Introduction
Benny Andersson Finally Reveals the Secrets Behind ABBA Voyage
London, UK — For years, ABBA’s groundbreaking Voyage concert has mesmerized audiences, blending the magic of live performance with cutting-edge technology. Fans have marveled at how Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid appear as their younger selves on stage—singing, dancing, and performing as though the 1970s never ended. But until now, the exact secrets behind Voyage remained closely guarded. That changed when Benny Andersson, ABBA’s legendary keyboardist and composer, finally opened up about the process that brought this futuristic show to life.
Speaking at a recent industry event, Andersson admitted that even he was skeptical when the idea was first introduced. “At the beginning, I thought it was impossible,” he confessed. “How could we capture the essence of ABBA—the movements, the expressions, the feeling—without being physically there? But when the technology started to show its potential, I realized this could be something extraordinary.”
The key, according to Benny, was authenticity. The avatars—affectionately nicknamed the “ABBAtars”—were not simply digital replicas. Every movement was painstakingly recorded through motion-capture technology, with the band members themselves spending weeks in studios wearing special suits to re-create the gestures, mannerisms, and stage chemistry that defined their performances decades earlier. “It had to feel real,” Andersson explained. “If it didn’t, people would know immediately. We wanted the audience to believe they were seeing ABBA as they remembered us.”
But that wasn’t the only secret Benny revealed. One of the most surprising admissions was just how emotionally taxing the process became. “It was like looking in a mirror to our past,” he said. “Seeing ourselves as we once were—young, energetic, fearless—it stirred up emotions we hadn’t felt in years. There were moments when it was overwhelming.”
Another behind-the-scenes detail Andersson shared was the band’s insistence on complete creative control. Unlike many high-tech productions, Voyage was not outsourced entirely to outside studios. Benny and Björn worked closely with a team of visual artists, engineers, and choreographers to ensure every note, every light cue, and every dance step reflected ABBA’s true spirit. “We didn’t want it to feel manufactured,” Benny said. “It had to be ABBA—not just a copy of ABBA.”
The results speak for themselves. Since opening at the custom-built ABBA Arena in London in 2022, Voyage has been hailed as a revolution in live entertainment. Critics describe it as “surreal yet breathtaking,” and fans from around the world have traveled to witness the phenomenon firsthand. For many, the show is not just a concert, but a time machine—an emotional journey back to the golden age of disco and pop.
As Benny concluded his remarks, he offered one final reflection that resonated deeply with fans: “ABBA Voyage is not about nostalgia. It’s about connection. It’s about proving that music can bridge time and technology, bringing people together in a way that still feels human.”
With those words, the mystery of Voyage felt just a little less mysterious—yet no less magical. Benny Andersson’s revelations may have lifted the curtain, but for audiences around the world, the enchantment of ABBA remains as powerful as ever.