New shot for spectacular ABBA hologram show to be hosted in Melbourne

Victorian leaders are making a last-ditch play to bring ABBA’s critically acclaimed 3D virtual concert, ABBA Voyage, to Melbourne after plans “collapsed and died”.

Victorian leaders are making a last-ditch play to host ABBA’s spectacular 3D virtual concert, ABBA Voyage, in Melbourne.

Insiders say stakeholders, including Visit Victoria, concert promoters TEG Dainty, and ABBA Voyage’s London-based team, have returned to the negotiations table to try to reach a deal on the critically acclaimed hologram show.

The same insiders say talks about bringing ABBA Voyage to Melbourne “collapsed and died” a few weeks ago, but added: “There is a very slim chance to get things back on track”.

Sources said the sticking points were money and, to a lesser extent, location.

Promoters have reportedly asked the Victorian government to provide up to a third of the estimated $100m cost to host it in Melbourne.

ABBA superstars Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Picture: Getty Images

The production would also need a purpose-built 3000-seat venue to house the hi-tech show.

Flemington Racecourse, which hosts major outdoor concerts, music festivals and big-top circus events, has been mooted as a favoured location.

But insiders say the new round of talks is considering “another option ... closer to the city.”

ABBA Voyage opened in London in May, 2022, and, according to box office figures, sold more than 1.5 million tickets in its first 15 months.

ABBA Voyage is a hologram show.

The British production, staged in East London, reportedly turns over $3m a week.

Michael Bolingbroke, CEO and executive producer of ABBA Voyage, visited Melbourne earlier this year to meet with TEG Dainty, Visit Victoria and state governmant officials.

If Melbourne locks in ABBA Voyage, it would be a massive coup. The Victorian capital would be the first city in the world, outside London, to stage the Swedish supergroup spectacular.

The virtual show has garnered rave reviews. Picture: Johan Persson

Victoria’s Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said he could not comment on updates regarding ABBA Voyage.

“I can’t tell you who we’re speaking to, but we’re speaking to the most important people … to put the best calendar of events together,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“The Premier and I will have some announcements about a bunch of stuff in about six weeks. But I can’t say anything.”

The concert features digital avatars of ABBA superstars Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, depicting the group as they appeared in 1979.

ABBA re-recorded their hits for the show.

The avatars, created by Industrial Light and Magic, the company behind Star Wars special effects, are accompanied by a 10-piece live band.