The members of Abba had a rare reunion Friday to receive one of Sweden’s highest honors at the royal palace in Stockholm.
Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were given the Royal Vasa Order by King Carl XVI Gustaf. The group was awarded the honor for their “very distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life.”
The Royal Vasa Order is a knighthood given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden, as well as the successful performance of public duties and assignments, the Associated Press writes. They are the first Swedish citizens in nearly 50 years to receive the honor.
The four members of Abba have not performed live together since 1982, and have only made a handful of appearances together over the ensuing decades. They most recently came together in 2022 at their avatar show Abba: Voyage in London. They used that occasion to to record 2021’s Voyage,...
Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were given the Royal Vasa Order by King Carl XVI Gustaf. The group was awarded the honor for their “very distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life.”
The Royal Vasa Order is a knighthood given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden, as well as the successful performance of public duties and assignments, the Associated Press writes. They are the first Swedish citizens in nearly 50 years to receive the honor.
The four members of Abba have not performed live together since 1982, and have only made a handful of appearances together over the ensuing decades. They most recently came together in 2022 at their avatar show Abba: Voyage in London. They used that occasion to to record 2021’s Voyage,...
- 6/1/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The members of Abba staged a rare reunion Friday to receive one of Sweden’s highest honors at the royal palace in Stockholm.
Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were given the Royal Vasa Order by King Carl XVI Gustaf, with Abba awarded the honor for their “very distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life.”
Abba marked the first Swedish citizens to receive the Royal Vasa Order — a knighthood that is given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden as well as the successful performance of public duties and assignments,...
Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were given the Royal Vasa Order by King Carl XVI Gustaf, with Abba awarded the honor for their “very distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life.”
Abba marked the first Swedish citizens to receive the Royal Vasa Order — a knighthood that is given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden as well as the successful performance of public duties and assignments,...
- 6/1/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Doctor Who gained widespread recognition, majorly for its unique storytelling, bringing a fresh perspective on regeneration, and influencing a generation of viewers since the 1960s. The show features an intriguing concept of the Doctor’s regeneration, which allows the character to transform into a new form with a different personality.
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who
As Ncuti Gatwa becomes the leading face in the latest season of Doctor Who, showrunner Russell T. Davies reflected on turning down one offer from Abba that could have contributed to making the franchise more iconic.
Russell T. Davies Reflects on Possible Musical Pitch for Doctor Who Universe
In an interview with GamesRadar, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies discussed being approached to expand the sci-fi show into the realm of musicals.
SUGGESTEDDoctor Who Series 14 Review: A New Doctor But the Same High-Energy Antics
He admitted that he rejected to meet with Benny Andersson and...
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who
As Ncuti Gatwa becomes the leading face in the latest season of Doctor Who, showrunner Russell T. Davies reflected on turning down one offer from Abba that could have contributed to making the franchise more iconic.
Russell T. Davies Reflects on Possible Musical Pitch for Doctor Who Universe
In an interview with GamesRadar, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies discussed being approached to expand the sci-fi show into the realm of musicals.
SUGGESTEDDoctor Who Series 14 Review: A New Doctor But the Same High-Energy Antics
He admitted that he rejected to meet with Benny Andersson and...
- 5/10/2024
- by Priya Sharma
- FandomWire
Abba fans the world over yesterday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Swedish supergroup’s Eurovision victory in 1974, and one crowd were treated to a surprise appearance by band member Bjorn Ulvaeus.
It was the group’s Eurovision triumph 50 years ago with their song Waterloo that kickstarted their phenomenal success, an event marked by Abba fans all across the world on Saturday with special events. The BBC, who hosted the event back in 1974 when it all began, gave over their BBC Two Channel to “Abba Night”, including a new documentary charting the band’s fortunes over the last five decades.
On stage in London, the cast celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Mamma Mia! musical, and then had one more treat for the audience – with the appearance of Bjorn Ulvaeus – one quarter of Abba, and one half of the band’s songwriting duo (along with Benny Andersson).
When Ulvaeus took...
It was the group’s Eurovision triumph 50 years ago with their song Waterloo that kickstarted their phenomenal success, an event marked by Abba fans all across the world on Saturday with special events. The BBC, who hosted the event back in 1974 when it all began, gave over their BBC Two Channel to “Abba Night”, including a new documentary charting the band’s fortunes over the last five decades.
On stage in London, the cast celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Mamma Mia! musical, and then had one more treat for the audience – with the appearance of Bjorn Ulvaeus – one quarter of Abba, and one half of the band’s songwriting duo (along with Benny Andersson).
When Ulvaeus took...
- 4/7/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Judy Craymer would just love it if Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig could just make herself available to complete the Mamma Mia! movie trilogy.
“Hey, Greta, if you’re free to do anymore projects…” jokes Craymer, the driving force that has kept the “Money, Money, Money” pouring into the box office for musical Mamma Mia!, featuring the songs of Swedish pop stars Abba, for a quarter of a century.
Saturday night will mark an incredible milestone for a show that has taken over $5.685 billion at the box-office worldwide in ticket sales and is responsible for a further $17 billion in supplementary expenditure from spending on hotels, restaurants, transport and merchandising globally in the 25 years since opening night at the Cameron Macintosh-owned Prince Edward Theatre on April 6, 1999.
Those figures do not include the hundreds of millions of dollars that movie offshoots Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again have amassed.
“Hey, Greta, if you’re free to do anymore projects…” jokes Craymer, the driving force that has kept the “Money, Money, Money” pouring into the box office for musical Mamma Mia!, featuring the songs of Swedish pop stars Abba, for a quarter of a century.
Saturday night will mark an incredible milestone for a show that has taken over $5.685 billion at the box-office worldwide in ticket sales and is responsible for a further $17 billion in supplementary expenditure from spending on hotels, restaurants, transport and merchandising globally in the 25 years since opening night at the Cameron Macintosh-owned Prince Edward Theatre on April 6, 1999.
Those figures do not include the hundreds of millions of dollars that movie offshoots Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again have amassed.
- 4/5/2024
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Hundreds of Cbeebies Bedtime Stories will soon be added to BBC iPlayer, and details of what’s happening are here.
The art of telling a story has been utilised for the television screen ever since the medium began. Jackanory is probably the best example, whether it was the much missed Bernard Cribbins spinning a yarn or the great Rik Mayall reading Road Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine with a feverish fervour, it is perhaps the most primal form of drama there is, and is integral to children’s development.
Bedtime Stories is a kind of modern take on Jackanory for pre-schoolers, often managing to tempt huge stars of stage, screen, music and everything inbetween to Cbeebies to read a story. The BBC is making hundreds of episodes from the past available on iPlayer too.
Some of the readers you will be able to watch include (deep breath):
Harry Styles,...
The art of telling a story has been utilised for the television screen ever since the medium began. Jackanory is probably the best example, whether it was the much missed Bernard Cribbins spinning a yarn or the great Rik Mayall reading Road Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine with a feverish fervour, it is perhaps the most primal form of drama there is, and is integral to children’s development.
