ABBA Voyage experience

[Celloo Deng 55,092]

I finally went to watch ABBA Voyage a few days ago so I thought I'd share a bit about my experience. I know there are some other ABBA fans here on this site who might be interested. I will include spoilers about the show so don't read on if you're trying to avoid this.

Firstly, the venue. I'm familiar with east London as I used to live there for a few years, and this felt like it was in the middle of nowhere despite being so close to the Olympic village, but easy enough to find as long as you have Google maps with you or can get straight to Pudding Mill Lane DLR station (the arena is right next to it). I arrived as soon as the main doors opened at 6pm and it was very quick to get in, have bags checked, tickets scanned, etc. I also bought some merch, there is a huge selection and you can find it all online before you go (it's not easy to see everything they have on offer once you're there). The doors to the actual arena itself didn't open until 7pm so we waited around for quite a while before going in, don't get there as early as I did! 

It was pretty much a sold out show and the standing area was packed come 7:45pm when the show started. The demographic was mostly over 40s who were dressed up and having a great time with some drinks! A really nice positive atmosphere and lots of obvious super fans were there.

The lighting and effects are incredible from the very start, I was blown away by the production. The ABBAtars look incredibly realistic when they're dancing around each other on the stage, even down to the way you can see their hair moving. They're also projected on screens where they end up looking more like CGI because you can see in such detail. There's a live band which are fantastic and includes live singers too. I was in the seated area but most people around me were up and dancing and singing for almost the whole show. 

My personal highlights of the setlist are the opening songs and the more upbeat clubby songs in the middle, in particular:

'The Visitors' is a perfect opening track and sounds so grand with the sounds of the synths filling up the arena. This wasn't one of my favourite ABBA songs in the past but it totally is now. 'Hole In Your Soul' was obviously made to be played loudly and for a crowd and it really hit the mark, I'm so happy they included this song. The crowd then went absolutely wild for hits such as 'SOS', 'Mamma Mia' and 'Chiquitita' that followed.

'Does Your Mother Know' was the one song played mostly by the live band without ABBAtars or strong visuals to support, and it was a perfect way to bring them more into the overall concert experience and give them some recognition. A great way to switch up the show a bit too.

'Eagle', 'Lay All Your Love On Me', 'Summer Night City', 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and 'Voulez Vous' being played in succession was the best part for me. The crowd went nuts for these, they sounded fantastic and the visuals were the best at this point. 

The setlist is really great but I probably would have included 'Super Trouper', 'Angeleyes' or 'As Good As New' and removed 'When All Is Said And Done'.

Getting back to my hotel after the show was easy but be prepared for quite a long wait at Pudding Mill Lane station. The TFL staff were great and managed the crowds by letting through enough to fill one train at a time but it does mean you're standing and waiting for a while. 

I'm going again next month and I'm already excited for round 2, I'll be standing this time and aim to be as close to the live band as possible!

[robboadam 2,250]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I saw it in early June and was similarly blown away. I do think the closer you get the more you start to see how it works (we were standing right at the front), but it’s still so realistic and unbelievable.

Definitely one of those ‘see it to believe it’ type of things!

[Anderson123 38,495]

Looks like such a great show! I've seen some clips and I'm obsessed with Lay All Your Love On Me -> Summer Night City. The transition is incredible.

[Anderson123 38,495]

Oh I was also reading that they will revamp the show eventually and include hits that are obviously missing there like Super Trouper and Take A Chance On Me. So it seems like they do have plans to switch it up every now and then.

[Celloo Deng 55,092]

Just now, Anderson123 said:

Oh I was also reading that they will revamp the show eventually and include hits that are obviously missing there like Super Trouper and Take A Chance On Me. So it seems like they do have plans to switch it up every now and then.

oh yes, I did see this rumoured somewhere! it makes sense, I thought it was odd that they would skip some of their biggest hits. they are so business-savvy I'd be very surprised if they didn't have some changes planned to keep the superfans coming.