ABBA Voyage

ABBA Voyage
Concert name	ABBA Voyage
Artist	ABBA
Location	London, England
Venue	ABBA Arena
Album	''Voyage''
Director	Svana Gisla
Producer	Ludvig Andersson
Date	May 27, 2022 – present
Genre	Pop, disco
Runtime	90 minutes

ABBA Voyage. It is a revolutionary concert residency featuring digital avatars, known as "ABBAtars," of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. The show is staged in a custom-built, state-of-the-art venue, the ABBA Arena, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Conceived as a companion to the band's 2021 studio album ''Voyage'', the experience merges cutting-edge motion capture technology with a live ten-piece band to create a unique performance.

Background and development

The project originated from a desire by the members of ABBA—Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad—to create a new kind of concert experience without returning to traditional touring. Initial discussions began in 2016, with serious development commencing after the band's involvement in the ''Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'' film promotions. Key creative figures included producer Ludvig Andersson and director Svana Gisla, who collaborated with a Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) team led by visual effects supervisor Ben Morris. The avatars were created using performance capture technology, recording the band members over five weeks in 2018 at Shepperton Studios. The bespoke ABBA Arena was designed by Stufish Entertainment Architects and constructed in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a legacy site from the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Concert experience

The 90-minute show presents the "ABBAtars" as digital performers from the band's 1979 prime, performing a setlist of hit songs from their career alongside tracks from the ''Voyage'' album. The performance is accompanied by a live ten-piece band, including musicians from the original ABBA recording sessions, which creates a dynamic hybrid experience. The custom-built ABBA Arena features a 65-million-pixel screen and a sophisticated lighting and sound system designed by PRG. The venue's layout and acoustics, overseen by sound designer Bernie Davis, are engineered to provide an immersive experience for the audience, blending the virtual performers seamlessly with the physical band and theatrical effects.

Technology and production

The creation of the "ABBAtars" was a pioneering effort in digital performance. Industrial Light & Magic utilized volumetic capture techniques and complex machine learning algorithms to translate the 2018 performance capture data into hyper-realistic digital performers. The band members wore specialized motion capture suits, and their performances were directed by Svana Gisla. The production involved over 1,000 visual effects artists and required the development of new software tools to render details like skin, hair, and the intricate beading on the iconic costumes designed by B. Åkerlund. The entire system is synchronized in real-time with the live band's performance, conducted by musical director Mattias Bylund, within the technologically advanced ABBA Arena.

Critical reception

Upon its premiere, the show received widespread critical acclaim. Publications like The Guardian, The Times, and ''Variety'' praised the technological achievement and emotional resonance of the production. Reviewers frequently highlighted the uncanny realism of the avatars and the powerful nostalgia of the music. The show has been described as setting a new benchmark for live entertainment, with particular commendation for its seamless integration of digital and live elements. It has been nominated for and won several awards, including a The Stage Award for Innovation and recognition at the Live Entertainment Awards.

Commercial performance

The residency has been a significant commercial success. Ticket sales commenced in 2021, with initial dates selling out rapidly, leading to multiple extensions. The show has consistently played to capacity audiences at the 3,000-seat ABBA Arena, contributing substantially to tourism in London and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area. The venture is projected to generate hundreds of millions in revenue, with plans for potential future installations in other global cities like Las Vegas and Singapore. The accompanying ''Voyage'' album also achieved global chart success, topping the UK Albums Chart and charts across Europe.

Cultural impact

The project is regarded as a landmark event in the evolution of live music and entertainment technology. It has influenced discussions about the future of touring, legacy acts, and the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in performance. The success has spurred interest from other major artists and entertainment conglomerates in developing similar digital avatar projects. Furthermore, it has cemented ABBA's enduring legacy in popular culture, bridging generations of fans and demonstrating the potential for technology to create new forms of artistic expression rooted in musical history. The ABBA Arena itself has become a cultural landmark in East London.

Category:Concert tours Category:2022 concert tours Category:ABBA