*For clarification:* it’s always possible, and likely, that ABBA does have insight and rights to approve or disapprove how their Eurovision contribution would be contextualized, e.g. building and hyping it up, doing the Alcazar fake-out etc. We don’t exactly know, so we have to be careful with those nuances. Also, we talked about ABBA’s TikTok video from last week. Initially, it indicated that ABBA was teasing something themselves. However, some comments made me aware that this video was more likely uploaded following the agreement between TikTok and Universal in regards to copyright. ABBA hasn’t posted TiKTok videos for awhile, and now, following the agreement, this was their new video saying "We’re back. Did you miss us? 'Cause we missed you." The hashtags said#'Eurovision #1974, since ABBA used a video excerpt from 1974.

@herbwarren6671

25 күн бұрын

I would think they would have a lot to say about the use of the Voyage material.

@alexioverdo5225

24 күн бұрын

oooohhh,the comment section in this clip got fired up.Over 300 in 16 hours.

@bobbysbrother137

24 күн бұрын

@@alexioverdo5225 And lots of good discussions back and forth. Love the fact that there are many different perspectives.

I loved the Voyage excerpt and was emotional until the three singers joined in, I felt it spoilt Abba's moment. I wasn't expecting ABBA to be there but I would have preferred just seeing a montage of their career for the duration of the song.

@eliaspapoudaris6012

25 күн бұрын

Loved the Abbatars appearance. Just a feeling they were really there. A magic funny moment.

@booh12469

25 күн бұрын

Agreed!! 💯

@plerpplerp5599

24 күн бұрын

Yes. It was as excruciating as Madonna's performance without autotune.😂

@brida1450

22 күн бұрын

And the way they shovelled Alcazar off the stage in the middle of their song wasn't funny either. It just felt rude. And weird.

@user-yp8ic9ju6w

22 күн бұрын

I agree, they should have let ABBA have their moment to themselves and themselves only.

As a long time ABBA fan, Î’m really happy that they didn’t show up to that abominable show. ABBA will remain the best pop group of all time!❤️

@stevewickens1163

25 күн бұрын

I agree. It was the worst Song Contest for years. Sweden seems to have lost its knack a little. Perhaps self entitled complacency?

@JET_60

25 күн бұрын

I agree. 👍

@inkanietzkowsky36

20 күн бұрын

Aber so was von .Totale Abba Fans Inka und Sabine..

@evangeliar.7600

18 күн бұрын

They literally posted about it and the only reason why they didn't show up is because they hate each other lmao

Everything SVT has done this year with ABBA has been shameful. The 50 year concert held at the Cirkus was a joke as was some of the happenings at the Eurovision Song Contest (including what happened with ABBA as per this video).

@Stardustspectrum

25 күн бұрын

Yes, major fail. That celebration concert was horrible and embarrassing. I felt that the arrangement tried to pretend that a piece o junk was gold.

I was 95% sure about the Abbatars performing 'Waterloo" and didn't expect smth more.So in that scale i wasn't dissapointed cause my expectations weren't high.I won't be critical to Abba.They are 4 people in their '70s.They are all fullfilled and enjoy their private lives and the highly acknowledged legacy they've left in music history. That was finally well cemented especially after the VOYAGE 'expirement' and their 'comeback-goodbye" no1 album.I feel more than tearfully grateful and great respect.They gave us an unexpected little kiss of life after the Covid lockdown and their 4 decades of hiatus.ABBA is now more cool and popular than ever.THank You ABBA>period.

@eliaspapoudaris6012

25 күн бұрын

Finally someone not complaining. I believe they make their final goodbye at Arena in London and let take the Abbatars replacing them from now on.

@fernandogomez5559

25 күн бұрын

Completamente de acuerdo con todo lo escrito. ❤

@alexioverdo5225

25 күн бұрын

@@fernandogomez5559Gracias 😊

@joegoodman9232

25 күн бұрын

Love it. Well said! They don't have to prove a damn thing. They gave their hearts and soul. ABBA gave us the best Music ever. They are #1 in my book. The Best of the Best! ❤❤❤❤

@damothepianist

25 күн бұрын

I agree with you. I did hope that they might finish the song 'Hit me like a train.' but that was it. Abba are done. Leave them in peace.