Bedtime Stories is a kind of modern take on Jackanory for pre-schoolers, often managing to tempt huge stars of stage, screen, music and everything inbetween to Cbeebies to read a story. The BBC is making hundreds of episodes from the past available on iPlayer too.
Some of the readers you will be able to watch include (deep breath):
Harry Styles,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Meet the new Kiss – not the same as the old Kiss, but a version that could live forever.
Kiss closed out what was billed as the final performance of their “The End of the Road” farewell tour Saturday night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
During the encore, cofounders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer returned as digital avatars, as Stanley shouted that the faithful had made the band “Immortal.”
The Kiss avatars then performed “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.”
The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter cofounded by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the “Abba Voyage” show in London, a full concert by the Swedish band as performed by their digital avatars.
Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this...
Kiss closed out what was billed as the final performance of their “The End of the Road” farewell tour Saturday night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
During the encore, cofounders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer returned as digital avatars, as Stanley shouted that the faithful had made the band “Immortal.”
The Kiss avatars then performed “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.”
The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter cofounded by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the “Abba Voyage” show in London, a full concert by the Swedish band as performed by their digital avatars.
Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this...
- 12/3/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Patti LuPone — the Tony-winning, brassy Broadway legend with a penchant for strong opinions — let everyone know exactly how she feels about Abba and their hit “Mamma Mia!” musical in a new joint interview with Nathan Lane on Wednesdsay.
To hear her tell it on “The A24 Podcast,” LuPone has never even seen “Mamma Mia!” on stage or on film out of protest against the Swedish pop supergroup of 1970s fame.
“I’ve never seen ‘Mamma Mia!’ I’ve never seen any of the movies. Every time their music’s on, I turn it off,” LuPone said, detailing her hatred for the band. “I protest them.”
“How can you hate Abba?” Nathan Lane asked, shocked.
Turns out, it has to do with LuPone love of rock ‘n’ roll from the same era. The pop-dance stylings of members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad just never sat right with her.
To hear her tell it on “The A24 Podcast,” LuPone has never even seen “Mamma Mia!” on stage or on film out of protest against the Swedish pop supergroup of 1970s fame.
“I’ve never seen ‘Mamma Mia!’ I’ve never seen any of the movies. Every time their music’s on, I turn it off,” LuPone said, detailing her hatred for the band. “I protest them.”
“How can you hate Abba?” Nathan Lane asked, shocked.
Turns out, it has to do with LuPone love of rock ‘n’ roll from the same era. The pop-dance stylings of members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad just never sat right with her.
- 10/18/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
San Francisco, Aug 22 (Ians) Google-owned YouTube has announced that the platform saw over 1.7 billion views on videos related to AI tools so far this year.
The platform also introduced YouTube’s Music AI Incubator.
“The incubator will help inform YouTube’s approach as we work with some of music’s most innovative artists, songwriters, and producers across the industry, across a diverse range of culture, genres, and experience,” YouTube said in a blogpost on Monday.
To kick off this program, the company is working with Universal Music Group.
This includes internationally renowned and revered songwriter Anitta, producer and entrepreneur Bjorn Ulvaeus, and innovative genre-defying artist d4vd, amongst others.
This talented group will help gather insights on generative AI experiments and research that are being developed at YouTube.
The company also expressed its intention to further build on its focus of helping artists and creators make money on the platform.
The platform also introduced YouTube’s Music AI Incubator.
“The incubator will help inform YouTube’s approach as we work with some of music’s most innovative artists, songwriters, and producers across the industry, across a diverse range of culture, genres, and experience,” YouTube said in a blogpost on Monday.
To kick off this program, the company is working with Universal Music Group.
This includes internationally renowned and revered songwriter Anitta, producer and entrepreneur Bjorn Ulvaeus, and innovative genre-defying artist d4vd, amongst others.
This talented group will help gather insights on generative AI experiments and research that are being developed at YouTube.
The company also expressed its intention to further build on its focus of helping artists and creators make money on the platform.
- 8/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
YouTube thinks it can take an ethical, “artist-centric” approach to generative AI.
In partnership with Universal Music Group, it’s introducing a “Music AI Incubator,” which CEO Neal Mohan says will help it “gather insights” to “better understand how these technologies can be most valuable for artists and fans, how they can enhance creativity, and where we can seek to solve critical issues for the future.”
The incubator will bring in Umg and artists/producers on its roster, including Anitta, Björn Ulvaeus, d4vd, Don Was, Juanes, Louis Bell, Max Richter, Rodney Jerkins, Rosanne Cash, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Yo Gotti, and the estate of Frank Sinatra.
YouTube gave no specific details about what it’s working on with the incubator, but Mohan says it’s developing “specific technologies, monetization opportunities, and policies”–all related to AI.
Mohan also claims YouTube’s potential use of generative AI is guided by ethical principles.
In partnership with Universal Music Group, it’s introducing a “Music AI Incubator,” which CEO Neal Mohan says will help it “gather insights” to “better understand how these technologies can be most valuable for artists and fans, how they can enhance creativity, and where we can seek to solve critical issues for the future.”
The incubator will bring in Umg and artists/producers on its roster, including Anitta, Björn Ulvaeus, d4vd, Don Was, Juanes, Louis Bell, Max Richter, Rodney Jerkins, Rosanne Cash, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Yo Gotti, and the estate of Frank Sinatra.
YouTube gave no specific details about what it’s working on with the incubator, but Mohan says it’s developing “specific technologies, monetization opportunities, and policies”–all related to AI.
Mohan also claims YouTube’s potential use of generative AI is guided by ethical principles.
- 8/21/2023
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
As conversations around artificial intelligence continue, YouTube has published its first set of principles regarding AI music. Not only that, but the video streaming site owned by Google has also launched its own YouTube Music AI Incubator.
The three principles were shared by YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan. According to the company, these fundamental principles reflect the company’s “commitment to collaborate with the music industry alongside bold and responsible innovation in the space.” Here are the three principles in full:
Principle #1: AI is here, and we will embrace it responsibly together with our music partners. As generative AI unlocks ambitious new forms of creativity, YouTube and our partners across the music industry agree to build on our long collaborative history and responsibly embrace this rapidly advancing field. Our goal is to partner with the music industry to empower creativity in a way that enhances our joint pursuit of responsible innovation.
The three principles were shared by YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan. According to the company, these fundamental principles reflect the company’s “commitment to collaborate with the music industry alongside bold and responsible innovation in the space.” Here are the three principles in full:
Principle #1: AI is here, and we will embrace it responsibly together with our music partners. As generative AI unlocks ambitious new forms of creativity, YouTube and our partners across the music industry agree to build on our long collaborative history and responsibly embrace this rapidly advancing field. Our goal is to partner with the music industry to empower creativity in a way that enhances our joint pursuit of responsible innovation.
