There are some things in your life that you’ll probably never get over and words can’t really do justice to and being at the premiere of ABBA’s Voyage show in London is, without any shadow of a doubt, one of those.
Having pretty much being force fed ABBA Gold as a back seat passenger every time we headed on a family road trip as a child, they have been a musical constant in my life. And unlike other car CD player regulars of my youth, they’re an act I am only too happy to hear again and again and again.
I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced a wave of excitement on the level of the electric atmosphere that filled the air at the purpose built ABBA Arena on Thursday, May 26 2022 as A listers like Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss flocked to be there.
It’s a date that will live long in the memory of any ABBA fan and anyone who was at the show, not least because Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida were actually there in the flesh and not just as freakily realistic avatars on screen.
READ MORE: ABBA Voyage setlist as group reunite for red carpet premiere
For those who have tickets to see ABBA Voyage, I’d describe it as the best movie you’ll ever see mixed with the best gig you’ll ever go to. Voyage is more than just a show, Voyage is an experience and a journey to pop perfection.
As well as the appearance, vocals and speaking voices of ABBA’s technological tributes being spot on, the immersive special effects extend way beyond the screens on stage. By the time Gimme Gimme Gimme dropped, the ambience in the room was akin to a packed night club where the music policy was non stop ABBA bangers.
There may well have been pretenders to the throne over the years but it really is as simple as this: no one can top ABBA when it comes to pop. They are, rightly still, put on a pedestal that has them above all others and a night in the ABBA Arena delivers all the evidence as to why.
The likes of SOS, Fernando and Chiquita remain as joyous as ever, Dancing Queen never has and never will get old and The Winner Takes It All is both angsty and anthemic. Find me a song as as lyrically and musically prolific as that and I’ll take my hat off to you.
‘Actual ABBA’, the quickly established collective term for the quartet in human form on launch night, gracing the stage was the cherry on top of a cake that was stupendously satisfying and captivatingly clever.
As a concept, ABBA as avatars perhaps shouldn’t work, but it undoubtedly does.
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