ABBA returns?: Iconic disco group meets realistic holograms

On Aug. 26, ABBA’s Instagram and Twitter posted a mysterious photo captioned, “Join us.” The attached link led to a website titled ABBA Voyage with the words “Thank you for waiting, the journey is about to begin.”

ABBA is made up of four Swedish musicians: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the main composers, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog. They became an official group in 1974 when they won a festival with the song “Waterloo,” which reached top charts in Europe and in the United States. The group became an icon in the disco genre with songs like “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando.”

         In 1981, the group released their last album, “The Visitors.” After this release, Benny and Björn worked together on a musical while Agnetha and Anni-Frid worked on their solo albums. In 1982, ABBA decided to take a break to focus on other things and then get back together in a few years. We know that never happened. Benny and Björn reunited to work on the musical “Mamma Mia,” but the group never came together to produce new music.

         I was exposed to ABBA music through my father, who has been a fan throughout the group’s career. He always had their music playing in his office. My own love for the group started with the “Mamma Mia!” movie starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. That movie brought the songs to life, and I was very excited for the sequel.

         ABBA's fans have once again risen up in excitement with these recent announcements. The band’s reunion was scheduled to be livestreamed on Sept. 2, 2021. Rumor had it that the four members, now well into their 70s, would be attending the event and revealing their “ABBA-tars,” hologram avatars of their younger selves. These holograms will go on tour performing ABBA’s songs.

         I attended the livestream, and it was nothing like I expected. The new album was released, and the world watched the “ABBA-tars” for the first time. The creation involved recording the four members in leotards with sensors to create the most realistic characters. The resemblance was uncanny. The livestream only featured short clips so as to not spoil the tour, which will be in a specifically built stadium in London. After working on this project for the last five years, ABBA’s members will be going their separate ways again. Another reunion is unlikely, but their holographic tour will be immortalized.

Annelise Jacobs is a sophomore

communication major

from Peru, Maine.