ABBA: Last News

KISS’ upcoming avatar show will be like “Cirque Du Soleil meets Star Wars and a KISS concert”.The future production will be overseen by Pophouse Entertainment, the company behind ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ show, in which the Swedish pop group were represented by holographic virtual avatars on stage.Pophouse acquired KISS’ catalogue, brand name and IP in April, while the band first unveiled their ‘new era’ at the final show of ftheir farewell tour last December in Madison Square Garden. After leaving the stage, the band members’ avatars were revealed, and they went on to perform ‘God Gave Rock And Roll To You’.Shortly afterwards, the band’s co-founder Gene Simmons confirmed that the band’s virtual avatars will “get better”, and revealed that “about 200 million” dollars was being invested in the technology.Around the same time, KISS also shared a teaser clip revealing when fans will be able to see their avatars perform.

ABBA‘s virtual Voyage concert residency is receiving a “small” revamp this May for its third anniversary in London – find out more below.Today (March 27), the band and the ABBA Voyage team have announced new changes being made to the acclaimed virtual concert experience to celebrate its third consecutive year.The band said per a press release: “When we first opened we never imagined that we’d still be in London 3 years on. We’re very grateful that so many of you have joined us.

ABBA Voyage has contributed £1.40billion to the UK economy, according to new figures.The virtual concert residency, which features digital avatars depicting the Swedish pop icons as they appeared in 1979, generated the sum between its opening in May 2022 to May 2024.During that time, the live concert experience has attracted over two million visitors, with 31 per cent travelling from outside of the UK.According to a new report by music, culture and creative economy consultancy Sound Diplomacy, attendees spent an average of £220 per day in London, as well as the cost of the ticket to the show at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.The most positive impact is felt in the local boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, with local restaurants and bars receiving £51.26million, commercial shops gaining £27.28million and accommodation £66.38million.The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said: “ABBA Voyage has been a phenomenal success story for London, boosting our economy by more than £1bn and showing again why our capital is a global leader for music and culture.“The fantastic show is an enduring testament to ABBA’s timeless popularity, as well as providing cultural, financial and social benefits. London is proud to host ABBA Voyage and we look forward to continuing to welcome fans from far and wide to see this unique concert as we build a better London for everyone.”In October, it was reported that the show grossed more than £100million in 2023, according to documents filed in the UK with Companies House by Aniara, the company behind the shows.A total of 1,097,597 visitors attended the shows across 2023, with an occupancy rate of 97.8 per cent.

Pierce Brosnan has opened up about the chances of a third Mamma Mia film after meeting with its producer.Speculation over Mamma Mia 3 has been rife over the past few years, with producer Judy Craymer saying back in 2020 that “there’s meant to be a trilogy”.Brosnan – who played Sam Carmichael in 2008 first film and its 2018 sequel Here We Go Again – has now revealed that he recently spoke to Craymer, suggesting that the film is “doable”.“Judy Craymer is a dear friend, and we met during the summer, and I believe that my fellow thespians would all jump at the chance to go and do Mamma Mia 3,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.“I think it’s doable. Of course, it’s always the story.

Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and other industry figures are among those who have signed a statement against using creatives’ work to train AI.The statement, which you can find here, reads: “The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”It follows ongoing legal issues between the creative world and tech firms over the use of their work to train artificial intelligence models such as ChatGPT.Among the 11,500 signatories from across the music, film, theatre and writing world pushing back against the use of intellectual property without permission are Billy Bragg, Kevin Bacon, Robert Smith, Julianne Moore, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ann Patchett, Rosario Dawson and more.Today we’re publishing a statement on AI training, signed by 10,000+ creators already:“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”Signatories include… pic.twitter.com/AqVaEThMs4— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) October 22, 2024Following the release of the statement, Gee Davy, the interim CEO for the Association of Independent Music has said: “On behalf of the UK’s independent music community – businesses who are proud to work in partnership with artists – we support this statement from Fairly Trained.“To achieve the benefits of AI for creativity, we urge policymakers not to lose sight of the need for strong copyright protections.

Last Days Of The Space Age.Created by David Chidlow, the series follows three families in Perth in 1979 as the city gears up to host the year’s Miss Universe pageant.Other cast members include Deborah Mailman, Linh-Dan Pham, Iain Glen, George Mason, Vico Thai, and Thomas Weatherall.All eight episodes of the series were released on Disney+ in the UK on October 2.The show’s score is by Caitlin Yeo, whose past credits include Australian films such as The Rocket, All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane, and 2010’s Jucy.The series features many songs from the era, including tracks by the Bee Gees, Chic, and Donna Summer.

