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Post by Cindy on May 29, 2022 17:44:12 GMT
Universal have started removing YT videos. They will be busy for the next year or more doing that then.
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Post by Alan on May 29, 2022 18:54:39 GMT
But imagine that during some songs there are no ABBAtars on stage at all. You virtually watch videos on giant screens then. I thought it was a bit strange, but it completely absorbed me anyway  I was prepared for Eagle and Voulez-Vous as I read the spoilers, but Does Your Mother Know was disappointing. Björn starts it but it’s then handed over to live singers. Waterloo was just footage of them in various Eurovision/TV performances. Therefore there are only 16 songs performed by the ‘Tars. Overall I was impressed though. It’s not like seeing the real thing and it’s obvious they aren’t real people, but it’s still a very enjoyable show. |
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Post by gamleman on May 29, 2022 19:21:59 GMT
[But imagine that during some songs there are no ABBAtars on stage at all. You virtually watch videos on giant screens then. I thought it was a bit strange, but it completely absorbed me anyway  I was prepared for Eagle and Voulez-Vous as I read the spoilers, but Does Your Mother Know was disappointing. Björn starts it but it’s then handed over to live singers. Waterloo was just footage of them in various Eurovision/TV performances. Therefore there are only 16 songs performed by the ‘Tars. Overall I was impressed though. It’s not like seeing the real thing and it’s obvious they aren’t real people, but it’s still a very enjoyable show. I'm glad you enjoyed the show, Alan. I was looking forward to your views, as I knew they would be quite frank. You touched on some things that I thought were strange from the previous reviews. I wonder whether it's possible that the ABBAtar animations for the songs with movies weren't ready in time for the launch. The handing over of DYMK to the backing singers may have been a way of giving them the spotlight for one song, which I suppose was quite generous. Anyway, it seems like the show is being very well received and has already been deemed a success. |
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Post by lamont on May 29, 2022 19:33:12 GMT
I was thinking, if ABBA do have to recoup £140 million to start showing a profit, then it may not be the last thing the 4 do together. If the show runs into financial difficulties you can bet the producers will enrol Benny & Bjorn to either get new music out, or for new songs to be produced for the show. A lot rides on this, if it fails then other territories will be less likely to invest in it.
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Post by Alan on May 29, 2022 19:36:10 GMT
My main criticism is the venue. There was only one shop, which did mean a queue. For some reason, I assumed it was a proper shop you could go in to view everything. In reality it was just a merchandise store exactly as you would expect at any other concert. To be fair, there was a guy taking orders from the queue, so if you knew what you wanted, you could buy that way and then leave the queue.
As it was an afternoon performance, there was no rush to go, so we did go back to the store. I got a logo mug (that has been removed from the online store so I assumed had completely sold out). The venue is odd - outside the actual arena it’s open to the elements (though has a roof on). It was clear to see that it would be easily detachable to then rebuild elsewhere.
Back to the ‘Tars… they do move like computer-generated graphics, and never appear to focus their eyes on anything. As long as you accept this - that you’re not seeing ABBA circa 1977 but the best approximation that current technology allows - then you’ll be OK. It’s a surreal experience, but a good one.
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Post by HOMETIME on May 29, 2022 19:38:21 GMT
Something tells me the lack of ABBAtar performances for a couple of songs is a result of the many reported setlist changes. Maybe ABBA did mocap performances for songs that, ultimately, were shelved. I'm less surprised that Eagle didn't have a performance, but Voulez-Vous? I would have thought that anything from Gold would have been mocapped. Despite your reservations, Alan , how did the crowd react to DYMK? Was there a palpable cooling of the energy for Eagle and VV? And what was your favourite from the show? |
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Post by Alan on May 29, 2022 19:51:13 GMT
The Anime animation was interesting, but not sure it really suited either song. The audience was OK with it but it wasn’t getting anyone off their seats.
When All Is Said And Done was definitely a highlight. Part a capella and of course the repeat of the first verse made it quite different to the familiar version. You weren’t sure what would happen next with it. The other songs were more predictable in that respect, aside from the fades removed and replaced with cold endings. This also helped to mask the truncations of some songs. Again, I knew about LAYLOM losing a verse but with some of the others it was a surprise. The Visitors seemed quite short. 20 songs certainly went very quickly.
Oh, and the Just A Notion artwork makes so much more sense after seeing Knowing Me, Knowing You.
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Post by Sandy on May 29, 2022 20:30:26 GMT
Someone on Popjustice forum said a few days ago that apparently the Abbatars aren’t on stage for every song because of logistics and overheating of the generators. I can imagine it uses a lot of electricity when the screens, lights and Abbatars screen are all operating in tandem.
