One of the musicians behind ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ live concert experience has revealed the classic songs rehearsed by the group’s live band during auditions.
The band announced of their ninth album ‘Voyage’, featuring the singles I Still Have Faith In You and Don’t Shut Me Down, and accompanying live concert experience, set to debut in London in 2022, earlier this month.
While full details of the show, which features digital ‘ABBAtars’ of the group, remain under wraps, Klaxons star James Righton, who helped pull the musicians together for the spectacle, has teased details of the early preparations.
He tells The Sun: “I contacted musicians I knew and ones I thought would be up to the task of being ABBA’s live band. I had to find technical musicians who could play with groove, feel and personality.
“We held live auditions in London with Benny and Bjorn and after choosing the final members we ran through ABBA hits Voulez Vous, Knowing Me Knowing You, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and Eagle.
“It was an incredibly moving experience watching these songs come alive and seeing Benny and Bjorn smile and play along to songs for the first time in more than 40 years.
“You’ll be hard pushed to find a better live band.”
Among the musicians playing in the group is electro-pop star Little Boots, who will play keyboards/synthesizer and provide backing vocals.
“It has already been a dream to spend time in the studio with my musical heroes,” beamed the star, who will release Silver Balloons as the lead single from her fourth studio album later this month.
“I am beyond excited for this journey to continue and to have the privilege of performing these songs with a group of the most incredible musicians I have ever played with.
ABBA thrilled fans worldwide by announcing their new 10-track album ‘Voyage’, along with the live concert experience due to open in London in spring 2022.
Days after the LP went up for pre-order, it was confirmed the record had surpassed 80,000 sales in the UK, breaking Universal Music UK’s pre-order record previously held by Take That.
‘Voyage’, due November 5, is available to pre-order now on CD, vinyl and cassette.