ABBA Voyage grossed more than £100million last year, it’s been revealed.The virtual concert residency, which features digital avatars depicting the Swedish pop icons as they appeared in 1979, attracted over a million visitors in 2023, bringing in over £100m (€120m) altogether over 374 performances.This is according to documents filed in the UK with Companies House by Aniara, the company behind the shows.A total of 1,097,597 visitors attended the shows across 2023, with an occupancy rate of 97.8%. Revenue from ticket sales was £103,665,597, with a pre-tax profit of £6,065,402.

ABBA singer Björn Ulvaeus has married his partner Christina Sas in a ceremony officiated by the comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.Ulvaeus, who has been married twice before, met Sas in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2021 in connection with the release of his band’s last album ‘Voyage’.“Today on the 21st of September 2024, Björn Ulvaeus married Christina Sas from Herning, Denmark,” a post on his Instagram page said on the day of the wedding.“They met in Nürnberg in 2021 in connection with the release of Abba’s last album Voyage and started dating in the spring of 2022.”A post shared by Björn Ulvaeus (@bjornulvaeus)The wedding took place in Copenhagen in the presence of close friends and family.Ulvaeus posted a number of photos from the day, one of which showed the host of BBC show QI, Toksvig, dressed in red robes standing next to Ulvaeus and his wife Sas.Representatives for the singer confirmed to PA (via The Guardian) that Toksvig had officiated the ceremony.ABBA originally comprised two couples – Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Fältskog and Ulvaeus, who married in 1971, divorced in 1980, while Andersson and Lyngstad divorced in 1981 – a year before the band split.

KISS avatar show, saying that it will be “beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated.”In an interview with Billboard on podcast Behind The Setlist, published last Thursday (September 12), Stanley spoke at length about the show following the acquisition of the band’s catalogue, brand name and IP by Pophouse Entertainment, the company behind ABBA‘s ‘Voyage’ show.“People just are thrilled with [‘Voyage’]. I took my wife last month, and I had seen it last year,” Stanley says, as transcribed by Blabbermouth.net.

Mamma Mia 3 is reportedly in the works, according to cast member Christine Baranski.The actress, who plays Tanya Chesham-Leigh in the ABBA jukebox musical film series, gave the new update to The Hollywood Reporter, saying she had met with producer Judy Craymer in London.“She is planning Mamma Mia 3,” she told the publication. “She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen.

Blossoms have shared a new single called ‘Perfect Me’ – you can listen to it below.The song is the latest preview of the Stockport band’s fifth studio album ‘Gary’, which is due for release on September 20 (pre-order/pre-save here).Speaking about the driving, anthemic number on BBC Radio 1 last night (July 23), drummer Joe Donovan explained: “It nearly didn’t make the album, and now full circle – it’s a single.”Frontman Tom Ogden added: “You do that sometimes – you write a lot of songs for a record, and you kind of put some on the back burner; you come back with [a] fresh perspective. And this one rose to the top like bubbles.”The singer went on to reveal that ‘Perfect Me’ was “written around a Moog synthesiser arpeggiator”, adding: “Josh [Dewhurst, guitarist] was messing around with it in the room.

Graham Coxon has revealed that he is open to the idea of Blur getting a hologram show similar to that of ABBA Voyage, but on one condition.The Britpop guitarist discussed the potential of the band getting their own avatars made as part of a hologram show during a new interview with Radio X. In the discussion, he revealed that while he is open to the prospect, he would only want to entertain the idea if it captured the band when they were “a little younger”.“Well Damon’s sort of tackled that a bit with Gorillaz, ain’t he?” Coxon responded when asked about the idea, referring to frontman Damon Albarn’s other band.

Simon Cowell has revealed his one regret with One Direction and how he wished he could create an ABBA Voyage-style show around the boyband.The music mogul and talent show judge appeared as a guest on ITV’s This Morning and opened up about what a potential One Direction reunion would look like. “We would sell out stadiums all over the world,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.

ABBA may never make another public appearance together ever again, says Bjorn Ulvaeus.Earlier this month, the Swedish pop icons gather together for a rare public appearance, where they were honoured with the Royal Vasa Order, a Swedish knighthood. In a new chat on the Rosebud With Gyles Brandreth podcast, Ulvaeus revealed that it may have been their last.Speaking on the honour, Ulvaeus revealed that he and his bandmates had quietly realised it might have been “the last occasion” that all four members would be out and about together.