- 8/21/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Judy Craymer is determined to make a third 'Mamma Mia!' film.The 65-year-old producer has worked on both the original stage production and the two movies in the musical based on Abba's songs and hopes that another film can be made.Speaking to Deadline, Judy said: "It's in its earliest stages. I don't want to over-egg it, but I know there's a trilogy there."The producer revealed that her ideas for the new film involve bringing back popular characters such as Meryl Streep's Donna – who had died in the events of the 2018 film 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' – and Cher's Ruby, mother to Donna and grandmother to Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).Craymer said: "There is a story there, and I do think Meryl should come back – and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna."The producer...
- 5/2/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Exclusive: As the West End production of Mamma Mia! enters its 25th year on stage, Judy Craymer, its creator and driving force, is expanding the Mm! universe with ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream talent show. Set on an idyllic Greek island, it’s aimed at finding Mm! stars of the future. There’s definitely a desire to see Mm! back on Broadway in 2025, Craymer confirms, and she says she’s also pushing to make the dream of a third Mm! film a reality.
“It’s in its earliest stages,” she says, revealing that she has come up with a way to bring back all of the previous movie’s favorite characters. Which is no mean feat given that those parts involve stars such as Meryl Streep, who played the independent, fierce and spirited Donna Sheridan onscreen, and Cher, who played Donna’s vivacious mother Ruby in 2018’s...
“It’s in its earliest stages,” she says, revealing that she has come up with a way to bring back all of the previous movie’s favorite characters. Which is no mean feat given that those parts involve stars such as Meryl Streep, who played the independent, fierce and spirited Donna Sheridan onscreen, and Cher, who played Donna’s vivacious mother Ruby in 2018’s...
- 5/1/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Abba have paid loving tribute to their longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander, crediting his “musical brilliance” and saying he played “an integral part in the Abba story.”
The Swedish guitarist, who died on Friday at 70, can be heard playing on hits including ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Thank You For the Music’ and the epic ballad ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
Abba said in a statement Monday: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist.”
Wellander first joined the Swedish supergroup as a session musician on their eponymous 1975 album, before becoming their main guitarist on subsequent records and joining the band on tour from 1975 to 1980. Following Abba’s split, Wellander worked with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson on the album for the musical Chess, and he played on the soundtracks of hit musicals Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Besides all his in-demand session work,...
The Swedish guitarist, who died on Friday at 70, can be heard playing on hits including ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Thank You For the Music’ and the epic ballad ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
Abba said in a statement Monday: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist.”
Wellander first joined the Swedish supergroup as a session musician on their eponymous 1975 album, before becoming their main guitarist on subsequent records and joining the band on tour from 1975 to 1980. Following Abba’s split, Wellander worked with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson on the album for the musical Chess, and he played on the soundtracks of hit musicals Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Besides all his in-demand session work,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Abba’s long-time guitarist Lasse Wellander has died aged 70.
The news was announced by the Swedish musician’s family, who told Wellander’s fans that he had died on Good Friday (7 April) “surrounded by his loved ones”.
“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” their statement read, adding: “You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.
“Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.”
The musician died of cancer.
In tribute, Abba released a statement to Pa, reading: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as...
The news was announced by the Swedish musician’s family, who told Wellander’s fans that he had died on Good Friday (7 April) “surrounded by his loved ones”.
“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” their statement read, adding: “You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.
“Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.”
The musician died of cancer.
In tribute, Abba released a statement to Pa, reading: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Music
If you’re ever looking for advice on how to “send the ladies crazy,” there’s no one better to ask than a former sex symbol like Robert Plant. According to the Led Zeppelin frontman, it’s all about having the right playlist.
Robert Plant claims song with snappy rhythm is best during sex
While talking with Rolling Stone in 2005, Robert Plant was asked the classic interview question: “If you were stuck in the desert, what CD would you bring?” This, of course, led to the interviewer asking what the best “desert music to have sex to” is, and Plant’s response didn’t disappoint.
“I don’t think I could do it. I mean, I can do it and without a tablet! But perhaps a little Rachid Taha with Steve Hillage — those rhythms alone would be very interesting. Those counts in five and six could send the ladies crazy!
Robert Plant claims song with snappy rhythm is best during sex
While talking with Rolling Stone in 2005, Robert Plant was asked the classic interview question: “If you were stuck in the desert, what CD would you bring?” This, of course, led to the interviewer asking what the best “desert music to have sex to” is, and Plant’s response didn’t disappoint.
“I don’t think I could do it. I mean, I can do it and without a tablet! But perhaps a little Rachid Taha with Steve Hillage — those rhythms alone would be very interesting. Those counts in five and six could send the ladies crazy!
- 3/24/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
On Thursday morning, U2’s Bono and The Edge appeared on BBC Radio 2 and paid tribute to their longtime friends, Abba, with an orchestral cover the Swedish band’s 1975 hit “Sos.”
“I’ll tell you what, they’re just better songs,” Bono said of Abba during the broadcast on Radio 2’s Piano Room (on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer). “You can’t be empirical about everything in art, but sometimes songs are just better.”
The choice of “Sos” was well-suited for the intimate Piano Room. Switching out Abba’s sunshiney ‘70s arrangement for a slower acoustic affair, clad with strings and Bono’s signature croon, the duo’s version shows off some of the nuances of the track that can oh-so-easily get overlooked once you’re on the dance floor. “This is the great Abba… and this is a marketing gimmick from U2 called ‘Sos!’” Bono quipped before they played the song.
“I’ll tell you what, they’re just better songs,” Bono said of Abba during the broadcast on Radio 2’s Piano Room (on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer). “You can’t be empirical about everything in art, but sometimes songs are just better.”
The choice of “Sos” was well-suited for the intimate Piano Room. Switching out Abba’s sunshiney ‘70s arrangement for a slower acoustic affair, clad with strings and Bono’s signature croon, the duo’s version shows off some of the nuances of the track that can oh-so-easily get overlooked once you’re on the dance floor. “This is the great Abba… and this is a marketing gimmick from U2 called ‘Sos!’” Bono quipped before they played the song.
- 3/16/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
Abba Voyage show will soon travel “around the world”, organisers have reportedly said.
The virtual concert, which sees hologram- style “Abba-tars” of the pop band performing a full setlist in a purpose-built arena, has seen enormous demand.
The unique concert, which opened last May, has sold over a million tickets.
Following its success, Universal Music Group has reportedly said that the show will soon go on tour around the world.
“Plans are now in development to take ‘Abba Voyage’ around the world,” said Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge while on a company earnings call, reported Variety.
A representative for Abba Voyage declined to comment, but a source close to the project said that the focus was on London for the forseeable.
Abba, who formed in Sweden in 1972, are famous for multiple hits including “Dancing Queen”, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) and “Mamma Mia”.
The group is made up of Agnetha Fältskog,...
The virtual concert, which sees hologram- style “Abba-tars” of the pop band performing a full setlist in a purpose-built arena, has seen enormous demand.
The unique concert, which opened last May, has sold over a million tickets.
