ABBA reunite for the first time in 40 years and bid farewell with magical virtual concert

27 May 2022, 20:02 | Updated: 22 September 2023, 11:36

ABBA fans have called their new virtual concert "the greatest show on earth". Picture: Twitter/ABBA

By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall

After a forty-year absence, ABBA have returned to the stage together once again.

Ahead of their debut ABBA Voyage virtual performance, all four original members - Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad - stepped onto the red carpet together.

It marked an incredible moment for ABBA fans, seeing them standing side-by-side after all these years.

The opening concert for their residency at the purpose-built ABBA Arena brought together fans from all corners of the world for one spectacular event.

ABBA have created virtual avatars (or ABBA-tars) with new technology pioneered by Star Wars VFX company Industrial Light & Magic.

And the opportunity to create history was too tempting for ABBA to turn down.

The run of concerts is due to end in December 2022, but after the outstanding debut performance that might not signal the end.

ABBA made a rare public appearance side-by-side. Picture: ABBA/Twitter

The 3000-capacity ABBA Arena was brimming with fans, and the excitement was clearly too much for some as they were finally able to the legendary Swedes.

Although it wasn't quite seeing them in the flesh, it didn't matter to most.

One fan made her own #ABBAVoyage by flying in from Dubai especially for the performance, and hundred of others gushed about how incredible it was.

Another fan wrote on Twitter that he was: "prepared to be cynical but the Abba Voyage show blew me away."

"Can’t work our bios they did it, but it felt like a real concert. Amazing, amazing stuff."

"History making concert that will change live shows forever" said another.

There were plenty of celebrities in attendance too, out in their droves to witness the awesome foursome back together again.

The likes of Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jarvis Cocker, Matt Lucas, and Keira Knightley - whose husband James Righton was performing in the backing band- were all in the audience.

There was also an genuine 'Dancing Queen' watching too, with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Silvia in London to see the show.

ABBA Voyage is a ground-breaking new virtual concert. Picture: Johan Persson

Fans and celebrities alike were out in their droves to see the Swedes. Picture: Johan Persson

The performance was exactly what fans wanted - a visual spectacle to accompany their classic soundtrack.

And it certainly didn't disappoint, as iconic songs like 'Waterloo', 'Voulez-Vous', 'Dancing Queen', and 'The Winner Takes It All' all made it into the career-spanning setlist.

Newer track still got a spin, like 'Don’t Let Me Down' and 'I Still Have Faith In You' from their comeback album Voyage which was released in November 2021.

But the icing on the cake was when Benny, Bjorn, Anni-Frid, and Agnetha all appeared together on stage for the final curtain call.

Despite not saying anything, the concert had said it all as they smiled and embraced while the fans applauded.