ABBA are having a bit of a thing this year. 50 years after their massive debut across the airwaves and stages around the world, the Swedish pop quartet are releasing new music, performing live shows in London, UK, having global theatrical screenings of their 1970s concert film, and have a slew of collector edition music compilations. So ya, 2022 is all about ABBA and that’s it!

ABBA fans across the US and Canada are set to have the time of their lives when the digitally remastered “ABBA: The Movie” dances back into movie theaters on May 12 and 14, 2022 for a special two-day screening. Celebrating 50 years since the Swedish pop sensation was formed and 45 years since the film’s original release, “ABBA: The Movie – Fan Event” will take place in over 400 theatres in which attendees can watch the new digitally remastered version, and flashback to the 1970s when disco reigned supreme, and ABBA were international pop royalty.

The film stars the members of ABBA, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Fältskog, and was captured by diector Lasse Hallström (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Chocolat,” “Dear John”) during the group’s mega-successful 1977 Australian tour. The now cult-classic music film provides a rare look at the hugely popular group during the height of their popularity, and includes backstage footage as well as full-length performances of some of ABBA’s greatest hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Tiger,” “Name Of The Game,” and “Eagle.”

The movie’s subplot is a mocumentary-style story of a country radio disc-jockey who attempts to land an interview with the band. As deadlines loom, it is a slapstick mix of happenstance and error by the young DJ who is tasked with getting the coveted interview while ABBA’s dedicated bodyguard does everything he can to stop it from happening. 

Presented by Trafalgar Releasing and Warner Bros., tickets for “ABBA: The Movie – Fan Event”are available here. 

When Voyage, the first new ABBA album in 40 years, and the accompanying shows in London were announced in September 2021, the global headlines it garnered underlined the phenomenal popularity of ABBA, four decades after they pressed the pause button on their career.We’d all thought that the perfect arc of eight album releases from the sunshine of 1973’s Ring Ring to the chill of 1981’s The Visitors represented the complete ABBA story. However, one of pop’s most electrifying groups still had surprises in store and their brand new album, Voyage, showed all the ABBA hallmarks were still very much intact. Voyage topped the charts in 18 countries world-wide and became the group’s highest ever placing in the US at No 2.Now, a brand-new 10-LP Box Set, pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, and 10-CD Box Set, offers the opportunity to enjoy Voyage alongside the ‘golden eight’ (Ring Ring, Waterloo, ABBA, Arrival, The Album, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper and The Visitors), as well as ABBA Tracks, which features non-album singles such as “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight),” “Fernando” and other cherished b-sides. With the addition of a 40-page booklet in the 10 CD Box Set featuring album information and classic ABBA photographs from throughout their career, The ABBA Album Box Set is the ultimate collection for an ABBA fan, and an incredible souvenir of the group’s astonishing return. Pre-Order here

If that wasn’t enough, there’s a special Studio Album Picture Discs set, that’s comprised of all of ABBA’s prized studio albums on a special format (Ring Ring, Waterloo, ABBA, Arrival, The Album, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper and The Visitors). Strictly limited edition, the collection is available as a discounted 8 LP bundle, and 9 LP bundle (inc. Voyage) for a limited time only. The albums are all released on June 10, 2022. Pre-Order here

To celebrate all things ABBA, a new series of 20 lyric videos was recently launched beginning with “Chiquitita”  The series will include all tracks on ABBA Gold, plus “Happy New Year,” and will be released over the next 12 months. The second release, “Waterloo,” came out on April 6th, coinciding with the 48th anniversary of ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest with that ever-glorious track. Watch for further releases on ABBA’s official YouTube channel.

Finally, the countdown is well underway as the historic 50th anniversary concerts begin at ABBA Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London opening on May 27, 2022. Click here for more information.

#TeamABBA #ABBAforever

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.