Following its success, Universal Music Group has reportedly said that the show will soon go on tour around the world.
“Plans are now in development to take ‘Abba Voyage’ around the world,” said Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge while on a company earnings call, reported Variety.
A representative for Abba Voyage declined to comment, but a source close to the project said that the focus was on London for the forseeable.
Abba, who formed in Sweden in 1972, are famous for multiple hits including “Dancing Queen”, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) and “Mamma Mia”.
The group is made up of Agnetha Fältskog,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Abba staged their first concert in 42 years in hologram form at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (grab tickets to upcoming shows here) last May, and now the Swedish pop legends are ready to take the show worldwide.
During a Universal Music Group earnings call on Thursday (via Variety), chairman Lucian Grainge said, “Plans are now in development to take ‘Abba Voyage’ around the world.” No further details have been revealed at this time.
For now, the only place to catch “Abba Voyage” is at the custom-built, 3,000-capacity Abba Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In order to create the production, George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic used motion-capture technology to create digital avatars (or “Abba-tars”) of how Agnetha Falkstog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad looked in 1979. The 90-minute concert spans from Abba’s classic 1970s catalog to 2021’s Voyage, their first release in 40 years.
“Abba Voyage” is currently...
During a Universal Music Group earnings call on Thursday (via Variety), chairman Lucian Grainge said, “Plans are now in development to take ‘Abba Voyage’ around the world.” No further details have been revealed at this time.
For now, the only place to catch “Abba Voyage” is at the custom-built, 3,000-capacity Abba Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In order to create the production, George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic used motion-capture technology to create digital avatars (or “Abba-tars”) of how Agnetha Falkstog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad looked in 1979. The 90-minute concert spans from Abba’s classic 1970s catalog to 2021’s Voyage, their first release in 40 years.
“Abba Voyage” is currently...
- 3/2/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
In 2022, PodX Group made acquisitions of French podcast studio Nouvelles Écoutes, British audio fiction company Goldhawk Productions and Argentinian podcast production company Posta. PodX Group is now expanding further by acquiring their first podcast studio in the Nordics, Filt. Filt is a market-leading independent podcast company based in Stockholm, Sweden, established in 2002 by Erik Roll, Roger Dackegård and Anders Elfström.
Filt is a highly qualitative production studio that specializes in storytelling. They produce a wide range of podcasts, including journalistic true crime and fiction dramas, and have received numerous awards such as Prix Italia and Guldörat. Their productions are widely listened to with a weekly reach of 1 million listeners. Filt has offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo and also produces content in Finland Swedish for Yle in Finland. Filt is the creator behind successful formats such as Stil i P1, Kropp & Själ i P1, Smittan (P3 Serie), Punani_99 i P3, Därför mördar dom,...
Filt is a highly qualitative production studio that specializes in storytelling. They produce a wide range of podcasts, including journalistic true crime and fiction dramas, and have received numerous awards such as Prix Italia and Guldörat. Their productions are widely listened to with a weekly reach of 1 million listeners. Filt has offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo and also produces content in Finland Swedish for Yle in Finland. Filt is the creator behind successful formats such as Stil i P1, Kropp & Själ i P1, Smittan (P3 Serie), Punani_99 i P3, Därför mördar dom,...
- 2/16/2023
- Podnews.net
Music group Abba isn’t weirded out by their de-aged “Abbatars” that appear during their immersive Voyage performances. They like that their artificial intelligence depicts their younger selves.
Abba | Ian West/Pa Images via Getty Images Abba announced a digital entertainment project, ‘Voyage,’ in 2016
According to the BBC, all four original members of Abba, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, reunited as early as 2016 to start work on a multimedia project.
The Eurovision winners planned a “new entertainment experience” that would be immersive and involve virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The group would appear on stage as Abbatars or A.I. versions of their younger selves.
They hoped the experience would bring their music to a new generation of fans “in a way previously unimagined,” a press release said. Then, in 2018, they announced they added new songs to the project (per the Guardian). These were the first...
Abba | Ian West/Pa Images via Getty Images Abba announced a digital entertainment project, ‘Voyage,’ in 2016
According to the BBC, all four original members of Abba, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, reunited as early as 2016 to start work on a multimedia project.
The Eurovision winners planned a “new entertainment experience” that would be immersive and involve virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The group would appear on stage as Abbatars or A.I. versions of their younger selves.
They hoped the experience would bring their music to a new generation of fans “in a way previously unimagined,” a press release said. Then, in 2018, they announced they added new songs to the project (per the Guardian). These were the first...
- 1/27/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After 40 years, Abba has returned with their newest album, Voyage, and a successful immersive performance. The music icons had a couple of starts and stops on the project but captured their original essence every step of the way.
Abba at the premiere of ‘Voyage’ | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Abba announced a new kind of digital entertainment project, ‘Voyage,’ in 2016
According to the BBC, Abba planned their Voyage project as early as 2016. They announced that all four original members, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, would return for a “new entertainment experience” that would be immersive and involve virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
The group would appear on stage as ABBAtars, or as their younger selves. In 2014, Ulvaeus told Billboard that fans “will never see us on stage again … we don’t need the money, for one thing.”
The Eurovision winners hoped the experience would bring their...
Abba at the premiere of ‘Voyage’ | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Abba announced a new kind of digital entertainment project, ‘Voyage,’ in 2016
According to the BBC, Abba planned their Voyage project as early as 2016. They announced that all four original members, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, would return for a “new entertainment experience” that would be immersive and involve virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
The group would appear on stage as ABBAtars, or as their younger selves. In 2014, Ulvaeus told Billboard that fans “will never see us on stage again … we don’t need the money, for one thing.”
The Eurovision winners hoped the experience would bring their...
- 1/26/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Click here to read the full article.
It sounds like Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again director Ol Parker might be ready to take a chance on pursuing another film in the musical franchise.
Parker, who helmed Universal Pictures’ 2018 follow-up to director Phyllida Lloyd’s 2008 hit Mamma Mia!, told Screen Rant in an interview published online Saturday that producer Judy Craymer has always intended to make a film trilogy. Craymer has credits on both films and also the Abba-centric jukebox musical of the same name, which was the basis for the first movie and has had runs on the West End and Broadway.
“Judy Craymer, the genius producer behind the musical and the first two films, always plans for it to be a trilogy,” Parker teased. “That’s all I can say. The first one made an enormous amount of money, and I think we made a fair amount too.
It sounds like Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again director Ol Parker might be ready to take a chance on pursuing another film in the musical franchise.
Parker, who helmed Universal Pictures’ 2018 follow-up to director Phyllida Lloyd’s 2008 hit Mamma Mia!, told Screen Rant in an interview published online Saturday that producer Judy Craymer has always intended to make a film trilogy. Craymer has credits on both films and also the Abba-centric jukebox musical of the same name, which was the basis for the first movie and has had runs on the West End and Broadway.
