know how this will be received, we just know that we’re as proud of this as we were back in the ‘70s. This is the followup of “The Visitors”. It’s 40 years apart, but it’s still very much the latest album, if you know what I mean. I don’t see it as a standalone thing. We take all that wonderful baggage that we have with us into this production, as well.

On new single, “I Still Have Faith In You”, Ulvaeus said: “When Benny sent me a demo of that melody, I knew it had to be about us, but at the same time, lots of people in lots of situations will find that, yeah, this is about them, too, because I love to have hidden layers in the lyrics. And “I Still Have Faith In You” can be read in many different ways. “I mean, you get what’s face value and that’s about us, but the others, you’ll have to think, yourself. We didn’t know what to expect when we went into the studio. We knew that, “Oh, it might just be that we don’t have it anymore,” and then realising that we have something to give and something to say. That was an incredible feeling. In both songs, as you say, there is a lot of that, the happiness and joy of being able to come back like this and being proud of it.”

You can listen to the full interview here:

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus told Zane Lowe earlier this evening that he was prepared for Frida and Agnetha to say no to a reunion.

He explained: “We were prepared for them saying no. Yes. It would’ve been understandable, but no, they didn’t, because they’re both...They like the creative side of things. Pop star glamour, we’re all totally unimpressed by that, but to be creative in the studio, that’s something else, just to be us, just to try things and see what it sounds like. That is something that none of them ever has been negative towards, I think. It’s just that, somehow, it never happened. It’s strange it took this long, but now it did, all of a sudden. Some key turned and...yeah. No, I can’t think of any moment that we seriously or one of us seriously wanted to do something and the others said no. All these 40 years, we’ve been quite unanimous in not wanting to do something.”

“We ended, and for creative reasons. We ended because we felt the energy was running out in the studio, because we didn’t have as much fun in the studio as we did this time. And that’s why we said, “Let’s go on a break.” And we never said, “This is it. We’ve split and we’ll never reunite again.” We never said that. We just said back then that we’d go on a break. And this break has now ended. Sounds strange…”

Thank goodness they said yes. Phew.

Listen to the full interview here:

Fans have been reacting all evening to the new ABBA avatars. Some think they look like they’re from Tron: The Legacy, others are comparing them to the Power Rangers. Either way, nobody really cares because they’re just thrilled ABBA are back and here to save us all. Heroes.

The Independent’s first review of the two new ABBA tracks are in.

Reviewing “I Still Have Faith In You’’, Roisin O’Connor said: “Over beautifully tender piano notes we hear Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad come together in dignified harmony. “How inconceivable it is to reach this far,” they sing. “Do I have it in me?” Military drums strike up in the distance, a power guitar line plays, and cue the chorus. It is simply joyous.”

And on “Don’t Shut Me Down”, Roisin added: “Opening on the ripple of a harp and swooning strings. Oh, and that piano roll! Into a boogie rhythm that shivers deliciously against a low-thrumming bassline and starry synths...How splendid it is to have them back.”

Read the full review here:

Well, what an extraordinary evening. One of the greatest musical comebacks in history took place earlier today when ABBA announced their return after almost 40 years away.

And what a return: two wonderful new singles, an album announcement and a “revolutionary” new concert which will see digital avatars of ABBA take to the stage –using technology created in George Lucas’ studio no less. Oh, and they’re even getting their own concert venue for the occasion (they’re ABBA after all).

In a statement the group said: It’s been a while since we made music together. Almost 40 years, actually. We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it. They say it’s foolhardy to wait more than 40 years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up to “The Visitors”. To tell the truth, the main inspiration to record again comes from our involvement in creating the strangest and most spectacular concert you could ever dream of. We’re going to be able to sit back in an audience and watch our digital selves perform our songs on a stage in a custom-built arena in London next spring. Weird and wonderful!

“To all of you who patiently have followed us in some way or another these past decades: It’s been an emotional evening for fans young and old - but one thing’s for certain, everyone is thrilled at the joyous news this evening.”

“So, again, thanks for waiting! We hope to see you in the “ABBA Arena” and yes – see – because we have infused a good deal of our souls into those avatars. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we’re back.”

Here’s a round up of the full announcement earlier, details on how to get tickets for their London residency and a recap of all the fan reaction.

Thanks for joining me - I’m off to listen to the songs all over again. Bye!