Bobby I fully agree with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts which I’m sure many many ABBA fans will wholeheartedly agree with too.

I totally agree with you!!!! Thanks for being critical!

Eurovision did us all wrong. Shame on you. I love you ABBA, you will be in our hearts and lives forever no matter what. ❤❤❤❤ Thank you Bobby’s brother, Jag älskar dig så mycket

I wouldn't expect something more from four laidback people at such an age who enjoy their privacy after have given to this world so much Happyness,joy , comfort,consolation through their music and humble ,ordinary model of lifestyle.Perhaps the one and only last time we will ever see them together again, might be that Royal honour from the Swedish King and Queen.

@christianoazzuro6711

25 күн бұрын

PS...Otherwise it's a chance to upgrade the value of their one and only conscious official appearence as ABBA all 4 in the premier of 26th of May 2021.So All you people who saw them there ...All of You CHERISH in your hearts that moment.It was one chance in a lifetime.You were lucky. Whatever,I LOVE you ABBA.THANK YOU for everything.

@damothepianist

25 күн бұрын

I do not think they will be together for this

@christianoazzuro6711

24 күн бұрын

@@damothepianist Well it's the King and Queen so maybe they will get there in person but not allow filming.Possibly some photos from some private event.Who knows.

I was so happy to see the voyage concert clip. Though its not the same being at the concert. A whole recording of the concert would be amazing. Just what made me angry was those 3 people singing waterloo half way. I do not blame ABBA for not showing up. Yes Eurovision was a special moment for them. But they are mega stars cause of all the songs they have done through the years.

I agree totally with you BB. I remember watching an interview with Benny & Bjorn where Benny said they would not be involved & Bjorn seemed to reluctantly agreed. It wss good of them to supply 2 comments but to watch 2 hours of the contest to see what I have seen twice at Voyage, was a waste of time. SVT & Eurovision basically conned us into watching it with all their build up.

For me personally, it was very emotional to see the "Waterloo" snippet from "Voyage" again after having seen the show! However, I would have liked it better if they had kept going with the whole footage of the "Waterloo" Eurovision performance, instead of the other Swedish winners taking over the second verse. I just watched this excerpt, not the rest of Eurovision, so this is the first time I hear about the whole "joke". I agree with you, BB, this was a tremendous let-down!

@realistxxx4821

25 күн бұрын

If there's one thing you must do if you can is see Voyage. Have luckily been 4 times awaiting my 5th. It's fantastic.

@marikesl

25 күн бұрын

@@realistxxx4821 I saw it on August 26th 2022 - best concert of my life, for sure!!! Totally agree with you, everyone should see it, it's beyond words!!!

I feel Eurovision and STV were really quite disrespectful towards ABBA. OK ABBA didn't wish to appear personally but granted permission to use the ABBAtars on TV for the very first time, what an exclusive coupe!! In return, we got a clip of two women in Brighton saying ABBA's win hadn't influenced Brighton at all.... completely uncalled for disrespect. Given the amount of money spent on the concert staging a lot more effort could have been put into doing a proper video montage to pay respect to the biggest act ever to win Eurovision. Very disappointing on the part of Eurovision and STV.

@christianoazzuro6711

25 күн бұрын

@@alexioverdo5225 Well actually, he and rest of them 'spread' their votes preferably to other participants.As far as i'm concerened,none of the UK juries at the time were some kind of experts.Basel was just a student being in England who just answered a BBC advert in the paper in order to get some money and travel.so no big deal regarding these criterias.Despite Abba not 'making any impression -as he said- to all ESC juries Olivia N.J. had stated some years ago that by the time we saw ABBA we all knew who the winner would be.And the record buying public agreed, ever after.

@janparish7895

25 күн бұрын

Shame on Eurovision for giving impression something more worthwhile was scheduled.

@sg-yq8pm

25 күн бұрын

ABBA's win hadn't influenced Brighton at all is a statement of fact, didn't need to be included but it's true.