“Judy Craymer, the genius producer behind the musical and the first two films, always plans for it to be a trilogy,” Parker teased. “That’s all I can say. The first one made an enormous amount of money, and I think we made a fair amount too.
- 12/17/2022
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Darren Criss, Lena Hall, Ramin Karimloo and Solea Pfeiffer will perform a one-night-only benefit concert of the 1986 Benny Andersson-Björn Ulvaeus-Tim Rice musical Chess next month at a Broadway theater to benefit The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund).
The concert, which will be held at the the Broadhurst Theatre on on Monday, December 12 at 7:30 pm Et, was announced by the Entertainment Community Fund today. The benefit will be presented in association with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman whose award-winning Broadway credits include Ain’t Too Proud, Green Day’s American Idiot and Spring Awakening.
Criss will perform the role of “Freddie Trumper”, Hall will be “Florence Vassey”, Karimloo will portray “Anatoly Sergievsky” and Pfeiffer will be “Svetlana Sergievsky”.
Ramin Karimloo and Solea Pfeiffer (Getty Images)
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to help bring this new iteration...
The concert, which will be held at the the Broadhurst Theatre on on Monday, December 12 at 7:30 pm Et, was announced by the Entertainment Community Fund today. The benefit will be presented in association with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman whose award-winning Broadway credits include Ain’t Too Proud, Green Day’s American Idiot and Spring Awakening.
Criss will perform the role of “Freddie Trumper”, Hall will be “Florence Vassey”, Karimloo will portray “Anatoly Sergievsky” and Pfeiffer will be “Svetlana Sergievsky”.
Ramin Karimloo and Solea Pfeiffer (Getty Images)
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to help bring this new iteration...
- 11/18/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Here we go again ... again. If you love Abba and the mixture of terrible and professional singers, this news is going to make you happy. Pierce Brosnan is jumping on the "Mamma Mia!" trilogy train. While doing a press tour to promote his upcoming turn as Doctor Fate in the Warner Bros. film "Black Adam," Brosnan told "Good Morning America" (via EW) that he is on board to participate in a third "Mamma Mia!" film.
The first entry, which premiered in 2008 starred Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep, Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, and Julie Walters. The second film, 2018's "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" added Jeremy Irvine, Lily James, Andy García, and Cher. It's technically both a prequel and a sequel, set years after the events of the first film with flashbacks giving us a look at the past.
"GMA" host Lara Spencer told Brosnan that...
The first entry, which premiered in 2008 starred Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep, Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, and Julie Walters. The second film, 2018's "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" added Jeremy Irvine, Lily James, Andy García, and Cher. It's technically both a prequel and a sequel, set years after the events of the first film with flashbacks giving us a look at the past.
"GMA" host Lara Spencer told Brosnan that...
- 10/11/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Mediawan Rights has expanded its unscripted division with the appointment of former Shine France top executive Jeremy Klif, and is opening up to formats from third-party producers.
Klif has been tapped deputy director of international sales for the unscripted unit which was launched by Mediawan Rights’ managing director Valérie Vleeschhouwer, in April. Klif began his career in the U.S. at Mark Burnett Productions, and later worked as head of sales and acquisitions for Shine France upon his return to Paris. He went on to launch Borderline Media, a production and distribution banner specialized in formats, in 2017. At Mediawan Rights, Klif will work alongside Estelle Bodén, the co-founder of Sweden’s Elk Entertainment, who serves as head of distribution for the division. Like Klif, Bodén has a track record as an entrepreneur and also worked for indies and big groups such as Strix Television.
With Bodén and Klif on board,...
Klif has been tapped deputy director of international sales for the unscripted unit which was launched by Mediawan Rights’ managing director Valérie Vleeschhouwer, in April. Klif began his career in the U.S. at Mark Burnett Productions, and later worked as head of sales and acquisitions for Shine France upon his return to Paris. He went on to launch Borderline Media, a production and distribution banner specialized in formats, in 2017. At Mediawan Rights, Klif will work alongside Estelle Bodén, the co-founder of Sweden’s Elk Entertainment, who serves as head of distribution for the division. Like Klif, Bodén has a track record as an entrepreneur and also worked for indies and big groups such as Strix Television.
With Bodén and Klif on board,...
- 10/10/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Los Angeles, Sep 29 (Ians) The family of Avicii, the late, multi-platinum-selling Swedish DJ, has sold 75 per cent of his master recordings and publishing to Pophouse Entertainment, the Stockholm-based company co-founded by Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus.
The family and estate will maintain ownership of the remaining 25 per cent.
Terms of the deal, which is estimated to be for nine figures, were not disclosed.
According to the announcement, a joint venture has been created between the family and estate of Avicii and Pophouse “to safeguard Avicii’s indelible legacy through future global endeavours”, such as the interactive tribute museum in Stockholm, “Avicii Experience”, that Pophouse and the Bergling family together opened in February.
Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, commented: “Pophouse has presented a concrete concept and proposal for the long-term care and development of Tim’s musical heritage.
“Through this deal, we are also securing the Tim Bergling Foundation’s long-term finances,...
The family and estate will maintain ownership of the remaining 25 per cent.
Terms of the deal, which is estimated to be for nine figures, were not disclosed.
According to the announcement, a joint venture has been created between the family and estate of Avicii and Pophouse “to safeguard Avicii’s indelible legacy through future global endeavours”, such as the interactive tribute museum in Stockholm, “Avicii Experience”, that Pophouse and the Bergling family together opened in February.
Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, commented: “Pophouse has presented a concrete concept and proposal for the long-term care and development of Tim’s musical heritage.
“Through this deal, we are also securing the Tim Bergling Foundation’s long-term finances,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Pophouse Entertainment now owns 75 percent of Avicii’s recording and publishing rights. On Wednesday, the music investment firm co-founded by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus announced that it had acquired most of the catalog’s publishing rights and masters from the estate of the late DJ.
It’s unclear what the terms of the deal are, but Variety estimates it to be nine figures.
“Pophouse has presented a concrete concept and proposal for the long-term care and development of Tim’s musical heritage,” said Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, in a statement.
It’s unclear what the terms of the deal are, but Variety estimates it to be nine figures.
“Pophouse has presented a concrete concept and proposal for the long-term care and development of Tim’s musical heritage,” said Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, in a statement.
- 9/28/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Baillie Walsh (Being James Bond:The Daniel Craig Story) is the man who helped put pop stars Abba back in the concert arena for the first time in 42 years.
The British-born filmmaker behind a string of James Bond videos, music videos and feature film (Flashbacks of A Fool) clarifies that Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Reuss aren’t actually on stage live performing in Abba Voyage at the purpose-built, 3,000 seat Abba Arena located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.
“They’re ABBAtars,” he says.
The capacity crowd at the Abba Theatre didn’t care. They were lost in their own Abba state of mind, a few climbing onto seats to gyrate along to the ABBAtars performing Mamma Mia! and Dancing Queen on stage.
The show is a creative phenomenon, one that involves producers Ludwig Andersson and Svana Gisla; director Walsh, movement director and...
