ABBA Live in Manila Will Allegedly Feature ABBA The New Generation
As the ABBA concert clips with the ABBA Live in Manila text flashed on the TV screen (Update: As of 06 November 2008, the concert promoters have changed the original ABBA clips to show a look-alike band.), I must admit that I actually considered for a moment that ABBA might be coming to Manila, but, it cannot be because I know for a fact that the ABBA members have stated adamantly that they’re NEVER going to re-group.
As recently as July 2008, after the Swedish premiere of the movie musical Mamma Mia, which prominently features ABBA songs, former band member Bjorn Ulvaeus stated, “We will never appear on stage again. There is simply no motivation to re-group. Money is not a factor and we would like people to remember us as we were. Young, exuberant, full of energy and ambition.”
So, who are performing during the 21 November (8pm) concert at the Philippine International Convention Center and then on 22 November (8pm party-time, 10pm show-time) dance-concert at the World Trade Center?
When I called Ticketnet at 911.5555 on the morning of 29 October 2008, Ticketnet call agent Vicky said that the original ABBA conducted a look alike contest in Sweden for new band members to replace them, the result of which is ABBA The New Generation. The group will be doing the tour, presumably, with the original ABBA’s knowledge and blessing.
The problem is, I can’t find any information about this alleged contest that supposedly spawned the group ABBA The New Generation. MTV nor Wikipedia has any news about it.
A second call in the afternoon had Ticketnet agent Addy saying that the new generation of ABBA were the ones who sang in the Mamma Mia soundtrack CD. Okay, that threw me for a loop, and, I think it’s safe to say Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan are not coming, but as to who are really coming, well, it remains a mystery as of the moment.
Maybe it would be more prudent to hold off from buying tickets until there’s more information from the producers of Brown Cross Investment.
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Thanks for giving light on this matter. At least we have an idea now of what and what not to expect. TV ads promoting the show are quite misleading
The images are misleading nga. But if you listen to the voice-over, it says (very quickly) that it’s “The best ABBA since ABBA”.
Nakakatawa yung comment na sila yung kumanta sa “Mamma Mia” OCR. Hahaha. Nanghuhula lang talaga.
It’s not even a voice-over pala, but text flashed onscreen.
i think most probably its a tribute band of sorts, just like the Karpenters (take note: with a “K” ha) that performed recently in HK singing the Carpenters’ songs.
do you know how much are the tix? in my opinion, as long as the prices are reasonable, and they can mimic the original ABBA close enough, it should be a fun show to watch.
Hi Gus,
I inquired at Ticketnet and got the ff. info as the ticket prices for the ABBA Live in Manila show:
21 Nov 2008 PICC
Php 4200
Php 3675
Php 2625
Php 840
Php 525
21 Nov 2008 World Trade Center
Php 5250
Php 3675
Php 2625
thank you for the info.. I grew up singing ABBA songs..:) and for a moment I really thought the ORIGINAL ones will be coming to Manila for the concert,,
hey lorna,
ang mahal naman ng tickets!!
hi to all!
Im a filipina and married to a swedish guy and we are living in sweden…I am in the philippines rightnow and when i saw on screen the abba concert i was so surprised because Abba will no longer have a concert together and if that happens it would be a breaking news in sweden which i never heard or read on the news paper before I left…so it only means one thing that the ABBA concert doesnt mean the original ABBA it is totally misleading people who wanted to witness ABBA singing again together….;)
but then,why dont give a try watching it!
Hi Ekhojd. Would you remember if there was an ABBA look alike contest sponsored by the original ABBA? Just want to confirm if the Ticketnet info is correct. Thanks!
For something that is not the real thing, they sure charge an arm and a leg!
abba naman talaga oo!!!!
ang weird. the first time i saw the CM, nag-settle na sa mind ko na hindi talaga yung original abba yun. pero after seeing it several times more, napaisip ako na baka sila nga. tapos sinabi pa ni mama na sila nga yun (yung naka-flash sa TV). inisip na min na pupunta na nga kami run pero, hehe. thanks for posting this stuff! ^_^