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ABBA, one of the most successful music groups of all time, have announced their almost 40-year comeback with a new studio album – listen to two songs here – and a new concert that will see singers Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and the instrumentalists / Songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus perform digitally via avatars with a group of 10 musicians live in a purpose-built arena in London, starting May 27, 2022.
The album “Voyage” will be released worldwide on November 5th via the Capitol label of Universal Music Group. The two new songs, “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down”, were recorded by the band at Andersson’s Riksmixningsverket studio in Stockholm and will both appear in the concert. The songs are ABBA’s first new material since the release of the single “Under Attack” in December 1982, although the members, now all in their sixties, have released several solo projects.
According to the announcement, the digital versions of ABBA were created “after weeks and months of motion capture and performance techniques with the four band members and a team of 850 people from Industrial Light & Magic,” the company founded by George Lucas.
“ABBA Voyage” will open on May 27 the ABBA Arena, a state-of-the-art 3,000-seat arena located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Pre-registrations for tickets open at 6 p.m. Thursday (September 2) on abbavoyage.com with tickets on general sale from September 7.
The announcement follows three and a half years of tantalizing statements by Ulvaeus and Andersson about the new music – first two songs, then six, as well as some form of virtual performance – underway. The couple said in 2019 that the music would be delayed while the concert preparations were completed, and finally an encrypted message on “ABBA Voyage” was posted on social media last week.
In a lengthy statement released on Thursday, the group said:
“It’s been a long time since we’ve done music together. Almost 40 years, in fact. We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we have decided it is time to end it. They say it’s reckless to wait 40+ years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up of [1981’s] ‘Visitors.’ To tell the truth, the main inspiration for recording again comes from our involvement in creating the strangest and most spectacular concert you could dream of. We’re going to be able to sit in an audience and watch ourselves perform our songs on a stage in a custom-built arena in London next spring. Weird and wonderful!
“To all of you who have patiently followed us in one way or another over the past decades: thank you for waiting, it is time for a new journey to begin.
“We just call it ‘Voyage’ and we are really sailing in uncharted waters. With the help of our young people, we travel to the future. It’s not easy to explain, but it hasn’t been done before.
Andersson said: “It’s hard to say what’s been the happiest thing for me (Benny) with this project, whether it’s the involvement in creating the gig with everyone or coming back to the studio together. after 40 years. I think hearing Frida and Agnetha sing again is hard to beat. When you come into the arena you will find the four of us with an absolutely glorious 10-piece band. And even if it isn’t. not in the flesh, we’ll be there, thanks to the work of the creative team and ILM.
Lyngstad said, “Those first sessions in 2018 were so much fun and when Benny called and asked if I was considering (Anni-Frid) singing a little more, I jumped on it! And what songs !! My Respect and love go out to these exceptionally talented and truly awesome songwriters! What a joy to work with the band again. I’m so happy with what we did, and sincerely hope our fans feel the same.
Fältskog said: “When we got back together at the studio, I (Agnetha) didn’t know what to expect… I can’t believe that finally the time has come to share this with the world!
Ulvaeus said: “They are such amazing singers, these two, I (Björn) was completely stunned by how they delivered these songs. They are real musicians; totally unimpressed with the pop star’s glamor but still having fun being creative in a recording studio. The “Voyage” project has breathed new life into us in more ways than one.
“So, again, thanks for waiting!” We hope to see you in the “ABBA Arena” and yes – see – because we have infused a good chunk of our souls into these avatars. It is no exaggeration to say that we are back.
ABBA is one of the most popular musical artists in history, having sold hundreds of millions of albums worldwide since its formation in Sweden in 1972. The simple yet highly sophisticated songs of the band have endured since the band, made up of two married couples, separated amid the breakup of the two couples in 1982. They established a model for pop music that has gained prominence in recent years, exemplified by the work of compatriots Max Martin (who has worked with everyone from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake over the past two decades) on the business side and Robyn on the innovation side.
While songwriters Andersson and Ulvaeus continued to work together (including a musical, “Chess,” with lyricist Tim Rice in 1984), the four members did not appear together publicly on stage again until 2016.
Producers Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson said: “The magic of ABBA and the Herculean efforts of all this wonderful team are reaching a long awaited milestone today. Being able to finally share this business with the world is a proud moment for us and we look forward to welcoming you to our arena in East London, a place we are so happy to be.
Universal Music Group President / CEO Lucian Grainge said: “From the very beginning of my career, and having had the privilege of working directly with them for many years, it has been a tremendous joy to be surrounded by ‘ABBA and their music. Their limitless creativity and timeless melodies make us want to partner with them in everything they do because we know it will be just great.
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