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Post by Alan on May 29, 2022 20:54:49 GMT
Someone on Popjustice forum said a few days ago that apparently the Abbatars aren’t on stage for every song because of logistics and overheating of the generators. I can imagine it uses a lot of electricity when the screens, lights and Abbatars screen are all operating in tandem. That sounds like they’re fobbing people off with that excuse, but certainly it’s nothing like seeing a flat screen. It’s 3D and they’re (unnaturally but attractively) lit up. I assumed they wanted to give the impression it was a real live show - the performers could go off and change costumes. (There’s an amusing bit where you hear Benny and Björn changing into their Dancing Queen-esque costumes, and remarking that they didn’t like them much first time round. Oddly, these costumes are not worn for Dancing Queen itself). |
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Post by Alan on May 30, 2022 9:08:09 GMT
  A couple of photos. The sunset in the wood was the screen as it looked pre-show. It reminded me very much of Kate Bush’s video for The Sensual World. The second photo is The Winner Tales It All. |
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Post by gamleman on May 30, 2022 9:19:36 GMT
The wood looks lovely and Agnetha looks beautiful but is that one a movie, as the tiny ABBAtar figures look like they're flat on a screen.
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Post by Alan on May 30, 2022 10:41:57 GMT
The photo really doesn’t do it justice, gamleman. In reality it looks very 3D and not like a screen at all. The only difference is that they’re lit up in a way that real people wouldn’t be. |
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Post by gamleman on May 30, 2022 10:54:24 GMT
The photo really doesn’t do it justice, gamleman . In reality it looks very 3D and not like a screen at all. The only difference is that they’re lit up in a way that real people wouldn’t be. I was wondering whether a photo doesn't really capture the 3D effect, especially one taken from an angle. Am I right in thinking that the ABBAtars always remain in the same vertical plane and don't, for example, step out towards the audience? |
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Post by Alan on May 30, 2022 12:05:57 GMT
That’s correct, gamleman, they don’t step out any further than they are in the photo. I must admit though, I hadn’t thought about it until you asked. I’d have liked Take A Chance on Me and The Name of the Game in there. Super Trouper is no loss whatsoever and I didn’t miss Money Money Money. I’d definitely have taken Does Your Mother Know out. Had it been the ‘Tars, it might have been OK but I didn’t go to see others perform an ABBA song. |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 12:42:32 GMT
I agree Alan, " Take A Chance On Me " and " The Name Of The Game " are oddly missing from an otherwise wonderful concert song setlist. However " Does Your Mother Know " is hardly vintage ABBA and I would have replaced it with " Take A Chance On Me " or " If It Wasn't For The Nights ". I am so glad to see " The Visitors ", " Lay All Your Love On Me ", " When All Is Said And Done " and " The Winner Takes It All " performed. I feel these classics are so deserving to be included as sadly there are no previous concert performances of them.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 15:02:47 GMT
My tweaks to the otherwise great setlist would be:
Replace Hole in Your Soul with Take a Chance on Me. I don't think you can start with two lesser known songs. Besides TACOM is a classic.
I too would also ditch Does Your Mother Know. Replace it with another uptempo song eg Ring Ring, Kisses of Fire, On and On and On.
I love The Name of The Game but it's not a party song so probably is better out.
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Post by Alan on May 30, 2022 15:19:06 GMT
Yes, I’d forgotten that The Winner Takes It All is a party song. Played at every wedding, that one.
I’d definitely have The Name of the Game in there. Alone in ABBA’s repertoire to have solo parts from both Agnetha and Frida. Are there any other songs that have that? I can’t think of any.
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wayne
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Post by wayne on May 30, 2022 15:29:19 GMT
Just a couple of questions ahead of my visit tonight.
1. What's the best time to get to the Arena for the Departure Lounge?
2. Is there a separate queue for the lounge or do you have to make yourself know to security Arena entry staff?
3. Is the Merchandise store available while you're part of the Departure Lounge guests?
Many thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.
Wayne x
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 15:34:07 GMT
Yes, I’d forgotten that The Winner Takes It All is a party song. . Yeah,played a lot at Downing Street parties...Bit of politics. 😃 Thanks for taking the bait. 🤣 |
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Post by gamleman on May 30, 2022 15:48:39 GMT
I guess being confined to a 2D plane is a limitation of the technology, but it wouldn't bother me.
I also don't care that they left out "Super Trouper", but "Take A Chance On Me" is an obvious omission.
Although "The Name Of The Game" is one of my favourites, I wouldn't have included it in a stage production. Alan, TACOM also effectively has separate solo parts by A&F.
I rather like "Hole In Your Soul" being in there but the one song I would have preferred is "If It Wasn't For The Nights", which would have made a great uptempo stage song and would have been 'new' and an instant hit for many attendees, I'm sure - I don't think ABBA realise how popular this song is with the fans (much like JLT).