The British-born filmmaker behind a string of James Bond videos, music videos and feature film (Flashbacks of A Fool) clarifies that Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Reuss aren’t actually on stage live performing in Abba Voyage at the purpose-built, 3,000 seat Abba Arena located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.
“They’re ABBAtars,” he says.
The capacity crowd at the Abba Theatre didn’t care. They were lost in their own Abba state of mind, a few climbing onto seats to gyrate along to the ABBAtars performing Mamma Mia! and Dancing Queen on stage.
The show is a creative phenomenon, one that involves producers Ludwig Andersson and Svana Gisla; director Walsh, movement director and...
- 6/8/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
After they broke up four decades ago, Abba famously refused all kinds of money for reunion Abba-tars and performances. But a few years ago, British entrepreneur Simon Fuller pitched an idea that piqued the Swedish superstars’ interest. “We got sort of turned on by the thought that we could actually be onstage without us being there,” Abba singer-songwriter Benny Andersson says over Zoom.
The band, along with Fuller and their producers Ludvig Andersson (Benny Andersson’s son) and Svana Gisla (music-video producer for the likes of Radiohead and Beyoncé), initially...
The band, along with Fuller and their producers Ludvig Andersson (Benny Andersson’s son) and Svana Gisla (music-video producer for the likes of Radiohead and Beyoncé), initially...
- 5/15/2022
- by Brittany Spanos
- Rollingstone.com
The 2022 Grammy Awards broadcast wrapped up with an upset victory of sorts, with Jon Batiste beating out the likes of Taylor Swift and Kanye west to take home Album of the Year for his excellent “We Are.”
That was his fifth win of the night, following four wins during the “Premiere Ceremony,” where all of the awards not deemed cool enough for television were handed out, hosted by the always wonderful Levar Burton.
Batiste also accomplished a rather ignominious milestone for the Grammy Awards themselves: He’s the first Black artist to win Album of the Year since Herbie Hancock back in 2008. You read that right: It’s literally been 14 years and 3 presidents since the Academy recognized the work of Black artists with this honor. And in case you’re wondering, the only nonwhite artist to win Best Album during that time was Bruno Mars in 2018.
Speaking of Mars, Batiste...
That was his fifth win of the night, following four wins during the “Premiere Ceremony,” where all of the awards not deemed cool enough for television were handed out, hosted by the always wonderful Levar Burton.
Batiste also accomplished a rather ignominious milestone for the Grammy Awards themselves: He’s the first Black artist to win Album of the Year since Herbie Hancock back in 2008. You read that right: It’s literally been 14 years and 3 presidents since the Academy recognized the work of Black artists with this honor. And in case you’re wondering, the only nonwhite artist to win Best Album during that time was Bruno Mars in 2018.
Speaking of Mars, Batiste...
- 4/4/2022
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Trafalgar, Warner Bros. To Release Remastered ‘Abba: The Movie’ Concert Film In May For Group’s 50th
Trafalgar Releasing and Warner Bros. will present a digitally remastered Abba: The Movie for two nights in May to celebrate the Swedish pop sensation’s 50th anniversary.
The film was shot by director Lasse Hallström during the group’s hugely successful 1977 Australian tour and first released that year. Abba: The Movie – Fan Event will take attendees on a flashback journey to the 1970s when disco reigned supreme, and Abba were international pop royalty,” the announcement said. The screenings will run on May 12 and 14 at 450 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
The film stars the members of Abba, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Fältskog and is a rare look at the group during the height of their popularity including backstage footage as well as full-length performances of some of Abba’s greatest hits including “Dancing Queen” and “Name Of The Game”.
The movie’s subplot is a...
The film was shot by director Lasse Hallström during the group’s hugely successful 1977 Australian tour and first released that year. Abba: The Movie – Fan Event will take attendees on a flashback journey to the 1970s when disco reigned supreme, and Abba were international pop royalty,” the announcement said. The screenings will run on May 12 and 14 at 450 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
The film stars the members of Abba, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Fältskog and is a rare look at the group during the height of their popularity including backstage footage as well as full-length performances of some of Abba’s greatest hits including “Dancing Queen” and “Name Of The Game”.
The movie’s subplot is a...
- 3/31/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
It finally happened: Abba announced they’re reuniting for the first time in 40 years, with a new album and a digital concert on the way. If the pair of singles they’ve released prove anything, it’s that they’ve been bottling up disco-pop lightning for years. They picked the perfect time, too: We could all use some of that glittery Swedish energy to get us through the darkness right now.
In honor of the group returning, let’s revisit their breakthrough at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, where they took home first place for “Waterloo.
In honor of the group returning, let’s revisit their breakthrough at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, where they took home first place for “Waterloo.
- 9/2/2021
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
Decades after their split and years after teasing new music, hit-making Swedish music group Abba is finally reuniting and giving their fans an album and a tour.
Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog, better known as Abba, have reconciled to release a 10-track album, the group announced in a statement Thursday. Voyage, which marks the quartet’s first studio album in almost 40 years, will be released on Nov. 5 under Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records label.
The band will perform the songs at their virtual concerts, which kick off next year, via digital avatars, called “Abba-tars,” alongside ...
Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog, better known as Abba, have reconciled to release a 10-track album, the group announced in a statement Thursday. Voyage, which marks the quartet’s first studio album in almost 40 years, will be released on Nov. 5 under Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records label.
The band will perform the songs at their virtual concerts, which kick off next year, via digital avatars, called “Abba-tars,” alongside ...
Decades after their split and years after teasing new music, hit-making Swedish music group Abba is finally reuniting and giving their fans an album and a tour.
Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog, better known as Abba, have reconciled to release a 10-track album, the group announced in a statement Thursday. Voyage, which marks the quartet’s first studio album in almost 40 years, will be released on Nov. 5 under Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records label.
The band will perform the songs at their virtual concerts, which kick off next year, via digital avatars, called “Abba-tars,” alongside ...
Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog, better known as Abba, have reconciled to release a 10-track album, the group announced in a statement Thursday. Voyage, which marks the quartet’s first studio album in almost 40 years, will be released on Nov. 5 under Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records label.
The band will perform the songs at their virtual concerts, which kick off next year, via digital avatars, called “Abba-tars,” alongside ...
Following a 39 year hiatus, Swedish pop group Abba finally announces new music and a virtual reality tour. Consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, the group rose to popularity by winning the 1974 Eurovision with their song “Waterloo.” The group rose to international stardom with several hit singles including “Mamma […]
The post Abba Comeback After Literal Decades appeared first on uInterview.
The post Abba Comeback After Literal Decades appeared first on uInterview.
- 9/2/2021
- by XY Zhou
- Uinterview
It’s official: this is the summer of Abba. The blockbuster Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again brought the spectacle of Cher belting “Fernando.” That probably sent you back to the original Mamma Mia — yes, even the scene where Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan duet on “Sos.” Yet that somehow that just leaves you hungry for more. The Swedish pop savants ruled 1970s radio, invaders coming from the land of the ice and snow to become the top-selling act of their time. Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog...