ABBA reunited for an appearance at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, where they were given the Royal Vasa Order, a Swedish knighthood.All four members – Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson – were in attendance last Friday (May 31) at the country’s Royal Palace, accepting the honour from King Carl XVI Gustaf for their “very distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life.”Per The Associated Press, the Royal Vasa Order is one of the most prestigious knighthoods in the country, and it was handed out for the first time in almost 50 years.The knighthoods were awarded during a solemn ceremony at the Royal Palace’s Vita Havet Assembly Rooms. The monarch handed them the order in a red box while a diploma was given to them by Queen Silvia.”The order you get today is Sweden’s thanks for your exceptional efforts,” the monarch said, as reported by The Associated Press.ABBA have not performed live together since 1982, although they have made sporadic public appearances together – including the unveiling of their ABBA Voyage show in 2022.Last Monday (May 27), Ulvaeus and Andersson participated in a Q&A session on a night that celebrated the second anniversary of ABBA Voyage.The two ABBA members entertained the idea of the Voyage live band performing at Glastonbury.

ABBA have teased the one way they might be able to appear at Glastonbury, as well as discussing their career highlights, heroes and songs they wish they’d written.To celebrate the second anniversary of their ABBA Voyage show last night (May 27), Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson took part in a special Q&A with writer Peter Paphides in front of an arena full of ticket-holders and celebrity fans.At one point, Paphides shared a story told to him by Glasto organiser Emily Eavis.“[She] told me that in the lead-up to last year’s festival, when things were going wrong and she wasn’t sure if it was going to be OK, she would play, [2021 single] ‘I Still Have Faith In You’, and it made it feel like it might just turn out OK.”While the technology of the ‘ABBA-tars’ and the custom-made ABBA Arena is too complicated to take the show to a festival, Ulvaeus and Andersson were open to the idea of the Voyage live band making at appearance at Worthy Farm.“Oh yes! It’s a brilliant idea,” said Ulvaeus.” They’re a great band, why shouldn’t they play?”When Texas‘ Sharleen Spiteri then took the mic to ask the songwriting duo if they’d ever considered getting up on stage to play with the band during a Voyage show, Andersson replied: “Definitely. Maybe if they play Glastonbury and need an extra piano player…”Speaking to NME last year about taking the full ABBA Voyage experience to Glasto, Ulvaeus said: “I don’t think that’s possible, yet.

Noel Gallagher has said he would be “bang up” for an Oasis hologram show after watching ABBA‘s ‘Voyage’ concert.Speaking on Matt Morgan’s podcast, Gallagher said he was so impressed with the show, which features de-aged digital holograms of ABBA, backed by a live 10-piece band playing over vocals originally recorded in the ‘70s and ‘80s, that he would consider a concert based on his former band’s shows in the 1990s.He said: “I went to see that Abba show. Have you been? It’s f***ing unbelievable.” It was great – an hour and a half gig.

ABBA have marked the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision win with ‘Waterloo’ in a new statement today (April 6).50 years ago today, the Swedish icons, made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad, won Eurovision after performing in the final of the competition at the Brighton Dome. In 2005, the track was chosen as the best song in Eurovision’s history as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the contest.In a new statement marking the historic occasion, the band said: “It’s slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several.“We see evidence of that every time one of us visits ABBA Voyage in London and it’s because of this we can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world.”To further mark the occasion, Andersson has recorded a short piano piece called the ‘Piano Moment’ that will be experienced as if he were at the competition and playing live.

The Hives have paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning Eurovision while playing at the Brighton Dome.Last night (April 3), the Swedish Rock band took the stage at the Brighton Dome in the UK as part of their ongoing ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’ tour. Before commencing the third track of the night, frontman Pelle Almqvist took the time to explain why it was an iconic night.“About 50 years and a day ago, ABBA from Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest in this very room.

final night of their farewell tour in December at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, they ended by revealing digitized avatars of themselves.The cutting-edge technology was created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse. The two companies recently teamed up for the “ABBA Voyage” show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band in their heyday, as performed by their own digital avatars.The ways in which Kiss’ avatars will be utilized has yet to be announced, but Pophouse CEO Per Sundin says fans can expect a biopic, a documentary and a Kiss experience on the horizon.An avatar show is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027 — but don’t expect it to look anything like “ABBA Voyage,” Sundin told the AP.

ABBA are reportedly set to take their acclaimed ‘Voyage’ hologram show to Las Vegas to the tune of millions of dollars.The band have reportedly been in talks with Resorts World to bring the Abbatars to Vegas following its huge success in London over the last couple of years.“ABBA has been secretly in talks for a while about getting a deal in Vegas,” a source told the Daily Star [via MusicNews].“The music of Abba is well liked in the US and the unique selling point of avatars makes it more than an ABBA show as the spectacular is something that could well wow audiences.”Last year, it was reported that a world tour was in the works for the virtual concert experience, but no plans have been confirmed in regard to the timeframe or locations where it could happen.In an interview with NME last year to coincide with the show welcoming its millionth visitor, Bjorn Ulvaeus was asked about what the future of the show involves. “We hope to stay in this venue for as long as we can.