Latest news with #ABBAVoyage
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Talks Reportedly ‘Failed' in Efforts to Bring ABBA Voyage to Australia
Plans to bring ABBA Voyage – the virtual concert experience from the eponymous Swedish pop group – to Australia have reportedly failed. First launched in May 2022, ABBA Voyage saw the quartet – which comprises Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog – taking to the first stage for the first time in 40 years, albeit as digital avatars (or 'ABBA-tars'). More from Billboard Jeremy Zucker Announces 2025 Australian Tour Black Sabbath Members Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: 'Goodbye Dear Friend' The Damned Cancel North American Concert Dates Following 'Catastrophic Event' While the group themselves have resisted lucrative offers to re-form since their 1982 split, the virtual, live concert experience provided a way for fans to relive the band's live concerts in the modern age. First launched in London in 2022, the immersive spectacle features 1979 versions of the band playing their biggest hits, backed by a 10-piece live band and a lofty light show. Currently, the experience is scheduled through Feb. 1, 2026, with questions having been raised as to where it may be held next (or if it will be extended). While reports of a Las Vegas debut have surfaced recently, discussions in regard to an Australian edition of ABBA Voyage have been in the works since 2023. Initially, both the cities of Sydney and Melbourne were in competition to host the production, with the latter reportedly winning out as the Victorian state government entered into what were labelled 'advanced conversations.' However, reports in May 2024 of an imminent announcement of a production at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse were later replaced by reports of stalled negotiations, with an unnamed government official claiming that ABBA Voyage organizers – which includes Melbourne's Craig Hartenstine as CEO – 'got greedy.' Now, a new report from the Herald Sun has stated the event is 'not going ahead' in Melbourne after talks had 'failed,' with money and value for taxpayers being the sticking point. Reportedly, the ABBA Voyage production would require a purpose-built 3,000 seat venue to host the event and would cost $100 million AUD to be staged. Paul Dainty – who serves as the president and chief executive of promoter TEG Dainty, and was responsible for bringing the group to Australia in 1977 – called the news 'disappointing.' 'It's been a long journey, but [ABBA Voyage] is a super expensive project,' he added. 'Maybe we can revisit it in the future.' Though it's unclear what sort of value ABBA Voyage had been predicted to generate for the Australian economy, a December 2024 economic and social impact report noted that in the two years since its opening in May 2022, ABBA Voyage had generated £1.40 billion for the U.K. economy. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Why has London's new immersive Elvis Presley show been so controversial – and is it really that bad?
As Time Out's theatre editor I tend to be responsible for most of our immersive coverage as well, but I wasn't able to make the big opening night for London's long gestating new Elvis Presley experience Elvis Evolution. So rather than see it with celebrities or invited guests, I ended up joining one of the first public performances of the show. I didn't go in with any particular expectations of what it would involve and personally I had a decent time, with some reservations. But I thought the first half was perfectly enjoyable: slick, reasonably informative, and I didn't have any problem with it focussing on Elvis's childhood best friend Sam Bell as a way to take a different look at The King. 🎤 The official Time Out review of Elvis Evolution. The focus of the second half is Elvis's legendary 1968 comeback TV special. Stood milling around waiting for the 'live performance', it was here that I first realised a portion of the audience was on the cusp of mutiny: a lot of them clearly hadn't enjoyed the first half, and were muttering to each other that they were hoping for something spectacular from the concert section, with at least two groups in my earshot referencing the blockbuster ABBA Voyage concert experience in Stratford. Elvis Evolution is in fact nothing like ABBA Voyage, or not much like it: we get a trio of live musicians playing along to highlights of the 1968 TV special, which have apparently been sharpened up digitally for the big screen but basically look like a blown up version of something you could easily watch on YouTube. Some of my fellow audience members were not happy. Some booed. Some left early. Many did look like they were having a good time – the '68 special is a really good performance – but it is rare to hear what I might call a theatre audience so audibly disgruntled. Fast forward a couple of days and disillusioned attendees of Elvis Evolution are making headlines on the BBC website and in the tabloids and the show is in real danger of getting framed as an unmitigated disaster. But is that fair? Let's dig in a bit. Were audiences promised an ABBA Voyage -style concert experience? To be clear, there was never going to be an ABBA Voyage -style Elvis experience. That show requires a special dedicated concert arena, millions of pounds of tech development, and moreover the enthusiastic participation of ABBA themselves, who are all still alive. Elvis famously left the building decades ago. But just because an ABBA Voyage -alike experience was unlikely doesn't mean audiences didn't expect one. When the show was announced way back in January 2024, 'holographic projections' were promised (in practise this almost always means a Victorian illusion called Pepper's Ghost, as actual holographic projection doesn't really exist). In at least one interview Andrew McGuinness, founder of show creators Layered