Introduction
Benny Andersson’s Son Lifts the Curtain on ABBA Voyage: A Dazzling Fusion of Legacy and Innovation
In a rare and revealing appearance on This Morning, Ludvig Andersson, the son of ABBA co-founder Benny Andersson, offered fans an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking ABBA Voyage show—hailed as one of the most ambitious live concert experiences in modern music history.
Ludvig, who serves as producer of the show, spoke passionately about what it meant to help bring his father’s iconic music back to the stage—this time, in a way the world had never seen before. “It’s not just a concert,” he explained. “It’s a time machine, a celebration, and a redefinition of what live music can be.”
Premiering in London in 2022, ABBA Voyage features digital avatars—or “ABBAtars”—of the four original band members: Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid, performing a full-length concert with a live 10-piece band. The group, digitally recreated to look as they did in their 1970s prime, is brought to life using cutting-edge motion capture technology, co-developed with George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic.
Ludvig described the emotional weight of seeing his father and the rest of the band transformed on stage through technology. “The first time we saw the avatars fully animated and synced to the music, we all got chills. It wasn’t just nostalgia—it was magic,” he said.
But beyond the technology, what makes ABBA Voyage special, Ludvig emphasized, is its emotional connection to generations of fans. “People come expecting a show, but they leave feeling like they’ve just seen the real ABBA perform. It’s surreal, and very touching,” he added.
The younger Andersson also shared some behind-the-scenes stories about how the project came together. “There were moments of doubt,” he admitted. “Would fans accept digital ABBA? Could we really capture the essence of their energy? But we knew the music would guide us. That was always our anchor.”
According to Ludvig, the band was deeply involved every step of the way. “They were in motion-capture suits for weeks, rehearsing, laughing, revisiting their dance moves—it was incredible to witness them reconnect with their youth in such a unique way.”
The show’s success speaks for itself. Originally planned for a limited run, ABBA Voyage has extended its stay in London due to overwhelming demand. Fans from around the globe have flown in to witness the spectacle—many describing it as a “spiritual” experience.
Ludvig hinted that there could be more to come. “We’ve had talks about bringing the experience to other cities,” he revealed. “This is just the beginning. ABBA’s music is timeless, and now, in a way, so is their presence.”
As the son of one of Sweden’s most legendary musicians, Ludvig carries a deep personal connection to the legacy of ABBA. “This project isn’t just about preserving the past,” he said. “It’s about reimagining it—for today’s audiences and for generations to come.”
With ABBA Voyage, the past and the future dance together in harmony—and thanks to the vision of a son and the brilliance of four musical pioneers, the journey continues.