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Let’s be blunt: when you first hear the idea, it sounds awful. A “virtual” concert? With “holograms” of a band that hasn’t toured in 40 years? It conjures images of that grainy Tupac projection at Coachella or a cheesy VR experience. It sounds like a high-tech cash grab.
And then you see it.
ABBA Voyage is not a gimmick. It is not a movie. It is not a tribute act. It is a jaw-dropping, emotionally overwhelming spectacle that feels more “live” than most live concerts I’ve ever been to.1 It’s a new art form, a time machine, and frankly, a bit of a miracle. I went in a skeptic and came out a believer. But the question is, what is it really, and is it worth the pilgrimage to London?
Your Guide to the ABBA Arena
- The Dance Floor: This is the standing area. It’s the best option if you want the full, immersive “gig” experience. You’ll be surrounded by people singing and dancing. It’s pure joy.
- Seated Blocks: These seats offer a wider, panoramic view of the entire spectacle. You see the “ABBAtars,” the live band, and the staggering lighting effects all at once.
- The Dance Booths: These are the VIP option.2 You get a private, raised booth with your own dance floor for a group. It’s pricey, but it’s the ultimate party.
So, What Are You Actually Looking At?
Let’s get this out of the way: they are not holograms. The term “ABBAtar” is cutesy, but the technology is anything but. This is Industrial Light & Magic (the people who do Star Wars) at the absolute peak of their powers.3 The four members of ABBA, in their 70s, performed the entire concert in motion-capture suits for five weeks. ILM then took that data and “de-aged” them, creating perfect, photorealistic digital versions of the band from their 1979 prime.
These digital performers are projected onto a colossal, 65-million-pixel screen, but the stagecraft is so brilliant, with lighting and physical set pieces, that your brain is instantly tricked.4 They don’t look like a video; they look like 3D, solid beings. They cast shadows.5 Their crystal costumes sparkle and reflect light. After 60 seconds, your skepticism just… dissolves. You are watching ABBA.
The Temple of ABBA
This isn’t happening in a repurposed stadium. They built an entire arena just for this show in London.6 The hexagonal, 3,000-capacity venue is a masterpiece of design. It’s intimate, and the show’s producers have total control over every single element, from the seating to the sound.
The most crucial element, and the one that makes it feel “live,” is the 10-piece band that is actually on stage. These are world-class musicians playing every note of “SOS” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” with ferocious energy. The ABBAtars interact with them. They “strum” their guitars, and you hear the real guitar. The only part of the show that is “recorded” are the vocals, using the pristine master tapes of ABBA’s prime. The blend of past and present is seamless.7 The light show and wrap-around screens are unlike anything I’ve ever seen; they don’t just support the show, they are the show, turning the entire arena into a pulsing, digital world.8
The Moment Your Brain Breaks (In a Good Way)
There’s a moment about five minutes in, right after the stunning opener “The Visitors.” Agnetha and Anni-Frid step forward. They “look” out at the audience, their digital eyes seeming to make contact. They banter with each other, and Benny “sits” at his piano. The transition is so flawless that you simply accept it.
You know they are not real. You know you are looking at a screen. But your brain and your heart refuse to believe it. It feels tangible. When the opening piano glissando of “Dancing Queen” hits and 3,000 people have a simultaneous, joyous meltdown, the line between real and digital is irrelevant. It’s just magic. The “uncanny valley” that plagues so much digital human creation is completely absent. They didn’t just cross it; they built a city on the other side.
Dance Floor vs. Seated: The Big Decision
This is the most practical question, and it really depends on what you want from the night. I have spoken to people who have done both, and the consensus is clear.
If you want to feel like you were at a real ABBA gig, book the Dance Floor. You will be on your feet for 90 minutes, singing at the top of your lungs with strangers, and you’ll feel the bass thumping through your chest. The ABBAtars are life-size, and you are right there with them. It’s the most “fun” option.
If you want to be awestruck by the sheer scale of the production, get a seat. From the raised seating, your eye can take in the whole package. You see the incredible light show moving across the ceiling, the full width of the screen, and the way the live band integrates with the digital performers. It’s less of a “gig” and more of a “spectacle.” You can’t go wrong, but they are two distinct experiences.
Is It Worth It?
Without a doubt, yes. This is not a nostalgia act. It’s not a gimmick. It is a genuine “I was there when…” moment in the history of live entertainment. This show will be copied for decades, but it will never be bettered, because it’s built on a foundation of something pure: iconic songs, meticulous craftsmanship, and the actual, captured souls of the performers themselves.
ABBA Voyage is a stunning technical achievement, but its real triumph is emotional. It’s a 90-minute injection of pure, unadulterated joy. It’s a time machine, a concert, and a work of art all at once. My advice is simple: just go.
