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Post by johnny on Jun 4, 2024 10:14:42 GMT
johnny, your review takes me back to my own visit in December and the strange feeling of let-down during Eagle. The cartoon aside, I thought the band and vocals didn't sit as well together as they should. Maybe this would be the song the band performs, and let the Bjornbot perform DMYK. Hometime, I was so looking forward to Eagle when I found out it was in the concert/show as it's in my Top 10 ABBA songs. If the band played it, the Casual Fans, the vast majority of the audience might think the band were acting as a Supporting Act and playing one of their songs! Ha ha The show is original vocals and a live band. For sure it doesn't work so well with Eagle, DSMD or one of your favourites WAISAD. That's more the reason those songs had to have extra special ABBAtars. But I am surprised how well it works with everything else. |
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Post by eddie on Jun 5, 2024 16:14:03 GMT
I hope you enjoyed reliving the experience, Johnny.
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robert@southfields.biz
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Post by robert@southfields.biz on Jun 17, 2024 18:36:55 GMT
It looks like releasing DVD's with the ABBAtars would go down well, judging by the above reviews. Maybe that is a way of getting some money back? I would buy a DVD with a few of them on! Obviously, not at the detriment to the show, but as a taster maybe? Would obviously, have to look really, really good and convincing!!
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robert@southfields.biz
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Post by robert@southfields.biz on Jun 17, 2024 18:41:44 GMT
Sound does not seem to be mentioned. For me as I am not a teenager the sound was terrible. You certainly couldn't hear the words and often I couldn't hear the tune either. I went wanting to hear ABBA songs at their best and it simply didn't happen . The visuals were brilliant
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Post by johnny on Jun 17, 2024 19:05:04 GMT
I thought the sound was brilliant for the most part.
It didn't quite work on DSMD or WAISAD - the studio versions much better. And perhaos too Eagle.
But overall, really good.
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Post by jj on Aug 1, 2024 9:56:34 GMT
I attended on the 1st of July this year - a month ago already!
I thought it was a very good tribute to ABBA's music. 7/10. However, if I can be completely honest, the knowledge that I was actually seeing only a representation of ABBA did diminish the experience for me. Plus the fact that I'd read sooooooooo much about it beforehand, and so many, many excellent media and fan reviews.
Agnetha on the big screen looked fake for the first three quarters of the show, after which she improved a lot to appear quite realistic. Bjorn not so good. Frida to me looked glassy-eyed and even seemed to have a slight squint for the first half, but by the end her eyes seemed more how they should. Benny looked good. But at the end of the day, I could still tell they were not real. How picky I am! Sorry!
The most astounding thing about the experience for me was after the show, in the arena's lobby/shop/bar area, where I witnessed large groups of really happy, delighted people - most of them too young to have been around when ABBA were an active group - singing jubilantly together (and some forming a long conga line) to some of ABBA's other big songs that weren't part of the show itself: "TACOM", "When I Kissed the Teacher", "Super Trouper", "Honey Honey", "Money, Money, Money", and a few others, including "One of Us", were belted out, loudly, and without the help of any visible lyrics. They all knew the songs word-for-word! It went on for at least 45 minutes and it was a joy to watch them all. A very moving tribute to ABBA and their music by their mostly newer fans. This spontaneous after-show celebration was the highlight for me, and a nice reminder that the baton has been passed down successfully to people who will outlive the older fans, keeping ABBA alive for at least another few generations.
Would I go again? I'm not sure. I'm so happy it exists, though, and that I managed to see it. It's a must for everyone to see.
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Post by johnny on Aug 1, 2024 14:33:00 GMT
An interesting take....
The most memorable thing a conga by fans in the foyer after the show. Really? On the two occasions I was there, we were ushered out pretty damn quick.
We all know it's not real. Frida looks the best and more realistic. Benny and Bjorn are better-looking than they actually ever were. If I was as ugly as Bjorn I'd want to be transformed. If as grumpy as Benny, to be given the best "ad lib" lines. Agnetha, does seem a bit like a bad wax work dummy but does seem as JJ says to look better as the show goes on.
No comments about song performances? Prefences? Overall experience? Quirky details that some of us might have missed?
JJ. I am not sure your review will convince people to see the show. Actually, I take that back - it won't convince people.
Johnny is back....and biting.
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Post by jj on Aug 1, 2024 14:46:13 GMT
JJ. I am not sure your review will convince people to see the show. Actually, I take that back - it won't convince people. What can I say? You're probably right. I do, however, recommend everyone go and make up their own mind about it. It seems 99% of people thought it was terrific and I'm obviously in the minority, thinking it was just very good. I doubt my review should put anyone off seeing it, especially since the great majority adored the show.
