To think it's depressing that ABBA are making their avatars look like their younger selves

[Godwitz]

I may have completely misunderstood in which case I will be happy to be corrected.

Abba have written and recorded new music for the first time in decades. They won't be performing live instead avatars which will resemble their younger selves will be performing. No doubt it will be brilliantly done but would it really be so repulsive to watch people in their 70s perform pop songs?

Why can't the avatars resemble Agnetha and Annifrid as the 70 somethings they are now?

I wonder if it has something to do with the amount of footage there is of them at that stage, and whether that's used in combination with AI to create the holograms.

Performers often perform as their alter-ego or stage version of themselves, not their reality...
Theirs happens to be them in their younger years at the height of their fame (Mine would also be very different from me currently, how I dress currently. doesn't mean I dislike who I am currently)...who are you to question how they want to represent their inner selves/stage persona that they identify best with?

I don't like it. It's like Gorillaz. Not authentic at all.

I couldn't have told you what Orbital or the chemical brothers looked like in the 90s tbh. The graphics and light shows were the thing. I don't see this as much different.

@MrsElijahMikaelson1

They don’t want to tour despite being offered £billion to do so. They are trying to catch the joy and energy of their young days of touring for the abbatars for a new generation 🤷‍♀️

I agree with this. Why should they be expected to make avatars as they look now? If you think this then everybody should stop using blurring and all the other fakery that people use for photos.

I'm not a massive Abba fan but, I would want to see them and remember them in their hey-day, not now.

I also don't see what there is to be 'depressed' about this; that word is so overused on this site.

They haven’t done new music for years. The avatars will look like Abba did at the time when they released the songs they’re performing. It’s supposed to be a recreation of that era. It wouldn’t make sense for the avatars to look like the present day.

I haven't read the full thread but talking to dh last night, he's under the impression that they are performing live, but on the big screen they'll be a younger looking version. Sort of cgi over the top golf the real them? So every movement you see them do, the avatar will then also do it? I think it sounds hilarious in a good way! What's wrong with harnessing technology in order to entertain? If they are happy with it all that's all that matters. I would be a bit more 🤔 if it is just a kind if video/animation though. That sounds a bit rubbish...

@Godwitz

As I've said, it's not about them touring or playing live ... it's about them not being represented as the 70plus year old women they are now. As though that wouldn't be marketable. Which sadly it probably wouldn't be.

No that's not a good explanation of why you just chose to name the women

I think you are the problem not the Abbatars

It was nice seeing them in their apartment on the news, sort of pottering around together, it would be daft to get them back on stage - they've moved on.

I must be the only person the world who didn't enjoy them much in the first place. Fair play to them but I really won't be bothering this time around either.

@Ironmanrocks

I haven't read the full thread but talking to dh last night, he's under the impression that they are performing live, but on the big screen they'll be a younger looking version. Sort of cgi over the top golf the real them? So every movement you see them do, the avatar will then also do it? I think it sounds hilarious in a good way! What's wrong with harnessing technology in order to entertain? If they are happy with it all that's all that matters. I would be a bit more 🤔 if it is just a kind if video/animation though. That sounds a bit rubbish...

"Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Bjorn got on stage in front of 160 cameras and almost as many VFX geniuses, and they performed every song in this show, to perfection, over five weeks," explained producer Ludvig Andersson."

They'll be there on the first night, apparently.

@ReviewingTheSituation

I wondered the same (as in why they're touring as a younger group). But to those saying they won't be able to move/dance like they used to, isn't the whole point that they 'performed' the whole gig themselves, wearing motion capture suits? So what you see is them moving/dancing/performing, but just looking young?

Actually they have used 20 something body doubles for the dancing so all they’ve had to do is sing/abbatar their faces. I think it’s a terrific idea and means more people will be able to see it and it could run for years.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/culture/abba-voyage-2021-reunited-abba-unveil-vr-live-show-first-new-songs-since-1982-1180261/amp

I understand your point completely Godwitz but there are sadly things a pop/rock star isn't allowed to do - get fat, old, wrinkled or bald. The music industry promotes the young, the 'next big thing' and no matter how wonderful the music it tends to be thought of as 'that old thing' just because it's been around for ages.

Many of us still listen to what is considered 'old music' - Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Guns N'Roses and the like. It's still good music. Elton John has been criticised on another thread for his latest offering as being 'desperate to seem relevant'. It either appeals to you or it doesn't.

There's also the fact that the artists themselves don't want comparisons made between now and then, you'd need a pretty thick skin to cope with all the trash talk on social media (how very dare they get old!).

But we’ve seen them! Obviously there’s going to be comment regardless. I’m disappointed, if Jagger can still strut his stuff so can they.

I think I'd be tempted just so i could use the term abbatar. Nice one.

I think it's quite clever actually.....touring as their younger selves, presenting the world with the 70's ABBA experience all over again

Recreating the magic as it was then.

Would be great done with other bands too. But I can't think of any! Did think of the Beatles but you need everyone alive

I love ABBA ❤️

@SoupDragon

The women would be scrutinised.

Just like you're doing now.

Where have I done that?

I understand your point completely Godwitz but there are sadly things a pop/rock star isn't allowed to do - get fat, old, wrinkled or bald

No one's told the Stones that Many bands full of older men perform. Plenty of them fat, wrinkled, bald or all three.

I think its fine. They're reliving their heyday as will be a lot of the audience, like watching old family videos. Smile and reminisce and let the music take you back to a different time!

If they were doing new music and making young avatars it might not be so fitting, but matching the avatars with the music would be a lovely night spent in forgotten times I think!

I don't find it depressing. I think it sounds innovative and interesting.

I also see why they no longer want to do gruelling tours in their seventies. This is a way that they can offer their fans, existing and new, some new music and performances to go to.

@refusetobeasheep

No, not depressing - this show will be re-capturing the joy and youth of their hey day in the seventies and I for one cannot wait!!

This ^^

They are in their 70's, touring / performing every night would be exhausting . And they want their fans to enjoy the music and the youthful exuberance of their younger days. Good for them, embracing the technology which makes this possible !

Forgive me, i'm sure it's me - but i thought ABBA was acronym made from their names. But it's Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Bjorn ... ?

I thought the same and it is a bit creepy