- 9/2/2021
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
Björn Ulvaeus has written more than 150 hit songs and shows, co-founded one of the most commercially successful acts the music business has ever seen, and been recognized as one of the greatest songwriters in history — but one role the Swedish hitmaker never expected to be in was that of an industry spokesman. In the earlier days of his career, he was “completely uninterested” in topics like royalties, copyright, and rights management, Ulvaeus says.
Today, Ulvaeus is the incoming president of global rights group Cisac — fully, the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Auteurs et Compositeurs,...
Today, Ulvaeus is the incoming president of global rights group Cisac — fully, the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Auteurs et Compositeurs,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Amy X. Wang
- Rollingstone.com
Unicef USA will host their first ever streaming event on Saturday, May 9th at 8pm Et. “Unicef Won’t Stop” will highlight Unicef’s Covid-19 response, frontline workers and experts and the children Unicef serves.
Unicef Won't Stop Virtual Event
The hour long special will be free to all and feature musical performances and celebrity appearances. The broadcast will air on www.unicefwontstop.org and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/unicefusa.
Cher will debut an exclusive performance of her new single, a Spanish language version of Abba’s “Chiquitita”. Proceeds from the song “Chiquitita” have benefited Unicef’s work since the 1979 Music for Unicef Concert.
“I am so proud to premiere this new version during the broadcast of Unicef Won’t Stop,” said Cher. “I’ve long admired Unicef, especially for their work with young women since I was a little girl. Now, more than ever, it’s critical...
Unicef Won't Stop Virtual Event
The hour long special will be free to all and feature musical performances and celebrity appearances. The broadcast will air on www.unicefwontstop.org and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/unicefusa.
Cher will debut an exclusive performance of her new single, a Spanish language version of Abba’s “Chiquitita”. Proceeds from the song “Chiquitita” have benefited Unicef’s work since the 1979 Music for Unicef Concert.
“I am so proud to premiere this new version during the broadcast of Unicef Won’t Stop,” said Cher. “I’ve long admired Unicef, especially for their work with young women since I was a little girl. Now, more than ever, it’s critical...
- 5/7/2020
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: Swedish musical comedy A Piece Of My Heart, which is set for a wide domestic release in its home territory via Nordisk Film on Christmas Day this year, is getting the international treatment with an English dub arranged by Abba band member Björn Ulvaeus.
Berlin-based sales outfit Picture Tree International is taking the film to Afm having initially picked it up ahead of last year’s market in La, and will be hosting two private screenings of the English version.
It stars Malin Akerman, whose credits include Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, Rampage alongside Dwayne Johnson and Showtime series Billions, and Christian Hillborg of Fleabag and The Last Kingdom fame, in a story based on the music by legendary Swedish artist Tomas Ledin.
Ledin composed the original score and Swedish lyrics. Ulvaeus has re-arranged them into English with altered lyrics, which were re-recorded by the same cast.
With the international...
Berlin-based sales outfit Picture Tree International is taking the film to Afm having initially picked it up ahead of last year’s market in La, and will be hosting two private screenings of the English version.
It stars Malin Akerman, whose credits include Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, Rampage alongside Dwayne Johnson and Showtime series Billions, and Christian Hillborg of Fleabag and The Last Kingdom fame, in a story based on the music by legendary Swedish artist Tomas Ledin.
Ledin composed the original score and Swedish lyrics. Ulvaeus has re-arranged them into English with altered lyrics, which were re-recorded by the same cast.
With the international...
- 10/25/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Everybody loves Abba — and that includes every race, gender, religion and every kind of person under the sun. That said, it’s no wonder that Mamma Mia!, a Broadway show that turned into Universal movie musical and a sequel that garnered box office success and acclaim among the masses. As the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color producing Asian American artistic work., the Los Angeles-based theater group East West Players (Ewp) saw an opportunity to not only put on a production of the popular jukebox musical for their 53rd anniversary season but to switch things up with a majority Asian cast.
In a time when Hollywood sees a craving and demand for inclusive casting, East West Players answered the call to action by doing something that many would be considered bold: cast a musical that traditionally stars white actors with non-white actors. In other words, East West Players Hamilton‘d Mamma Mia!
In a time when Hollywood sees a craving and demand for inclusive casting, East West Players answered the call to action by doing something that many would be considered bold: cast a musical that traditionally stars white actors with non-white actors. In other words, East West Players Hamilton‘d Mamma Mia!
- 5/28/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Lily James has some pretty big shoes to fill in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. For the upcoming Mamma Mia! sequel, the British actress will be playing a younger version of Meryl Streep's beloved character Donna. Aside from interacting with younger versions of Sam, Harry, and Bill in the film, she'll also be teaming up with the iconic girl band Donna and the Dynamos for a few fun-filled performances. After hearing her moving performance of "Mamma Mia" in the official trailer, you're probably wondering, is Lily James really singing in the movie?
Well, the short answer is yes. In fact, James got Streep's seal of approval for her incredible voice. "I had no idea Lily James had these singing chops," Streep said in a featurette for the sequel. "She shakes the rafters. She's amazing." Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard James's lovely voice before. In...
Well, the short answer is yes. In fact, James got Streep's seal of approval for her incredible voice. "I had no idea Lily James had these singing chops," Streep said in a featurette for the sequel. "She shakes the rafters. She's amazing." Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard James's lovely voice before. In...
- 7/29/2018
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
In the full-length trailer for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, we meet Sophie's grandmother, who's portrayed by none other than - takes a deep breath - Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy winner Cher. The pop songstress is absolutely radiant, flaunting sleek platinum hair and a wonderfully sassy attitude. If you were wondering whether or not Cher would be singing in an Abba musical comedy, the answer is a definite and unequivocal yes.
Since the story focuses mostly on the exploits of Donna's youth, we won't hear Cher singing too much. But when she does, it's epic. You'll especially need to brace yourself for her take on "Fernando." In one of the movie's TV spots, we see and hear Cher put every fiber of her being into the Abba ballad. Her powerful lower register brings a sense of drama and desperation to the feathery, tragic original that'll make your heart explode.
Since the story focuses mostly on the exploits of Donna's youth, we won't hear Cher singing too much. But when she does, it's epic. You'll especially need to brace yourself for her take on "Fernando." In one of the movie's TV spots, we see and hear Cher put every fiber of her being into the Abba ballad. Her powerful lower register brings a sense of drama and desperation to the feathery, tragic original that'll make your heart explode.
- 7/28/2018
- by Stacey Nguyen
- Popsugar.com
If you're a diehard Abba fan, you won't be disappointed when you go see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Not only is the soundtrack filled with iconic numbers like "Dancing Queen" and "Super Trouper," but the film features two special cameos from members of the 1970s band. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, who also served as executive producers for the sequel, make appearances during "When I Kissed the Teacher" and "Waterloo," respectively.
