ABBA are extending their residency by a year as fans flock to buy tickets
EVEN more fans will soon be thanking ABBA for the music after the group secretly extended their run of shows in London.
The 90-minute state-of-the-art Abba Voyage concerts are currently booked up online until May next year.
However, I can reveal the show’s run has now been extended until spring 2026.
Thanks to huge demand, some of the most sought-after tickets in specially created “Dance Booths” have sold out nine months in advance.
A source said: “Everyone knows Abba has a seriously loyal fan base but the show was always a bit of a gamble.
“No one really knew how the Abba-tars were going to be received, as similar hologram-style concerts were a mixed bag. But for Abba the reaction was amazing. Even those most sceptical about the tech have walked away impressed.
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“The plan is to refresh the show with new songs that have already been shot by the group.”
Before it opened in May this year, the show — which takes place at the purpose-built Abba Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London — was surrounded in secrecy.
While it features a live band and backing singers in person, the group, made up of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, performs as Abba-tars — hologram-type versions of themselves locked in their youthful Seventies heyday.
I understand talks are still ongoing for the show to transfer to Las Vegas and take up residency on the iconic strip.
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In November last year, Abba released their ninth and final album, Voyage.
The record topped charts around the world — including in the UK.
Insisting they have ruled out any more new music, Bjorn previously told The Sun: “When you do a thing like that, you don’t know how people will receive it.
“It was with such pride that we released that album.
“I don’t think there will be any more music with Abba. I think that was definitely our last album.”
However, he went on to let slip that he had already thought up plans to keep fans coming back.
“We did more songs than we knew we were going to use. So there is more material,” he said.
GOOD HABITS BY ED ’N’ HORIZON
ON Saturday I exclusively revealed how Ed Sheeran was planning to make a surprise appearance alongside Bring Me The Horizon at Reading Festival.
And fans got just that – as the Shape Of You singer joined the rock band on the Main Stage West to perform their mash- up of Ed’s hit Bad Habits.
While Megan Thee Stallion had all heads turning with her sexy corset, Ed dressed in black for his slot with frontman Oli Sykes, who wowed crowds with a blistering set in a black jumpsuit covered in white hearts.
BMTH and Ed first revealed their version of Bad Habits at the Brit Awards in February, and after it landed rave reviews they have talked about collaborating again.
Oli said: “We’re talking about it. We’ve been emailing and figuring out what it could sound like. I think Ed’s really excited about it and we are too.”
Also storming the stages at Leeds and Reading were Ellie Rowsell and her band Wolf Alice, Willow Smith, Griff, Madison Beer and veteran headliners Alex Turner and the Arctic Monkeys.
SAM: RAYE THEN RAYA
HE enjoyed a string of dates with singer Raye after they were spotted getting cosy at a party following the Brit Awards.
But I can reveal Sam Fencer is still looking for love and has joined exclusive dating app Raya to try to find The One.
The Hypersonic Missiles singer has set up a profile on the app, following in the footsteps of Niall Horan, Jack Whitehall and Channing Tatum, who have all previously used it.
Sam has attached the Dijon song Many Times on his profile and calls himself a songwriter and musician based in London.
And the Geordie acknowledges his rock star status, including a snap of his Rolling Stone mag cover on his account, plus a selfie with a bulldog.
But settling down with someone could be tricky after the singer recently announced a headline Australian tour in November, following the success of his second studio album Seventeen Going Under.
Last night he closed Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival alongside Anne-Marie and Nothing But Thieves and will now hit Chicago to support Florence And The Machine’s US tour.
Sam was first tipped for success when he won the 2019 Brits Critics’ Choice award.
This year he won an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically And Lyrically with Seventeen Going Under. Let’s hope he can do just as well in love.
ELT & BRIT HIT REMIX
SHE has only just released Hold Me Closer, her long-awaited comeback single with Elton John, but Britney Spears isn’t resting on her laurels.
I understand an extended version of the track is set for release, as well as a bumper remix package.
Label bosses hope it will give the track longevity, like Elton’s 2021 global smash with Dua Lipa, Cold Heart.
A source said: “Hold Me Closer has got off to a near- perfect start but now it’s about longevity. Due to streaming, songs can stay on charts for months or simply drop off after the initial buzz dies down.
“A few remixes and an extended version will help to combat that.” While it’s already topped Spotify and Apple Music charts worldwide, Hold Me Closer will have to fend off a boost in streaming numbers from performers at last night’s MTV VMAs – with Lizzo, Blackpink and Nicki Minaj all having chart singles.
I first told of the song – a mix of Elton’s 1971 hit Tiny Dancer and 1992 album track The One – at the start of the month.
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Since then Elton has said he hopes the collaboration will finally give Britney the confidence she desperately needs after more than a decade of being locked in her conservatorship.
I have a feeling it will not only do that, but will also give Britney her highest-charting hit in years.