@joeclarke6973

24 күн бұрын

Abba agreed for their own reasons to promote Voyage -nothing more, nothing less . It was a great marketing ploy

@karinkdv2854

24 күн бұрын

100 % right But abba could have made a short video for the fans and they didn’t do anything at all , Guess 50 year’s anniversary isn’t that big of a for them

Watching an excerpt of Waterloo from the Voyage show is touching and it surely celebrates the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s winning of Eurovision. It fits well.

I completely hear what you say and agree. I felt that ABBA were literally just the butt of all Eurovision jokes and were name dropped at any given opportunity. I hardly associate ABBA with Eurovision these days because it was such a small part in their story. They would have been successful without Eurovision anyway. Look at Australia and the USA where Eurovision didn’t impact, yet they still sold tons of records. So in my opinion the Eurovision tag can legitimately now be dropped! Thank you Bobby’s Brother 👍

While part of me hoped we’d get to see ABBA, part of me is also glad they didn’t associate themselves with whatever rubbish was broadcasting on Saturday. Shame on Swedish TV for using fans love for ABBA to try and get more people to watch.

Hey Hey Bobby, there’s a saying here in America to describe what Eurovision did. “The whole thing was a bummer.” Very disappointed in them.

@mathiastrostdorf5638

25 күн бұрын

in some articels next day the- for me- very dissapointing abba(tar) part wasnt even mentioned. l agree with bobby that the abbatars are not very good on tv. the frida abbatar is the one that comes closest to the original frida, but even her looked pretty artifical. the scene was supposed to be funny but l wasnt impressed at all. anyway. this esc will probably be reminded for worse things that have happend there. and not for abba.

@rebradroot

17 күн бұрын

Sorry, but ABBA is a joke at this point. That the band members couldn’t even put aside any differences, and deal with their inevitable aging, stand on a stage and bow or introduce their stupid Abbatars is just sad. They got as good as they gave.

I agree but what also added to the rumors and anticipations was the cryptic post on Abbas Tiktok page the same day. Abba doesn’t have to do anything they don’t want to. They are music royalty and living legends and will forever be on top no matter what.

@silviab.7574

24 күн бұрын

I was not expecting anything to happen at the ESC until I saw this TicToc clip. Now I'm a bit disappointed...

I very much agree with you! The Eurovision board and swedish tv they don´t know what they are doing. There should be a very big change back to the music or stop the eurovision completely...and why is it only called Eurovision now and not Song Contest?

You are absolutely right - in many ways! 1. We saw Voyage in London as well. Watching it on TV is definitely not the same. I had tears in my eyes in London, on TV it was just "okay". 2. I knew that ABBA was not going to show up in Malmö and I was fine with that. However, they announced that something special was going to happen - for no reason!! Thanks for your videos, you are doing a great job! 😊

I recorded the Eurovision Song Contest, as I was only interested to see an ABBA tribute. I loved the ABBAtars, and thought that part was brilliant. I've not yet been able to see Voyage yet, so was lovely to witness that part of the tribute. I do agree that the following part with the three singers singing over Waterloo was unnecessary

@bazbahadur1600

24 күн бұрын

If one day you'll see the show, you'll enjoy too much more, I promise you. It's amazing on the stage 😊

It is good to hear your opinion on this. I couldn't agree more, I was very much not expecting ABBA to be there or anything too big to happen, but when the show constantly teases and suggest something big is gonna happen, you kind of fool yourself into thinking "oh maybe, it really WILL happen". So it was a bit of an anticlimax, especially when a lot of fans have been to the Voyage concert. I think I would have preferred just a video of ABBA saying hello etc instead of ABBAtars, but I appreciate what they did do for it.

Yes, SVT mis-sold this but ABBA aren't entirely blame-free here. I can't imagine ANY scenario in which ABBA would not be in control of their image and how it would be used. If they saw the script and okayed it, they deserve at least a *little* of the criticism. Perhaps it's the fault of their agents? ABBA doesn't get to this level of global, iconic stature without exerting control over how people represent them in public. This looked like it had their seal of approval. I loved the Voyage show and thought this would be a great ad for it. It turned out to be underwhelming. Maybe I should separate this event from the overall 50th anniversary "celebrations" - which are also proving a little underwhelming so far. I hope that something a little more exciting is still to come on that front.