The music was great, just like it sounds on the records, I remember, but that may be because the aural side of the show has mostly faded out of my memory. I remember it now as sounding hardly different from listening to my records.
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Post by Alan on Aug 1, 2024 16:12:15 GMT
Wow, johnny, don’t hold back! 😆 Following on from what jj said… 99% aren’t hardcore fans, but most likely the ABBA Gold/Mamma Mia! crowd, so will be easier to please than people like us. I didn’t expect to be blown away by it. |
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Post by jj on Aug 1, 2024 17:41:20 GMT
I didn’t expect to be blown away by it. Sorry, Alan, but this statement's a bit ambiguous coming so soon after your comment about 99% of people in attendance being Mamma Mia!-level fans. Did you mean you were blown away by it, or that you weren't blown away by it? Because it sounds as though you might be saying that "serious" fans are more likely to be more fussy about the standards, and that you yourself weren't blown away by it, and neither did you expect to be blown away by it. It can also be interpreted as meaning that you were indeed blown away by it - unexpectedly - despite your initial expectations.
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Post by jj on Aug 1, 2024 18:03:15 GMT
The most memorable thing a conga by fans in the foyer after the show. Really? On the two occasions I was there, we were ushered out pretty damn quick. Yes, I can say that it was indeed a big highlight for me and quite wonderful to see and hear all the joyful singing of quite a few ABBA songs that weren't in the show by younger people (under 40 years old) in the foyer area. I guess the management were more accommodating to the lingering crowd in the foyer that night (it was a Monday night after the 7pm session). It did lift my spirits watching and hearing this celebration of ABBA by a huge bunch of strangers, singing songs I imagined had never really ever been sung out loud before in public by a crowd of people. It was like witnessing a mob of people in the street singing songs that heretofore had only been known to me and a secret society of ABBA fans, who would never in a million years be brave enough to sing them out loud in public. It was kinda like having my private musical preferences getting celebrated openly to the world and shouted from the rooftops. It was like a revelation to me, and it made me so happy because it showed that "my" ABBA was everyone's ABBA, and, as if I needed confirmation, that everyone indeed loved, and acknowledged their love for, ABBA, out in the open, with no fear of being ridiculed.
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Post by Alan on Aug 1, 2024 19:24:33 GMT
To clarify, jj, I was not blown away by it. The first time (May 2022), I was a bit underwhelmed, but I was seated on one side of the arena. The second time (January this year), I was stood right at the front (slightly to the right, so was directly behind Benny). I enjoyed it much more the second time, my only real criticism being the songs performed behind the curtain, though being closer to them highlighted the imperfections. I’m going again on 7 September, and again intending to be stood at the front. A real plus point was that there was no overcrowding, there was plenty of space. I could look at them and imagine the performance was just for me! That will probably be the last time I go though, unless there is a setlist change (which I’ve talked myself out of happening!) A major issue with ABBA songs for me is that I’m way too over-familiar with the big hits. The album tracks and non-international singles therefore are the highlights for me. A show of album tracks I would love, but it’s obviously not commercially viable and would make it a dull show for the masses. |
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Post by welshboy on Aug 2, 2024 14:13:25 GMT
I have been a fan for a very long time. I went to the show on the press night with the four members of Abba there. I don't know what I was expecting but I think it was a wonderful show. Yes on the big screen you could tell something was not quite right with their faces. But the four figures standing on the stage with the shadows behind them they looked so real. You looked at the band playing and you couldn't tell who was real or not. It was so great to see the real group there too. As I had not been able to get to see then play in 1979. I would say if you have not gone to see the show yet go as I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Post by clumsylikeaclown on Aug 2, 2024 17:02:15 GMT
I've seen the show twice now - once two years ago and again last month. Yes, if you look at certain details closer it's very obvious they're not real people, and the LAYLOM sequence looks especially robotic. But in the moment you don't let little details like that phase you and you accept it for the show of lights and energy that it is. I sat in different places both times and what your eyes get drawn to from different angles made it feel like seeing two whole different shows!
The Eagle and Voulez-Vous animated sections are unusual but credit to them for trying something different.
Overall it's a great show and if you went you're unlikely to regret it.
The tracklist is great too. The only replacements I'd make are subbing Hole In Your Soul with Take A Chance On Me and maybe Voulez-Vous for Super Trouper.
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Post by johnny on Aug 2, 2024 17:46:52 GMT
I liked the show overall but a few niggles.
1. The cartoons, they could have got away with one, Eagle but VV need a proper performance
2. The sequencing of WAISAD, DSMD and ISHFIY - three lesser known songs one after another.
3. The screen behind the screen for some songs.
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