‘Bjorn Again’ group ready to sing and dance along with Pinoy audience

MANILA, Philippines — What are your favorite tunes from the legendary Swedish group ABBA?

My Top 4 are Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia. But all their songs and hits have definitely made a lasting impression on those who discovered and grew up listening to its music. It’s timeless and relatable. ABBA music appeals across various generations of music enthusiasts.

The Philippine STAR had a recent virtual chat with the member-artists as Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Frida, behind “Bjorn Again — The ABBA Forever Tribute Show” from Melbourne, Australia. They will bring the well-loved songs of ABBA such as Chiquitita Fernando, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, SOS and Waterloo to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on Aug. 7 and The Theatre at Solaire, Aug. 8 and 9.

Their show, “Bjorn Again,” promises a night of walking down memory lane and celebrating ABBA’s music career, with dancing and singing.

Asked what the experience is like being in an ABBA tribute band, a member said, “It’s just the greatest, it’s so much fun. We get to go all over the world and play so many big shows and play such fantastic music, you know, it’s quite a joy.”

Another one added, “We get to wear such amazing costumes. We get to dress up. We get to really touch people’s lives. You know, we sing about heartbreak, about money, love, money… and everyone loves our show.”

Proof to it is the enjoyable time the audience will have during the show and after as concert-goers talk about fun and favorite segments.

For other member-artists of “Bjorn Again,” they said they love “to hear everyone singing along because everybody knows the words” and “to see the big age spread in the audience.” They find it magical that often three generations of the same family watch the show and sing together ABBA tunes.

As artists who have imbibed the personalities of the ABBA members, they shared that they enjoy the audience response whether they perform in Australia or abroad and “the energy and the fun that we collectively have together.”

Part of it is seeing people’s faces when the band comes onto the stage, hearing their screams and witnessing the audience’s excitement.

The first time the group behind “Bjorn Again” had a show in the Philippines was 10 years ago. They are aware that the Filipino audience loves to sing along with the artists and the Philippines is a musical country that knows how to party.

A member recalled how Pinoys sang and danced on their first visit, and they had the time of their lives. It was awesome for the group to have seen that.

Where does the “Bjorn Again” group attribute the appeal and the timelessness of ABBA songs?

The band shared that “great music never goes out of fashion” and people connect with it. “There is something for everyone in ABBA’s music,” one member added. It’s also the kind of music that when one hears it once, one is hooked right in, as one could gather from the chat.

Each band member had his or her own favorite songs of ABBA. Their choices are The Name of the Game, Does Your Mother Know, Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, Money, Money, Money, Knowing Me, Knowing You and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!.

The reasons behind their picks range from a song’s groove and fun guitar work and its magical effect on a certain audience to the tune’s capacity for artists to leave their hearts on the stage and its riff and rhythm. These songs will probably be part of the show’s repertoire.

The “Bjorn Again” band said there are many new elements in the presentation that one can look forward to, and it wants to keep most of them as a surprise. The group has also worked extensively to recraft and reshape the set list and keep it fresh. Expect the big hits to be part of it.

A piece of information given to this paper says that “with spot-on vocals, dazzling energy, outrageous costumes, hilarious theatrics and cheeky humor, Björn Again (the band) delivers the ultimate ABBA experience for fans of all ages.”

For the Philippine shows, the group will also have a few special guests, possibly including local and young talents. It describes “Bjorn Again” as a big show with singing and dancing along. The band wants everyone to get up and have the best time of their lives.

It’s going to be a two-hour extravaganza for Pinoys to enjoy.

For details, visit Ticketworld outlets or Solaire Box Office Level 2, log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 8891-9999.