Reality used ABBA Voyage as a reference point ('it's a fusion of theatre, cinema and something like ABBA Voyage '). Although Layered Reality have been upfront about the fact there was no longer a holographic element and subsequent interviews sought to play down any similarities to ABBA Voyage, it's fair to say none of this had the cut through of the initial announcement. Perhaps more relevantly, it's probably true to say that ABBA Voyage has not only massively raised the bar for expectations of a concert experience from a defunct musical act, but it's virtually become the sole reference point. If ABBA Voyage didn't exist, I have a feeling Elvis Evolution would have got a much less rough ride. Is Elvis Evolution overpriced? Elvis Evolution starts at £75 a ticket. This doesn't stack up horribly against West End stalls prices, but it's a lot for a show that doesn't have anyone famous in it and leans heavily on pre-recorded sections. It was clearly pretty expensive to develop and has a good number of actors and musicians per performance, so £20 fringe type prices are clearly a pipe dream, but it would probably take the edge off people's complaints if tickets were around half what they are now, though it's impossible for me to say whether that's financially viable or not. It's very difficult to look at the VIP packages and conclude that they're good value: both the £180 Burning Love package and £300 If I Can Dream package offer little more than around £40 worth of cocktails, a bit of reserved seating, and a few miscellaneous souvenir bits. Having three different bar venues seems excessive and suggests that extracting further money from ticket holders is a central part of the show's business model. And as a sidenote, if your audience is encouraged to be two cocktails down by the concert scene don't be surprised if they're a bit lairy. Is Elvis Evolution a bad show? In all honestly I thought it was a decent piece of immersive theatre. But I wasn't really coming at it from a 'massive Elvis fan' perspective. There have been some complaints about the first half focussing on the obscure character of Sam Bell. I don't think this was cynically done at all and was probably aiming to offer an interesting new perspective on Elvis, a figure whose biography everyone who buys a ticket will be well aware of already. Probably it would have gone down better if it had been a more straightforward hagiography. I should also say that the people booing were a minority and that the peak of disgruntlement came when it became apparent that the 'concert' would simply be the special: my audience seemed a lot happier by the end and had mostly enjoyed the band augmented playback of the special. Nonetheless, it's hard to imagine the current backlash will help Elvis Evolution, and some sort of rethink – if only of its marketing – is surely is order if it's to make to the end of its current December booking period.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Moment pensioner is dragged out of immersive Elvis Presley show by burly security guards after he called it ‘b*****ks'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the moment a pensioner was dragged out of an immersive Elvis Presley show by security - after allegedly calling it 'b*****ks'. Shocking video shows the elderly man being carried out of the building by his arms and legs as onlookers pleaded with four burly guards to leave him alone. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The pensioner was pushed to the floor by security guards Credit: supplied 4 He was dragged out after criticising the show Credit: Supplied The backpack-clad fan is thought to have travelled to the Elvis Evolution at Excel London with a coach trip on Sunday afternoon. Witnesses say he was asked to leave when he criticised the experience but refused - prompting security to throw him out. Laura Cadden, 42, who filmed the incident, told The Sun: 'People were talking and basically everybody was saying 'this is a load of rubbish'. 'The elderly gentleman then said 'this is b*****ks' - at which point they turned all the lights up and got the security from the Excel to come in. Read More SMASH HORROR Moment gang of robbers crash stolen Jaguar into cop car in head-on smash "They asked him to leave, he said 'I'm not going anywhere at the moment, I'll leave in my good time'. 'So they pushed him onto his knees and four of them each took an arm or leg and dragged him out… 'He was just expressing his opinion about the show, which was absolutely valid, because it was dreadful.' Laura, who had travelled down from Coventry with her husband Jason, said staff then told the other punters they could no longer continue because it was a 'security risk'. Guests were asked to leave and the subsequent shows were cancelled. They were told to contact organisers Layered Reality for a refund. It is the latest blow for the 'high-tech' performance, which promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life when it opened earlier this month. Some attendees had been expecting cutting-edge holograms to rival the smash hit ABBA Voyage virtual gigs. But furious audiences, who paid up to £300 each for VIP tickets, say there was no 3D avatar - just an actor dancing in front of video clips of the icon. They compared it to last year's Willy Wonka experience flop in Glasgow. Elvis Evolution said its plans for a hologram concert announced in early 2024 were dropped during development - but insisted this was 'made clear when tickets went on sale'. Organisers said the elderly man was removed on Sunday for being 'verbally aggressive' towards staff. A spokesperson for Elvis Evolution said: 'A guest attending the event on Sunday night became verbally aggressive towards our staff. "Despite being politely asked to stop, the behaviour escalated, with the guest explicitly stating his intention to continue making threats towards our staff and performers. 'The on-site management team engaged promptly and professionally, requesting that the individual leave the venue. When he refused to comply, the security team were called to assist, and the individual was subsequently removed from the premises. 'While we regret any disruption caused to other guests, the safety and wellbeing of our staff, cast and visitors is our highest priority.' Excel London was approached for comment. 4 Organisers said the elderly man was removed on Sunday for being 'verbally aggressive' towards staff Credit: Supplied
