Finally, ABBA is Björn again in what is being labelled one of the biggest reunions in music history.
Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid, have said “I Do” to getting the band back together for live digital concerts and another album.
Announced in London earlier today (September 3), Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson joined thousands in a globally-streamed YouTube Live to announce their new album “Voyage” and a series of revolutionary London concerts.
Björn said the memories and bonds they shared in the ’70s and ’80s came rushing back in a matter of seconds as soon as they stepped into the studio together.
“That’s a funny thing, it’s been forty years… and it was like no time had passed – quite amazing.”
Benny Andersson
ABBA last released an album, “The Visitors”, in 1981.
This new album, “Voyage” is to be released on November 5, and includes 10 brand new songs.
It will feature a few pop songs and even a Christmas jingle, just in time for December.
Two of the 10 songs have been released. The moment was so big, BBC Radio 5 held off their six-o’clock bulletin to play the first one.
“I Still Have Faith In You” is a slower ballad, while “Don’t Shut Me Down” brings out vintage ABBA with an upbeat tempo.
Both are available right now to stream.
The virtual concerts, to be staged in May next year, will be at the state-of-the-art purpose-built ABBA arena, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
It has a capacity of 3000 and features a dance floor and private dance booths. Each performance will feature 22 songs and run for just over an hour and a half.
“It was suggested to us that we could go on tour as holograms,” Björn said in the live stream, “that was four [or] five years ago.”
Benny added why that wasn’t possible: “because holograms are an old technology. And we wanted to do it before we were dead.”
The digital production went ahead and their “ABBA-tars”, created by London’s Industrial Light and Magic, have now been released on their official social media accounts.
When asked about why they chose London for the ABBA arena Benny said: “because London is the best city to be in when it comes to entertainment”.
“… it’s all here, it’s been here for years, and years, and years.”
BENNY ANDERSSON
Fans around the world, in every time zone, were strapped in to witness this ultimate music come-back, including true Super Troupers in Sydney tuning in at 3am for the announcement.
Benny Andersson on Piano (Photo: Liam Gilleland) 
Virtual ABBA on stage (Photo: Liam Gilleland)
Macleay College Journalism Lecturer and ABBA guru Neil McMahon, was among those up long before dawn. So were the technicians responsible for lighting up the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Speaking to ABC Radio’s Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck, Neil explained that the reunion wasn’t “for the money”.
He’s now tipping that the world will see the members of ABBA reunite tomorrow (September 4) for the second time in 24 hours.
The ABBA hysteria began in Australia in 1975 when “Mamma Mia” shot straight to Number 1 on the music charts, after being heard on Molly Meldrum’s “Countdown”.
The group’s “Fernando” debuted in 1976 – 45 years ago. It is still the longest running single at Number 1 in Australia; on top for 14 weeks.
In today’s climate, ABBA’s reunion feels exactly what Australia, and the world, needs right now. How fitting that the return of arguably the biggest band in the world, means it is our turn to say “thank you for the music.”
— Liam Gilleland @GillelandLiam