@annedonker4795

25 күн бұрын

good points. we as abba fans are reluctant to voice criticism towards them, at least i am, but at the same time, if they had any sort of say about how their avatar participation in the eurovision show was to be implemented, well, then i am disappointed in abba also. IF that was the case of course.

Appreciate your rant, BB. 🙏🏻 Also, your comment about the ABBAtars really working in person, but maybe less so on TV. I've not been to ABBA Voyage in London, but my friend who has said that he was in the front row, and was totally taken in by the performance, he really felt that they were there in the room performing. That excitement awaits for me at some unspecified point in the future (I hope). Thanks for your thoughts, as always, Bobby's Brother. Hej då.

I agree entirely with this report. I have seen Voyage twice and it is amazing. Sad Eurovision couldn’t honour ABBA in an appropriate way and once the three former contestants started to massacre the cover of Waterloo I had to mute the telly!

Thanks Bobby's B! 🎶❤ I have to admit that I "volunteered/ sacrificed" 4 hours of my time to watch Eurovision in full, for a change - so as not to miss a possible mention or segment of ABBA. I'm not a fan of Eurovision, as it has been for the last decade. All the overt, fierce politicisation (including identity politics) of it in recent years have been a complete turn-off - especially this year's - the outside protests and crowd booh-ing of Israel's performer overwhelmed and mocked the event. The ABBA anniversary homage was the highlight for me though, however clumsy it seemed, alongside Israel receiving the highest public vote! They could've excluded the 3 singers who sang along with "Waterloo" on stage, like it was a karaoke event.

The contest was a disgrace and the way ABBA was used utterly appalling

Loved the ABBAtar clip. It was great to see and brought back great memories from the voyage concert. Does it work on TV? I think it does. I guess that, like the two animated videos we had from Agnetha for her A+ singles, it's a great way of maintaining that image of ABBA that so many people have in their minds. For group that many fans had thought were done, anything we get is a gift. That, of course includes your informative and entertaining videos BB. Thank you.

ABBA nunca decepciona, ni va a decepcionar. Los que si decepcionan son las personas que hacen el trabajo mal hecho. Yo pienso muy igual que el comentarista y crearon una falsa expectativa da dando esa serie de pistas induciendo al error y a la confusión. En definitiva: ABBA NUNCA DECEPCIONA❤ NUNCA.!!!

ABBA WAS THE BEST GROUP THE GIRLS HAVE BEAUTIFUL VOICE S THANKYOU 😊

For me, it was clear for quiet some time that they would not be present in the ESC 2024, they made it clear and i accept and respect their decision 100%. What i don't understand is why the Swedish TV "speculated" so much about an hypothetical presence of the group on stage. That is what I really don't understand!

@sianwilliams9564

22 күн бұрын

Yes this is how I felt too. At most I thought maybe B or B might attend but then over the years they did their best to distance themselves from ESC, saying that it was a platform they needed, and they didn't consider themselves a "Eurovision band" as such.

Hello Bobby, I agree with you. The problem is not the fragment of Abba Voyage, which it is completely diferent to be in the show (I was twice) and it is really fantastic to see them but if you are transport- to say- the Avatars to a TV show, the magic is completely lost. Anyway, somehow we celebrate this 50 years Waterloo song from our best band ever: ABBA. Long live ABBA!!!! Best regards to all!!!

