Latest news with #BennyAndersson
Metro
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
I experienced Abba Voyage's new show - here's what's different
Abba Voyage celebrated its third anniversary on Tuesday night, and I had the extreme delight of being there to celebrate. The widely acclaimed experience has been running for three years and appears to have been attended by everyone and their mums, and I don't mean figuratively, as the event has become a sweet mother-daughter event bringing together Abba fans of every generation. On Tuesday night, the Pudding Mill Lane arena opened its doors to press and celebrity fans for what can only be described as the best Tuesday night I may have ever had. Some major changes have been made, and while some fans might be sad to learn a song has been dropped from the original set list, they'll be delighted to learn the gig now includes four additional bangers. Name of the Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take a Chance on Me, some of Abba's most beloved hits are now included in the set list, scattered throughout the new lineup. Obviously, these songs are some of the band's most famous, and the addition has somehow made the already perfect and incredibly profitable show even more sublime. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Of course, the flawless production means that every song is unique and with frequent laser and light shows accompanying each song. These additional four hits are no different, with Supertrouper getting some of the loudest applause of the night, and the staging of each feeling fresh and exciting to keep audiences captivated. One change that won't please everybody is the removal of the hit song When All Is Said And Done. While it's a beautiful song and was very much a beloved part of the original lineup, I didn't feel like the show would have improved by keeping it in. The show felt well choreographed and while every fan might have a personal favourite song not in the line-up (for me it' could be's either If It Wasn't For The Nights or Slipping Through My Fingers) the set list is still ace, with a mix of some of the classics and some of the lesser-known hits. The additional songs also mean that the runtime is now 100 minutes rather than 90 minutes, which means fans are getting even more bang for their buck! At the beginning of the concert, I noticed fans taking snaps of people in a box, it was then later announced that the people were none other than former married couple, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad from Abba! At the end of the concert, Frida said to the concertgoers: 'Thank you for all of your support over the years. It's hard to imagine that's 50 years or more. I am turning 80 this year! I love you, thank you.' In a statement ahead of the concert, Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Frida said: 'When we first opened, we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. 'We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience. As we say in Sweden… Vilken resa!' As a special post-concert treat for the third anniversary, Benny and Frida were joined by Elvis Costello and Guy Garvey for an intimate performance for invited guests. More Trending Guy sang The Winner Takes It All, while Elvis sang Knowing Me Knowing You, with Benny playing a grand piano for both acoustic performances. The audience, including celebrity guests Richard Osman, Rob Brydon, and Eleanor Tomlinson, all joined in at the chorus and listened in rapture as Benny, 78, commanded the complete attention of the room. While this obviously isn't going to be something that happens at every concert in the future, it was incredible to see the ageing popstars support their digital legacy and 'Abbatars' as they can see with their own eyes how much their catalogue of music continues to have an impact decades on. ABBA Voyage is available to book until January 2026. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Buffy The Vampire Slayer directly sparked 00s rock band's 'ridiculous' reunion MORE: Iconic actor leaves fans 'in tears' after surprise appearance at Scissor Sisters' London gig MORE: 'Gigs don't have to cost £400 – the next Taylor Swift could be down the road'
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Abba stars reunite for third Abba Voyage anniversary
Abba stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the Abba Voyage show on Tuesday. The group, also made up of Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, who tied the knot in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, said: "When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. "Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience." The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included Abba hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless host and author Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience, Abba Voyage said. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through "Abba-tars", and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than £1 billion to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig Andersson. Abba were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. It has resulted in two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. ABBA Voyage is booking until January 2026.
ITV News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad reunite for third Abba Voyage anniversary in London
Abba stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, where fans were treated to new songs added to the Abba Voyage show on Tuesday. The group, also made up of Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who tied the knot in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, said: 'When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. 'Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience.' The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included Abba hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience, Abba Voyage said. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through 'Abba-tars', and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than £1 billion to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig Andersson. Abba were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021, which topped the UK album charts. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. It has resulted in two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. ABBA Voyage is booking until January 2026.
Irish Examiner
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad reunite for third Abba Voyage anniversary
Abba stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the Abba Voyage show on Tuesday. The group, also made up of Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who tied the knot in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, said: 'When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad before watching technology-created younger versions of themselves perform Abba hits (Abba Voyage/PA) 'Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience.' The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included Abba hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience, Abba Voyage said. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through 'Abba-tars', and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than £1 billion (€1.19bn) to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig Andersson. Abba were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. Myleene Klass attending the Abba Voyage event (Abba Voyage/PA) They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad at the premiere in 2022 (Ian West/PA) It has resulted in two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. ABBA Voyage is booking until January 2026.
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Benny, Anni-Frid reunite for ABBA Voyage anniversary
ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the ABBA Voyage show. Andersson and Lyngstad said: "When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. "Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience." The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the ABBA members through "ABBA-tars", and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than STG1 billion ($A2.1 billion) to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig. ABBA were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021, which topped the UK album charts. ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the ABBA Voyage show. Andersson and Lyngstad said: "When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. "Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience." The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the ABBA members through "ABBA-tars", and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than STG1 billion ($A2.1 billion) to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig. ABBA were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021, which topped the UK album charts. ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the ABBA Voyage show. Andersson and Lyngstad said: "When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. "Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience." The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the ABBA members through "ABBA-tars", and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than STG1 billion ($A2.1 billion) to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig. ABBA were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021, which topped the UK album charts. ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad have reunited to attend the third anniversary of their virtual concert in London. The Swedish musicians, who were married until divorcing a year before the influential pop group split in 1982, were at the arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where fans were treated to new songs added to the ABBA Voyage show. Andersson and Lyngstad said: "When we first opened we never imagined that we'd still be in London three years on. We're very grateful that so many of you have joined us. "Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience." The new tracks added to the concert's setlist included hits The Name Of The Game, Super Trouper, Money, Money, Money and Take A Chance On Me. Famous faces including British singers Elvis Costello, Myleene Klass, and Mahalia along with U2 star Adam Clayton, author and Pointless star Richard Osman, comedian Rob Brydon and Poldark actress Eleanor Tomlinson were in the audience. Since opening in May 2022, the series of shows that brings to life younger versions of the ABBA members through "ABBA-tars", and a 10-piece live band has had more than three million visitors, and according to consultancy Sound Diplomacy, brought an estimated more than STG1 billion ($A2.1 billion) to the UK economy. The concert series was created by the Swedish group, directed by Flashbacks Of A Fool director Baillie Walsh and produced by Svana Gisla and Andersson's son Ludvig. ABBA were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest, performing hit song Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. They have had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group split in 1982 after 10 years but reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021, which topped the UK album charts.
