Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad of the Swedish band Abba preparing for the VR Voyage experience
(Picture: PA/ABBA Voyage)Abba star Björn Ulvaeus said he is looking forward to the “privilege” of seeing himself on stage when the group virtually reunite for their futuristic London concerts.
The musician, whose hits include Waterloo, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper, has joined bandmates Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad for the digital gigs.
Abba Voyage uses technology to create CGI versions of the foursome backed by a live band over a 90-minute show.
Ulvaeus told ES Magazine: “It’s such a privilege. No artist has ever experienced that. There you are on stage, and yet you’re able to see it and feel it. I really look forward to that.”
The Swedish star said the show was “truly back to the future”. He added: “It’s a pity that title was taken by the film. Otherwise we could call this Back to the Future. Because that’s what it is.”
The band, now all in their seventies, got back together to help create the digital copies of themselves, dubbed “Abbatars”, by recording live versions of the songs while wearing motion capture technology.
Choreographer Wayne McGregor also enlisted body doubles for some of the more physical dance routines but said the band still had their original “performance magic”.
Other members of the team spent hours scanning concert footage from the Seventies to make sure the digital show, which kicks off on May 27, is as true to life as possible. Director Baillie Walsh said the end result was “a 2022 version” of the band’s trademark look. Central to the success of the show is the 3,000-person arena built in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Ulvaeus added: “What I like is the fact that not only are we pushing boundaries in the digital world, but we’re trying to integrate the physical and the digital world in a way that is immersive.”
The band wanted to launch Abba Voyage in London where tickets are on sale for concerts up to December 4 and the venue has approval to remain on site until 2026. But if it succeeds, the “flat-pack” venue could go on tour.
ABBA Voyage opens on May 27 2022 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. You can buy tickets here.
