Imagine hearing a near replica of “Mamma Mia” as ABBA songs come to life before your very eyes.
On Friday, the audience in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center journeyed back to the ’70s with The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA. Many of the older guests relived their glory days through the nostalgia and familiar dance moves.
Back in the age of eight-track tapes and gold chains, the ABBA quartet rose in stardom after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Soon the two Swedish couples, Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad, became the second most successful band of all time, after The Beatles.
In 1982, the band split up after both couples divorced. While ABBA recently reunited in June for its 50th anniversary performance, after 30 years of absence, they do not plan on reconciling their band. However, The Concert provides a way for the pop phenomenon to live on today and fill that disco hole in hearts across the country.
The ABBA tribute singers reincarnate the youth of the original ABBA members, who are now in their 70s. According to its Facebook page, The Concert has performed in more than 20 countries with more than 1,000 shows. Most of the shows are at sold-out venues like Hollywood Bowl and Highland Park. Critics call them, “The best ABBA since ABBA.”
One way the band represented ABBA was through its elaborate, disco-era outfits. The Andersson impressionist rocked thick pumps and silky, flared pants while the women wore identical costumes. Throughout the show the women went through countless costume changes, which were strategically planned out with the use of solos. While one woman was changing, the other would perform and vice versa.
The show opened with a helicopter propeller noise landing into “Summer Night City.” The Fältskog and Lyngstad singers danced around the stage making it feel like one big party. All eyes were on them as they took the stage in synchronization.
Keeping with the electric guitar feel, The Concert played “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” As soon as they broke into the chorus, the audience started nodding and joining in.
The four main singers did a great job of keeping the audience engaged. Not only did they get the audience stomping their feet and swaying their arms in the air, but they also joked around with them.
“Well, ABBA is for all generations right? So next time, please bring your parents,” the Fältskog singer said.
Though most of the songs took the guests on an emotional ride with the dismal relationship lyrics, they eased their way into the upbeat, familiar songs as well. Prior to intermission, The Concert performed “Mamma Mia,” leaving the audience yearning for more.
The Concert appeared with new outfits and even greater songs after a brief break. The remainder of the show consisted of “SOS,” “Fernando,” “The Winner Takes It All” and “Does Your Mother Know.”
As expected, The Concert left “Dancing Queen” for the end. The disco ball-shining song left the theater in an eruption of applause.
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