Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[Music] ABBA Voyage







dolphins

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2012
5,649
BN1, in GOSBTS
Been three times and a great event - even if you don't like Abba, it's got to be difficult not to be impressed by the realism of the foursome, the cracking 11 piece live band, the great screens/videos at the back of the stage and the incredible lighting. Even the venue (which apparently is a bit like an Ikea construction on a grand scale, and enables a simpler move to another location at some point in the future) is really good. Agreed about the ease of transport too - DLR station right outside.

Oh, and most people in the seats DON'T get up and dance. Thankfully.
 






jcdenton08

Offended Liver Sausage
NSC Patron
Oct 17, 2008
14,452
It played 98% occupancy last year which is absolutely phenomenal.


I haven’t been to see it personally but the effects are said to be very impressive, combined with the live elements.

It’s done particularly well considering the saturation of ABBA stuff - there’s Mamma Mia! still running the West End, there was until recently Mamma Mia! The Party running at the o2, plus the numerous tribute acts, both Mamma Mia! movies, the new songs…

It took over £100m last year which in theatre/live event terms for a resident production is absolutely sensational.
 
Last edited:




Grizz

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 5, 2003
1,493
Like everyone else, I thought it was astonishing, loved every minute of it. I think for the first song I was just amazed at how life like it all was, but that it was still computer generated. Then the light show kicks in, the live band adds to the whole atmosphere and it just felt like being at a real gig.

As others have said, we got dance floor tickets and stood about 3/4 of the way back. Felt like a good spot, not looking up all the time and the seats looked boring. No qualms paying the £80 a ticket about 18 months ago.

Very few people stood and danced in the seats, maybe at the very end, but there were certainly a lot of elderly and mobility impaired people in that section when we went.
 








trueblue

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
10,947
Hove
Went yesterday. Absolutely brilliant. If you are thinking about going then just do it.
Surprised to see the real ABBA walk on at the end now in their 70s (or were they real.?)
If I remember correctly, the story of the preview night sums up how impressive it is. Abba really were there that day. The audience gave the group a standing ovation when they emerged at the end - only to realise they'd been applauding the avatars when the actual band members took to the stage.

We had a great time when we went too. Very clever and fascinating. Brilliant view wherever you sit. Incredible cash cow but good luck to them - it was a very expensive risk in the first place.
 








Genuine question: do people not have any issue paying that much for a holographic gig? Had considered going last year, but once we looked at the ticket prices, no way could we justify it.
I paid 77 and was worth every bit. Firstly, the music and experience is brilliant from beginning to end, the hall is relatively quite small so has quite a refreshing intimate feel given how most big gigs are in aircraft hangers these days. Second there is the fascination of how the technology will work. Sure, it will become commoplace over the next few decades and you may feel world wearniness is justified then after seeing it multiple times. But to see how well they've done it as a first attempt, it's genuinely amazing.

My only regret is standing so far back in the standing pit - I'd have loved to be right next to the holograms at the front to see them close up! But you got to be there early for that
 


I looked but the tickets seemed so expensive. Would be interested though.
One of those events that definitely seems to be targeted by Ticketmaster's now notorious (thanks to the Oasis tour exposing it to a wider audience) Dynamic Pricing model - ie, the more popular an event is, they raise the price of tickets.

Would recommend looking further out time wise for the most reasonably priced tickets for the show. Booked for July last year as a Christmas present for my mum about 9 months beforehand. Both had a wonderful time and loved every minute of it. I'd absolutely love to go again.
 


Super Steve Earle

Well-known member
Feb 23, 2009
8,919
North of Brighton
Look where I am

1000008294.jpg
 






Quebec Seagull

Vive le football... LIBRE!
Oct 19, 2022
637
Gatineau, Québec, CANADA
I paid 77 and was worth every bit. Firstly, the music and experience is brilliant from beginning to end, the hall is relatively quite small so has quite a refreshing intimate feel given how most big gigs are in aircraft hangers these days. Second there is the fascination of how the technology will work. Sure, it will become commoplace over the next few decades and you may feel world wearniness is justified then after seeing it multiple times. But to see how well they've done it as a first attempt, it's genuinely amazing.

My only regret is standing so far back in the standing pit - I'd have loved to be right next to the holograms at the front to see them close up! But you got to be there early for that

I've been 3 times, already... It's just a mind-blowing experience! I was there just 2 weeks ago with my 15-year-old daughter fan -- she's usually very adolescently self-conscious and anxious about her appearance, actions, etc., but let loose when she realised everyone around her (including her 50+ dad) was singing and dancing like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, lol.

I've been on the dance floor each time, and I can tell you that the best spot is between the 5th and 10th rows of people from the stage. I was right up against the front of it my second time to better admire the VFX, but you really need to be well nested in the throng of grooving fellow ABBAmaniacs to enjoy the atmosphere and communal trip to the fullest.

.
 


Super Steve Earle

Well-known member
Feb 23, 2009
8,919
North of Brighton
If I remember correctly, the story of the preview night sums up how impressive it is. Abba really were there that day. The audience gave the group a standing ovation when they emerged at the end - only to realise they'd been applauding the avatars when the actual band members took to the stage.

We had a great time when we went too. Very clever and fascinating. Brilliant view wherever you sit. Incredible cash cow but good luck to them - it was a very expensive risk in the first place.
I went to the security test night with half capacity crowd to test everything. Not sure if that's the same as the preview night. Basically doing the full show with an audience to check how everything works. My son lives 5min from the Arena so we got free tickets. Amazing night, avatars, band, innovative light show overhead and excellent staging. The brain believes you are watching the live ABBA on stage, because it's so realistic and we are trained to think the images on screen are images and the characters on stage are real. So that's what we see. We saw Benny in the audience, but frankly have no idea if the four older members of ABBA who came out and thanked us at the end were holograms or the band. We thought they were real because they stood in front of where the holograms stood and nearer the audience, but by then we had no idea. Forget what you aren't seeing (the live band). You are paying for a phenomenal, technological experience and show created around some of the finest popular music of the last 50 years. If you don't go, you won't regret it, because it's impossible to imagine what it is like. I would say to anybody who enjoys a musical experience or show, just save up your money, book well in advance or very late, and go with an open mind to enjoy yourself. I have been to every type of concert experience from Barry Manilow, David Essex, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson to Pink Floyd, Free, Led Zep, Rolling Stones and all points in between. This show was that amazing.
P.S. I didn't go again today, I was babysitting.
P.P.S. Travelodge on the High Street 10m walk away can be had for £50 if booked in advance and worried about late night getting home.
P.P.P.S. I sold our 4 ticket stubs, plastic bags to leave our phones at the door and security wrist bands for £130 on eBay. Kerrching!
 


Anger

Well-known member
Jul 21, 2017
528
In any case, it's Abba music so what's not to like?

Well... err.. the ABBA music.















I’m joking. It was played a lot in our house (not my choice but I have to admit they are good).
 




PeterT

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2017
2,302
Hove
I’ve just put 2 tickets on Twickets for Friday night, November 15 if anyone is interested. They are the lowest price band, so I think it’s about £29 each. Twickets add a small fee on as well.

I have too busy a day now to be able to go, though might reconsider if they don’t sell…….
 


Eeyore

Colonel Hee-Haw of Queen's Park
NSC Patron
Apr 5, 2014
25,862
I’ve just put 2 tickets on Twickets for Friday night, November 15 if anyone is interested. They are the lowest price band, so I think it’s about £29 each. Twickets add a small fee on as well.

I have too busy a day now to be able to go, though might reconsider if they don’t sell…….
Your tickets didn't last long on there
 


Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here