Voyage Concerts

I read also, some of the outfits have more than one element/Layer to them, to reveal. Obviously the Flamboyant/psychedelic outfits with the capes could be one, and maybe the Silver one's for the Girls.

I wonder if they asked Abba's former Designer who produced the past Iconic Outfits? It would be a nice gesture. Assuming he was available.

Thanks for link to the Background info on Owe' Alan; was new to me. Yes maybe they wanted a new approach from the old, but the purple jump suit the Bjorn Abbatar wears is very similar to the ABBA outfits worn in the Dancing Queen Video.

I hear they asked several Clothing Designers to submit their Creations, so maybe there is still a chance, it would be nice imo if there is a design from him included.

I had never heard of this before so decided to Google ... looks like they've done and said some not great things. I'm 99% sure the team had little to no awareness of this.

A bit of a negative post on PopJustice, but I like the idea of possible discounts:

“The latter dates are already not shifting – I've heard some tea that they're going to end up doing discounts for autumn/winter shows if they continue as it is – so unless the reviews and word of mouth are fantastic I can't see it lasting years without a lot of effort.

“The fact it's not in the West End and therefore much more of a hard sell to casuals and tourists is going to really hurt it after the initial burst, I think. Tourism here still hasn't recovered properly after covid and Susan from Ohio doesn't want to be messing around after dinner in Covent Garden to get the DLR east to a weird bit of town.”

Alan, I don't think that's negative just honest.

Tickets sold out pretty much end of May to early August. Plenty available from Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec


Issues
➡️ it's not ABBA
➡️ people don't know what to expect
➡️ They are expensive (People used to spending £10 on Mamma Mia cinema ticket or GOLD CD). It's not ABBA.
➡️ In the wrong location
➡️ I think people want seats not dancing areas or private booths
➡️ The whole concept. ABBA are alive and well and recording but can't be bothered to tour.

Why buy tickets now if going to be (heavily) discounted?

With the massive prices and full bookings for 2 months that should be enough to recover costs. Plus the inevitable DVD at Christmas.


Blondie are currently touring the UK. Debbie Harry is 76. Concerts got 4 and 5 star reviews. Prices in 02 in London about £55 to £95 - and that's for the actual group. They can be bothered to tour.

Well at the moment, of late, all the Gutter press are all singing from the same story, ie the negative rumblings of Bjorn's worry of the potential risk they have undertaken with the Abbatar Project, what happened to real journalism. They are always quick to jump on the negative, although Bjorn should be well aware of their tactics, and should not provide them with ammunition.

If l were in the UK at the Moment, l would definitely be more excited with seeing Blondie Live at the Manchester Apollo! l may see the Abbatar Show, if it Survives long enough, but having Seen Abba Live at Wembley twice in Nov 79, nothing Abba related is going to Top that.

I just hope Agnetha can Support her Band Mates at the Launch of the Show, She has had a Privileged life off the Back of ABBA.

Not to add to any negativity, but I have to say that I have dithered over attending the show a couple of times now. I was equal parts reassured and curious to see that there are ample ticket opportunities during my son's October midterm break.

I think its biggest challenge is making the London site attractive. I don't know London well - and the ABBA Arena area not at all. I'm not familiar with London's public transport system. Travelling with a child, plotting a suitable trip needs care. I've had a look at the Voyage website and their information on the location seems reassuring. But is the local train/bus infrastructure capable of handling a surge of 3,000 people at the end of a show at night? It looks as though a taxi trip from there to a more typical tourist location might be pretty expensive... So I still haven't booked anything.

BUT! On the principle of if you build it they will come, I suppose local businesses and private bus firms might spot opportunities that will benefit both them and the punter? ABBA have clearly taken a gamble. I imagine that they're banking on it being "the new Mamma Mia" and pulling in a lot of casual fans (read: hen parties). TV specials and documentaries (and possibly even new material??) might be needed to boost its profile from mid-summer onwards? I doubt anyone has invested beyond their means, so if the venture is not a roaring success, nobody will be in penury. Perhaps moving the show to Stockholm and/or Las Vegas might happen ahead of any imagined schedule... Ultimately, I think the show will have a decent lifespan. 

