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Original poster

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

122 replies

Godwitz · 03/09/2021 08:11

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?

OP posts:
woodhill · 03/09/2021 14:58

Annifrid I think

HaveringWavering · 03/09/2021 15:00

@ACPC

Leaving ABBA aside, I think we are going down a dodgy road here. Today its CGI/holographic performance, tomorrow it could be completely generated 'entertainers'. It's creepy.
OMG. Imagine if, instead of having actors in films they just did entire films with, like, moving drawings or something….
MrsMoastyToasty · 03/09/2021 15:12

I find it weird that the members were once 2 married couples and have been divorced for so many years...and are working together again.

Mozzers · 03/09/2021 15:14

Much of 'live music' performance these days is not actual being played live and performers make extensive use backing tracks.

ABBA we're not that great a live band even on their last tour in 1979 and their ability to pull it off again night after night forty+ years later today's highly debatable. I'm just glad they have recorded some new music together.

These shows will help cement their legacy as it helps to meet the huge demand for their music and performance. The venue/show can be moved around many different countries again to meet demand.

This will be the future for performance in the digital era, especially as rock music icons pass away. Most new music that is created/recorded today is not actually played live in the first place and steaming has resulted in music being consumed in a very different way.

SwedishEdith · 03/09/2021 15:16

They worked together for years after they split in their first incarnation. It's a business as much as anything.

Original poster
Godwitz · 03/09/2021 15:22

If they were doing new music and making young avatars it might not be so fitting

That's exactly what they're doing - it's a new album with new songs!

OP posts:
MumYourBabyGrewUpToBeACowboy · 03/09/2021 15:27

I think Abbatars are a fun idea

Laiste · 03/09/2021 15:42

@woodhill

Annifrid I think
AH! lol. Thanks :)
Laiste · 03/09/2021 15:46

Re OP, i thought the same this morning, watching BBC Brek. However, having read this thread i do think

  1. one or all of them are perhaps too creaky/nervous to do a live tour, and
  2. because ABBA is all about the 70s/80s with no identity beyond that they feel the fans just want ABBA as it was and is, and always will be really in everyone's minds?
DriveMeCrazy1974 · 03/09/2021 17:11

@Laiste

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 ... ?
@Laiste Frida's full first name is Anni-Frid - just gets shortened to Frida. That's how the name fits into the ABBA name :)
plodalong12 · 03/09/2021 17:39

@ACPC

Leaving ABBA aside, I think we are going down a dodgy road here. Today its CGI/holographic performance, tomorrow it could be completely generated 'entertainers'. It's creepy.
Tomorrow? The Gorillaz were formed back in 1998.
Laiste · 03/09/2021 19:52

@DriveMeCrazy1974

Thank you :)

Peregrina · 03/09/2021 21:03

I was quite pleased to see how they had filled out a bit, over the years, (like me.)

Lentil63 · 03/09/2021 21:10

It clearly doesn’t rock your boat. That’s absolutely fine, it clearly wasn’t meant for you. The world is full of different people and so long as their joy doesn’t hurt anyone who are we to deny them?

Original poster
Godwitz · 03/09/2021 22:28

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

Of course it is - it's my answer to the question. Agnetha and Frida had beautiful voices, harmonised magically together and were very attractive. Benny and Bjorn (see - I've named them!) Were incredibly talented songwriters and producers but not known for their good looks. They will not be scrutinised in the way the women would be cos they're men.

I think you are the problem not the Abbatars

OK Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Godwitz · 03/09/2021 22:52

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

Why not? This is music they have recorded recently - as 70 year olds - so why depict them as their younger selves?

OP posts:
Durbeyfield · 03/09/2021 22:53

You are right, it is quite sad actually.

Notjustanymum · 03/09/2021 23:09

Nowhere near as depressing as seeing Paul McCartney attempt to creak through his back catalogue onstage, nor watching Mick Jagger attempt dance moves from the ‘70s... the Abbatars are a brilliant idea!

LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone · 03/09/2021 23:21

Let's face it, when you think of ABBA you picture how they were in the 1970's.
I think it's nice that we'll be able to see that again, but with new music. There's nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia 😊

VestaTilley · 03/09/2021 23:34

I have no problem with the avatars thing, but I agree completely that it’s a shame that they’ve all chosen to look younger.

I expect they just want to be enjoyed as they were in their hey-day, but it’s a real pity.

Original poster
Godwitz · 04/09/2021 09:50

They released some footage of there avatars at approx 3.40

Technically brilliant but an idealised version of the group. They could have used their 70 year old selves as avatars but would that have turned people off?

Oh well, I'm sure it will sell.

OP posts:
Peregrina · 04/09/2021 09:51

Vesta - yes. If they had chosen to appear as themselves they would have made a good statement about aging - it's OK to be grey and wrinkled and have filled out a bit - you can still make good music.

DoctorTwo · 04/09/2021 09:51

Like many of you I'm looking forward to hearing new music from one of the best bands of the last 50 years. Can't wait to find out how good it is.

SirChenjins · 04/09/2021 10:12

I am being completely thick here…is it an actual concert with avatars? Ie do you have to go to London to see them on stage in avatar form? Or do you watch it on your screen at home?

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 04/09/2021 10:48

@Peregrina

Vesta - yes. If they had chosen to appear as themselves they would have made a good statement about aging - it's OK to be grey and wrinkled and have filled out a bit - you can still make good music.
Maybe they didn't want to make a statement about ageing. Maybe, they're quite happy to use the Abbatars to represent them. Not everything has to be about making a statement. They're under no obligation to do that....