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
ABBA Voyage arena set to be demolished as developers unveil plans for housing estate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABBA Voyage has been a huge success since its launch three years ago, but now the Swedish group's digital avatars are set to be kicked out of their East London arena. I can reveal plans have been drawn up to make way for a 1,000-home neighbourhood, which would mean the venue, constructed especially for the concert spectacle, will be demolished by the end of the decade to make way for apartment blocks. 2 The venue for ABBA Voyage is set to be demolished Credit: Alamy 2 The Swedish group's digital avatars will be kicked out of their East London arena Credit: ABBA Voyage The news is likely to devastate fans, as the group have said the concert — using state-of-the-art technology to show a younger version of the group on stage — is the closest anyone will come to seeing Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus perform together again. It also scuppers hopes the Spice Girls could take over the arena, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, after The Sun revealed the girl group have been planning to create their own similar digital residency. The concert is currently booking up until January 2026, although it is expected to continue for longer. The show's CEO and executive producer Michael Bolingbroke previously said: 'ABBA Voyage will certainly run for another couple of years and hopefully longer — in an ideal world we'd stay for ever.' Building work on the first two phases of a major new estate is scheduled to start next year just metres away from the arena. Real loss That will include construction on the site of the nearby hotel and bar Snoozebox, where revellers often congregate after the performances and which only has permission to stay until the end of 2025. The first homes on the site are scheduled to be completed in 2028, but earlier this year, ABBA's Bjorn said he believed the arena could remain until 2029. He explained: 'We are allowed to stay in our venue till 2029, but sales might drop, you never know.' The arena was originally built as a moveable venue, but the band later admitted they hoped the show would stay in the area. During its run, ABBA Voyage has attracted more than two million visitors and has contributed £1.4billion to the UK economy. ABBA make a rare appearance together as they are honoured by the King and Queen of Sweden A spokesperson for ABBA Voyage said: 'We are in constant dialogue with the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council about our lease and we welcome the opportunity to stay at the arena for as long as viable. 'At present, there are no plans for any changes to be made.' It would be a real loss for it to go, but it's certainly been a massive triumph.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
ABBA Voyage arena set to be demolished as developers unveil plans for housing estate
ABBA Voyage has been a huge success since its launch three years ago, but now the Swedish group's digital avatars are set to be kicked out of their East London arena. I can reveal plans have been drawn up to make way for a 1,000-home neighbourhood, which would mean the venue, constructed especially for the concert spectacle, will be demolished by the end of the decade to make way for apartment blocks. 2 2 The news is likely to devastate fans, as the group have said the concert — using state-of-the-art technology to show a younger version of the group on stage — is the closest anyone will come to seeing Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus perform together again. It also scuppers hopes the Spice Girls could take over the arena, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, after The Sun revealed the girl group have been planning to create their own similar digital residency. The concert is currently booking up until January 2026, although it is expected to continue for longer. The show's CEO and executive producer Michael Bolingbroke previously said: ' ABBA Voyage will certainly run for another couple of years and hopefully longer — in an ideal world we'd stay for ever.' Building work on the first two phases of a major new estate is scheduled to start next year just metres away from the arena. Real loss That will include construction on the site of the nearby hotel and bar Snoozebox, where revellers often congregate after the performances and which only has permission to stay until the end of 2025. The first homes on the site are scheduled to be completed in 2028, but earlier this year, ABBA's Bjorn said he believed the arena could remain until 2029. He explained: 'We are allowed to stay in our venue till 2029, but sales might drop, you never know.' The arena was originally built as a moveable venue, but the band later admitted they hoped the show would stay in the area. During its run, ABBA Voyage has attracted more than two million visitors and has contributed £1.4billion to the UK economy. A spokesperson for ABBA Voyage said: 'We are in constant dialogue with the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council about our lease and we welcome the opportunity to stay at the arena for as long as viable. 'At present, there are no plans for any changes to be made.' It would be a real loss for it to go, but it's certainly been a massive triumph.