This reminds me a little of the last-minute nerves ahead of the album's release: there was quite a bit of speculation that it might be crap. Remember?! 

I wonder if it would help if they released a video of a full song? At present we have a short segment of I Still Have Faith In You (which I’m assuming is exactly what will be in the show) plus minor clips to unknown tracks. Perhaps if they released the full performance of, say, Don’t Shut Me Down (or any song that doesn’t have a proper video or visual performance, such as LAYLOM) it might allay fears. Or would it put people off? (“is that it?”)

Björn Again are a franchise though, each country has its own, so recommending them might be difficult if some versions are better than others! However, I’m assuming they’re all trained the same way and give the same shows. Never seen them. What are their names again? Agnetha Faltstart, Frida Longstockin, Benny Anderwear and Björn Volvo-us. Their Erasure-ish covers in 1992 were recently on the Top of The Pops 1992 repeats.

In relation to Tribute Acts, l am on the Mailing List with Madilda Lindell She is a Swedish Singer/Musician, and is part of an Abba Tribute Band. She has done many interpretations of ABBA Songs which l love, and Bought her Abba Vynil EP last year. She is very loyal to her follower's on Facebook, Twitter Instagram etc, Zoom, inviting people where she does live streaming, unfortunately l don't subscribe to the above Platforms, but she is very talented plays the Piano, and is Beautiful to Boot;) l recommend you Check her out.

I don't think it's negative to point out ticket sales are low for final few nonths and that positive reviews - professional or fans are essential.

I haven't seen any £43 tickets for the next few months.

I do think the location could be an issue. The venue is away from theatreland and usual touristy hotspots.

I guess it's natural to have a bit of nervous expectation but hopefully it will be alright on the night.

I do think at some stage there will be a dvd or something online.

I saw Blondie about 20 years ago. I thought Debbie's voice was terrible and it put me off seeing them this time.

Yeah, maybe the real ABBA wouldn't be so good live now in their 70s.

I look forward to seeing people here give their reviews.

Actually, I find it quite natural that the ticket presale has slowed down because a lot of people who are not super ABBA fans now wait for the premiere to see what they really will get.

For me it is the other way round. I was much surprised that 300.000 Tickets have been sold for something nobody knows what will be delivered at the end.

If the Show itself is really sensational and strikes a chord with the audience, ticket sales will rise up and it will become a hot ticket.

It is not the point that it is not ABBA themselfes, it is not even the point that it is ABBA. If people come out of the Show and say "You must see this Show, it's spectacular" people will go and see it.

But this is the fate of such Event. If you don't have the original you need other good points to sell the Show. I believe the production team is very much aware of this.

I doubt if a complete ABBAtare Video would do the trick, they need to deliver the show now, it's as simple as that.

And it is the same with a new Musical Show, isn't it? You can have sold out Shows for the first weeks with a new Show, but at one timepoint you need to deliver...

Tony, your set list is great. Oh dear, I sound like " Tony The Tiger " from the advert for " Frosties ". " They're gre-aaaat " !
Johnny, everyone is entitled to their own views regarding The ABBAtars. Without a doubt I think the show is going to be " something else ". Sorry, for sounding like a broken record but I really hope that the set list will include quite a few songs that have never been performed live.

That sounds awful. I really wouldn’t want that! I’d be sitting there wondering why they hadn’t done this much sooner. I honestly wouldn’t want to see the real ABBA live now. It’s too late. And I wouldn’t want them to be put through it either. Blondie and all those other acts… aren’t they just a bit sad for carrying on and on?

There seems to be some social media negativity about it, as this post on PopJustice alludes to:

“They’re also getting some heat on social media for not actually being there in person. The "hologram concert" label is proving difficult to shake off.”

To which someone replied:

“Heat on social media about something made clear from the outset, and the whole point of the show! Haha. Totally laughable but completely expected.”

Quite.