I did think that "Does Your Mother Know" would be in there as a token Bjorn-led song (I also half-expected "Why Did It Have To Be Me") but it seems that it was more of a song for the backing band. I suspect this song was chosen as it doesn't depend on A&F too much. Is there any other song that would have been a better choice to spotlight them? Perhaps the chorus of "Summer Night City", since it doesn't really have the full ABBA sound.
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Post by Michal on May 30, 2022 15:49:49 GMT
...Does Your Mother Know was disappointing. Björn starts it but it’s then handed over to live singers... I think it was a natural thing to do. The members of the live band are doing all the hard work and they need their moment in a spotlight in the show. During every live show the band is introduced. And Björn and Benny obviously think it was a mistake to let Björn handle the lead vocals. I would also prefer if the ABBAtars performed it, however we must admit that it was fair to give it to the band. |
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Post by Michal on May 30, 2022 15:53:06 GMT
That’s correct, gamleman , they don’t step out any further than they are in the photo. I must admit though, I hadn’t thought about it until you asked. I was thinking about it and didn't the Benny Avatar step further during his speech to the audience? Or am I imagining it? |
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Post by Michal on May 30, 2022 15:56:41 GMT
I rather like "Hole In Your Soul" being in there but the one song I would have preferred is "If It Wasn't For The Nights" I would never swap these two. Hole In Your Soul is perfect for a concert, I think. It's pulsating with energy. And that scream Agnetha performs in the bridge is a moment to die for |
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Post by evilincarnate on May 30, 2022 16:02:49 GMT
I would ditch "Hole In Your Soul" and "Does Your Mother Know" but I understand their inclusion. Odd though that "Take A Chance On Me" was left out - surely it will make an appearance at a later date?
I'm also extremely fond of "The Name Of The Game" (one of their best) but it's perhaps not a great fit for the show.
I'm really surprised by the lack of love for "Super Trouper" on this forum and whilst "Money, Money, Money" is not one of my faves, I'm perplexed by the omission of these two - both were big hits, particularly in the UK, and concert-ready.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 16:16:40 GMT
Yep, it all comes down to that " bummer " " Does Your Mother Know ". Why is it worthy of inclusion ? I can think of quite a few substitutes as Johnny, Alan and Gamleman have already pointed out.
Michal, I too would keep " Hole In Your Soul ". It is a rock banger ! I would slightly alter the concert set list as follows,
The Visitors
Hole In Your Soul
SOS
Knowing Me Knowing You
Chiquitita
Fernando
Take A Chance On Me
If It Wasn't For The Nights
Eagle ( performed by The ABBAtars )
Lay All Your Love On Me
Summer Night City
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Voulez- Vous
When All Is Said And Done
The Name Of The Game
Don't Shut Me Down
I Still Have Faith In You
Thank You For The Music
The Winner Takes It All
Dancing Queen
Dare I check this through with Benny and Bjorn, not if I have a " death wish " !
I hear Mrs Boris Johnson is a " Dancing Queen " by the way.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 16:23:07 GMT
Although a solid pop song, unfortunately " Super Trouper " doesn't ignite my passion as much as the other obvious big ABBA hits. We all have our own particular likes and dislikes.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 16:27:49 GMT
Maybe keep Hole in Your Soul but not 2nd track after another lesser known track.
Consensus that Does Your Mother Know is not worthy of inclusion. That in and Take a Chance in me out is just bizarre.
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Post by Dawn on May 30, 2022 16:34:24 GMT
Eagle at least performed on the screens with the wind blowing through the hair of the girls was a lost opportunity. Instead an anime style presentation lol
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 16:43:37 GMT
Evulincarnate - Money Money Money was a big hit here in the UK but that was a specific point in time when ABBA were huge. It hasn't been so popular with downloads or streams. The same can be said for The Name of the Game.
By contrast SOS and LAYLOM less popular on release but more so now. Forget chart positions of 40 to 45 years ago when judging popularity now.
Like Eddie I wouldn't have chosen The Winner Takes it All as the closing song.
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Post by Alan on May 30, 2022 17:04:12 GMT
… It hasn't been so popular with downloads or streams. The same can be said for The Name of the Game. Forget chart positions of 40 to 45 years ago when judging popularity now. Like Eddie I wouldn't have chosen The Winner Takes it All as the closing song. Does that actually matter though? It shouldn’t necessarily go on what’s popular now, more on what’s good. You could argue that The Winner Takes It All as the closing song is putting two fingers (or even the middle finger) at the likes of Mamma Mia! as it ends it on a darker note. The only thing for me that is a bit jarring is that it’s ABBA circa 1977 that performs it, when they hadn’t actually been through what the song is about. That video is so powerful that any other visual interpretation of it is always going to pale. |
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