ABBA Voyage: General Discussion 2021 Sept - Dec

My sincere condolences for your loss Alan. Take care.

Bennybjorn -- I am aware that not all Artists can have 'New' Christmas Hits, in this
'Day and Age'. however, I'm thinking of Leona Lewis and her 'One More Sleep', Song.
It is a Phil Spector type sound. It went to No.3, (UK), in December 2013. At first,
its Annual Re-Entries in the UK Charts, were not big - 2014 - No.80. 2015 - No.83.
2016 - No.70. But, then it began to be added, to more and more Christmas Playlists.
It then had stronger UK Annual Re-entries. 2017 - No.19. 2018 - No.8. 2019 - No.15.
2020 - No.18. It will join ABBA, in the 2021 UK Christmas Chart. It's been a Top 100
UK Hit, for 29 Weeks, and Top 75 for 25 Weeks. So, her 2013 Christmas Single, is now
an Annual UK Christmas Hit.

The Coldplay Christmas Single - 'Christmas Lights' - was not a small success. It got
to No.13, in 2010. It has Re-charted for 9 Christmas's, since then. ABBA can come up
with a stronger Christmas Song, than the Coldplay one. I'm sure that 'Little Things'
will be regarded as an instant 'Christmas Classic'. I see no reason, why it won't be
a big Hit. I've seen the Lead Singer - Chris Martin - saying that he envies ABBA, as
their Pop Songs were seen as 'Timeless', and Coldplay could not get to that level.

By the way, Graham, (Foreverfan), was right, in his last Post. All of the Tracks on
'Voyage', will be able to enter the UK Top 100 Singles Chart. The only criteria, is
that they 'Sell' enough to get into that Top 100. The main 'Rule', is that an Act
cannot have more than 3 Top 100 'Singles', at once. So, when 'Voyage' comes
out, the best 'Selling' Song, from the other 8 Tracks, will become an instant Hit,
in the Top 100. As long as it is 'Selling' enough to enter it.

As the 3 ABBA Hits drop in 'Sales', they will be removed, from the Top 100, and
replaced by another Song off 'Voyage' - as long as that Song is 'Selling' enough
to enter, and as long as it is outselling 2, (or more), of the 3 ABBA Songs, that
are already in the Top 100. I'm saying, that we could see, most of the 'Voyage'
Tracks, in the UK Top 100. The days when your Hit, had to be a Single are over.
Many ABBA Fans find it hard to understand how the UK, (and other Countries),
Singles Chart works now. As regards the UK, it is Streaming, that is the biggest
component of the Chart. Much more than CD's, Downloads, and Vinyl, which also
count towards the UK Singles Chart.

I now realise, that 'Don't Shut Me Down' is a Message, from ABBA, to their Fans. It really is. They are saying that they are back, but
not fully the same as before. But, will we please give them a chance. That is what the Lyrics really mean. I understood fully, when I
was watching the Lyric Video, last night. Surely we owe it to ABBA, to give them a proper chance, with this New Music? So both of
the Released New Songs, are Messages - 'I Still Have Faith In You' is ABBA talking to each other. The 2nd Song is ABBA talking to
we ABBA Fans. 

Alan, I may be wrong, but I remember seeing Agnetha with a similar dog in some photos, with a pug too, although I think it was back when 'A' was released. Could be Benny's though, he has a photo of another dog on his piano!

With regard to Just A Notion and Bumblebee, maybe they just liked the song titles and wrote new songs around them? If I was a journalist, I would have asked them! Has anyone seen a really good in-depth interview yet?!

Does anyone know when the studio footage was taken? Have there been any public reactions by any other famous fellow musicians? So much going round in my head, along with the songs!

As of 5 minutes ago... only about 10 seats left for opening day.. a sell out... and that's before general release...

Alan -- I'm very sorry about your Brother.

Just watched a reaction video by "GivenToe" of "Don't Shut Me Down", worth a watch, made me cry, again! How can ABBA still manage to create that "happy yet sad" feeling in us?!

 A lot of ABBA Fans have had terrible problems with the Ticketmaster Site.
 Trying to get Tickets for The ABBAtars Show.

  This is on the My London Web Site  -- The Link Is Below:

  link

I suppose the thing to remember about this is that it’s an ongoing show and could be there for years and years. According to the ticket receipt I got, the venue is even called “ABBA Arena” and assuming it’s a permanent structure, won’t be going anywhere. It’s not like a touring act where you only have a few chances to see them.

This does beg the question though - will they be able to tour this or set it up in multiple countries at the same time? It’s a long way for many people in the world to go. Think of the Australians and New Zealanders! It’s a pity they can’t/won’t show it in cinemas or anything. I doubt they’ll ever release it on blu-ray or DVD as it would affect ticket sales. I’m about 144 miles from the venue, which is nothing really, I’m lucky, but for many it’s a very long way to travel for a pre-recorded show.

Based on the promo interview with Benny, it seems rather improbable that it would be a touring show.  I mean, think about it... it would have been much less expensive to rent out an existing venue on the West End in perpetuity vs. building a new arena from the ground up.  This seems to have gone from merely a stage show to a fully immersive light/laser/screen experience that would be nearly impossible to retrofit into an existing venue without basically rebuilding the innards of the venue.  London is the perfect spot for this, as it is essentially the center of gravity of ABBA fandom and it's the prime gateway into Europe from the rest of the world.  Sure, I suppose they could build additional ABBA arenas in other locations around the world, but it is doubtful that it would make sense financially.  For example, I don't think a sufficient fanbase exists in America to support a purpose-built ABBA theater in, say, New York City.  That being said, Australia may be a different story...

I've flown from NYC to London to catch shows in the past (Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac), so I fully intend to see the Abbatars at some point.  I will basically use any excuse to justify a London trip!

As Gazman says:

ABBA have - so far - beaten the Streaming odds, and they have 2
Entries in the UK's 'First Look' Top 20. It is for UK Singles Sales on
Friday and Saturday. 'I Still Have Faith In You' - No.6. 'Don't Shut
Me Down' - No.7. If they can stay in the Top 10 until Friday's Weekly
Chart, it will be the 1st time that ABBA have ever had 2 UK Top 10
Hits at the same time. As well as being their 1st UK Top 10 Singles,
since 'One Of Us' was leaving the Top 10, in January 1982...

All potentially good news, I also believe they don’t include physical sales.. I may be wrong.
The midweeks are out tomorrow.....

Michal - I don't think physical sales have really even started properly. I don't think HMV has CD single copies in the UK yet, for instance.

I did not listen to the First Look Top 20. It is on BBC Radio 1,
from 6pm to 7pm on Sunday's.

However, I'm told that they Played all 3 of Drake's Entries, which
are at 1, 2, and 3. They did not Play both ABBA Singles, at 6 and 7.
I'm not sure which one they ignored. (Probably 'ISHFIY'). However,
I think that it is awful, that ABBA get their 1st UK Top 10 Singles in
40 Years, and Radio 1 can't even be bothered to Play both of them!
I get it, that they don't like ABBA, but that does not mean that they
should ignore one of their Hits, in a Top 20 Countdown! After all, they
made sure, that Drake, got all 3 of his Hits Played.