MASTERS OF THE SCENE - Abba Tribute Groups

 

 Keeping an eye on the ABBA Tribute scene,  with sporadic updates on the latest and greatest from Rob

15th July 2023 - ABBA REUNION - Trentham Gardens, Stoke

Did torrential rain stop play?  No it didn't. Tamworth based ABBA Reunion played an outdoor gig to a large and enthusiastic crowd during some really awful weather.  But the crowd were hot and hungry for their ABBA fix, and were off and dancing even as the weather pelted down during the opening number 'Voulez-Vous' with the girls dressed in the Polar Iceberg costumes from the 1979 tour. Curiously and mysteriously billed  ('Featuring the original Frida from the West End!') in a two set concert,  ABBA Reunion ripped through the ABBA Gold catalogue with some style and vocal power.  The girls who portrayed Frida (Vicki Holland-Bowyer) and Agnetha had strong voices and harmonised well, creating that ABBA sound magic.  It was a set list made for the party crowds and avoided any deeper cuts,  but what they did perform was well received by the crowd.  The lighting and band themselves (the four ABBA's are augmented by bass guitar and drums) were a first rate set up.  The finale saw the ABBA's in replicas of the 1974 Eurovision costumes as 'Waterloo' sent the crowds home in a frenzy of nostalgia and karaoke singalong.  Among the high end of ABBA tribute groups,  Abba Reunion Tribute Group are well worth checking out. Tour dates HERE. 

Glitter Rating:  8/10

 

4th August 2023 - ABBA REVIVAL - Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

I made my  first visit to to Shrewsbury's delightful Buttermarket venue, to witness the multi award winning ABBA Revival tribute group boasting winning the Agents Association National Tribute awards no less than four times!  It was a paired down offering,  just the four adding contributions to backing tracks.  Its a shame no names are published on their website so I know who I am writing about so I will again have to call them by their characters.  'Bjorn' was pretty much there to make up the numbers.  Great guitar skills but no singing or indeed any interaction with the audience.  'Benny' was obviously a talented keyboardist,  as can be witnessed by his keyboard work on numbers like 'Chiquitita' or 'Thank You For The Music.'  ABBA obsessives would though have had a heart attack seeing Benny take lead vocals on 'Does Your Mother Know'...   Of the girls it was 'Agnetha' who provided the power vocals for the night,  her take on 'The Winner Takes It All' was strong and emotional and was a highlight of the the whole show.  Her energy and natural smile were a pivot of the evening.  'Frida' was strangely muted, and at times seemed slightly bored,  but possessed a pleasant voice which made for joyous harmonies on those infernally catchy choruses. The costumes were good approximations of ABBA's 1970s wear,  and gave the evening that authentic nostalgic vibe.  Set list wise,  there were no surprises,  standard 'best of ABBA' stuff.  No surprise album tracks (save perhaps for 'Ring Ring') to delight the hardcore. But certainly the party crowd at the Buttermarket lapped it all up and everyone went home happy.  Masters of the scene?  Not quite,  but certainly worth a punt if they are in your area.

Glitter rating:  7/10

Thanks to Meron Roberts for the photos!

ABBA Revival set list:

Set 1 : Waterloo / Mamma Mia / S.O.S. / Super Trouper / Chiquitita / Gimme Gimme Gimme / Summer Night City / The Name Of The Game / The Winner Takes It All / Honey Honey

Set 2:  Money Money Money / Voulez-Vous / Lay All Your Love On Me / Fernando / Take A Chance On Me / Does Your Mother Know / Ring Ring / Thank You For The Music / Dancing Queen

Encores:  Mamma Mia / Waterloo

TO BE CONTINUED....