While Andersson spent most of his time on set playing the piano in the background, Ulvaeus was on camera for most of his scene as he played a professor at Oxford University. Both experiences were entirely different, and director Ol Parker told Entertainment Weekly the two were "enormously generous and supportive" throughout filming. Before you go see the sequel in theaters, here's where you should look out for Ulvaeus and Andersson's cameos!
Related: See the Original Mamma Mia!
While Andersson spent most of his time on set playing the piano in the background, Ulvaeus was on camera for most of his scene as he played a professor at Oxford University. Both experiences were entirely different, and director Ol Parker told Entertainment Weekly the two were "enormously generous and supportive" throughout filming. Before you go see the sequel in theaters, here's where you should look out for Ulvaeus and Andersson's cameos!
Related: See the Original Mamma Mia!
- 7/28/2018
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
The Us subscription-based cinema tickets had to get an emergency loan of $5m just to continue offering the service
The MoviePass app, which offers a subscription-based movie ticket service, went down on Thursday because the company ran out of money to pay partner cinemas. The company had to request an emergency $5m loan just to reinstate the service.
Related: Björn Ulvaeus: 'Abba was such a European idea'...
The MoviePass app, which offers a subscription-based movie ticket service, went down on Thursday because the company ran out of money to pay partner cinemas. The company had to request an emergency $5m loan just to reinstate the service.
Related: Björn Ulvaeus: 'Abba was such a European idea'...
- 7/28/2018
- by Jeffrey Delfin
- The Guardian - Film News
Songwriter, 73, talks Mamma Mia! and AI, but becomes most animated on Brexit
More than four decades after they burst to prominence in the 1974 Eurovision song contest, Abba are once again climbing the charts, while the film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is riding high having taken more than £9m in its first week at UK box offices.
No one is more surprised about the Swedish group’s success – about 400m records have been sold since that Eurovision moment – than Björn Ulvaeus, one of Abba’s two songwriting Bs.
More than four decades after they burst to prominence in the 1974 Eurovision song contest, Abba are once again climbing the charts, while the film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is riding high having taken more than £9m in its first week at UK box offices.
No one is more surprised about the Swedish group’s success – about 400m records have been sold since that Eurovision moment – than Björn Ulvaeus, one of Abba’s two songwriting Bs.
- 7/27/2018
- by Anne McElvoy
- The Guardian - Film News
Words to Abba’s When I Kissed the Teacher were rewritten for the latest film release – but it’s not the first time a musical has been adapted for modern tastes
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is being embraced this summer as the perfect film to warm the cockles of a news-weary audience. From the Greek sunshine to the nostalgic Abba soundtrack, and Cher’s camp swagger, everything about the film has been engineered to make the audience feel cosy.
But could the Abba tracks themselves have been tweaked to put us more at ease? The lyrics to Lily James and Celia Imrie’s ritzy rendition of When I Kissed the Teacher (recently described as “a pop homage to low level sexual harassment”) were changed for the film – prompting fears that even Abba have to be “woke-ified” for modern consumption. The gender of the teacher who kisses the student...
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is being embraced this summer as the perfect film to warm the cockles of a news-weary audience. From the Greek sunshine to the nostalgic Abba soundtrack, and Cher’s camp swagger, everything about the film has been engineered to make the audience feel cosy.
But could the Abba tracks themselves have been tweaked to put us more at ease? The lyrics to Lily James and Celia Imrie’s ritzy rendition of When I Kissed the Teacher (recently described as “a pop homage to low level sexual harassment”) were changed for the film – prompting fears that even Abba have to be “woke-ified” for modern consumption. The gender of the teacher who kisses the student...
- 7/23/2018
- by Pamela Hutchinson
- The Guardian - Film News
Before it was a globally successful movie franchise, “Mamma Mia!” was just one woman’s passion project. British theater impresario Judy Craymer first imagined “Mamma Mia!” in the ’80s, eventually spending years trying to persuade former Abba members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to let her make something out of their deep songbook. Her efforts finally yielded the eighth longest-running Broadway show in history, a 2008 movie that over half a billion dollars worldwide, and now a sequel — “Mamma Mia: Here We Again” — poised to keep the franchise alive.
“I definitely never had a business plan,” Craymer said, reflecting on the 20 years of progress. “I’ve always taken it one day at a time.” The challenge started anew after the first “Mamma Mia!” movie took off, and talk about turning the film into a franchise kicked up. As early as the fall of 2008, just months after the first film’s release,...
“I definitely never had a business plan,” Craymer said, reflecting on the 20 years of progress. “I’ve always taken it one day at a time.” The challenge started anew after the first “Mamma Mia!” movie took off, and talk about turning the film into a franchise kicked up. As early as the fall of 2008, just months after the first film’s release,...
- 7/23/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
In the ’70s, you always tended to hear two things about Abba: that they were most stratospherically successful pop group since the Beatles (which was true); and that musically, they were a shiny bouncy joke — the quintessence of bubble-gum triviality, four smiling Swedish troubadours in space-age polyester disco suits singing happy jingles of ear candy. Not everyone felt that way, of course; the people who bought all those Abba records clearly dug them. Yet it’s no exaggeration to say that Abba, in their heyday, were reviled by the mainstream press, and that if you tried to make a case for taking them seriously you’d probably be laughed out of the room.
With Abba, it went that way for a long time, though to me that’s quite a mind-boggling statement. For whenever I think of Abba, the following words tend to spring to mind: pure, pop, luscious,...
With Abba, it went that way for a long time, though to me that’s quite a mind-boggling statement. For whenever I think of Abba, the following words tend to spring to mind: pure, pop, luscious,...
- 7/22/2018
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The cynics are defeated; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again has won the war. On track for a near-$40m opening weekend, critics couldn’t escape if they wanted to, and audiences have promised to love Abba jukebox musicals forevermore.
It’s another remarkable achievement for Littlestar chief Judy Craymer, who produced both films in the expanding Mamma Mia! Cinematic Universe (with Gary Goetzman) and has been the architect of bringing Abba’s music to the stage and screen for more than 20 years. She had spent a decade convincing Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to trust her with the rights to Abba’s songs before Mamma Mia! debuted on the London stage in 1999. When I went to see the show on stage earlier this month, it was clear that interest hasn’t abated in the 19 years that have followed.
Still, mounting a sequel to the 2008 feature film couldn’t have been easy.
It’s another remarkable achievement for Littlestar chief Judy Craymer, who produced both films in the expanding Mamma Mia! Cinematic Universe (with Gary Goetzman) and has been the architect of bringing Abba’s music to the stage and screen for more than 20 years. She had spent a decade convincing Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to trust her with the rights to Abba’s songs before Mamma Mia! debuted on the London stage in 1999. When I went to see the show on stage earlier this month, it was clear that interest hasn’t abated in the 19 years that have followed.
Still, mounting a sequel to the 2008 feature film couldn’t have been easy.
- 7/22/2018
- by Joe Utichi
- Deadline Film + TV
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