Personally, I was never expecting AꓭBA to actually appear in person at ESC 2024 and that seemed clear beforehand in interviews where they were asked about that possibility. I greatly enjoyed the AꓭBA submitted Voyage segment. I loved the effect of flying into the arena and right up on the stage. The reminiscing about Waterloo by all four was awesome. Handing it off to the ESC footage from 1974 was fantastic. The added greeting and best wishes was a nice touch. It all looked very good and I would absolutely love to see the entire Voyage concert released on DVD/Blu-ray in this sort of style (combining actual Voyage concert footage with some of the on-stage camera angles to create something unique). I would also love to hear a Voyage Live CD (and digital audio) as well. Is it like being there live. No. Of course it isn't. It never will be… short of maybe some sort of app for Apple Vision Pro or something similar that could put you in the audience. But for anyone who can't attend the Voyage concert it is pretty amazing and I loved seeing the avatars in action. If anything it would make me more excited to see the concert live if that ever becomes a possibility (as even this short segment did and even the AꓭBA released Voyage promo clips have). The rest of ESC 2024 around it? Well, that I have mixed feelings about. I personally didn't mind the joke so much before it (I like Alcazar although I would have picked a better song from one of their past Melodifestivalen appearances) but I don't think the sing-along to Waterloo during the AꓭBA segment worked all that well on stage (the audience singing along though was cool and they seemed to be having a fantastic time). While great artists in their own rights, I think Carola, Charlotte, and Conchita were not the best voices to try to blend in for an AꓭBA song (I can think of several past Melodifestivalen artists who would have sounded better performing this song) and I think it detracted a bit. I was also rather surprised that the hosts talked over the final message from AꓭBA (well, at least from Benny & Björn). They surely would have been aware of that being there beforehand, so it seems really odd.

So well stated!! It was strange and led to a anti climax when the ABBAtars showed up. And also that the ABBAtars are not that great on TV. My son asked me why we would go as it looked so steange. I’ve been to the show and loved it!!

I completely agree with you in all that you said. Your perception is right on the spot. Also, ABBA Museum had an exhibition there and that also counts. I feel that ABBA deserved to be mentioned, in their country on their 50th anniversary. The ABBAtars and the Museum were definitely sufficient contribution by ABBA. Let's be honest, Eurovision is not what is used to be, decades ago. It has become a political platform, even if they deny it. Music is just incidental and the best song rarely wins.

Thank you, Bobby, for your pure opion👍now waiting, for 21 May😉

I remember there was a interview with Benny & Bjorn. And the question was asked. Benny did say no cause it is not what it used to be, and if one says no. Then is a team agreement. (if head wrong, I apologise)., and Bobby. I agree with you. It was good what they did, but like to know did they (ABBA), sanction it. Nice touch at the end wishing them luck. The hype was uncalled for. It's not the same on TV, but still good.

@TheFridaFan

25 күн бұрын

I think Frida is also quoted somewhere saying that she doesn't have much love for the contest anymore and doesn't follow it. It's very possible to me that they didn't really want to do anything but felt somewhat obligated.

@dannyd493

25 күн бұрын

@@TheFridaFan yeah your right. She did an interview with Zoe Ball, on radio 1. (It on here). By the way. Love Frida❤️

Hey Bobby. did u know they did a show in Sweden usin Abbatars etc. I can't recall the date.

I didn't expect more. They don't want to. At least two of them (Agnetha and Benny). We must respect that! The whole Eurovision was under strong political views. "Unite with music" well Malmö tried, but how simple was it? Im impressed by their work under such security pressure. It wasn't about Abba and 50 years, but many staff and artists did a really good job! I loved Abbas contribution and most of all Anni-Frid: -Its about having a sense of humour! Well many people tried to disturb the mood and the humour. But let's don't listen to them!

Eurovision was a circus this year & has been for so many other years so I can totally understand why Abba did not want any part of it, however as the show was in Sweden and it was the show that launched ABBA it would have been nice if they did make an appearance or even recorded something , A simple good luck message would have sufficed! In an interview last year Bjorn was keen but Benny wasn't interested and stated that "If he didn't want to do it then none of the 4 would do it" The whole ABBA segment was disappointing and clearly lacked proper planning !

@annedonker4795

25 күн бұрын

you nailed it! all abba needed to do was a quick video message as you're rightly saying. that would have been enough to appease everyone. not that abba needs to appease anyone, but it would have sufficed. again i personally am not a fan of the whole avatar thing, even though i can appreciate the innovative nature of it.

@joekeane789

24 күн бұрын

@@annedonker4795 Voyage was amazing and the atmosphere in the Abba arena is electric. Go see it you won't be disappointed, I'm planning to go see it again later in the year.

fully agree. Also the Circus ABBA tribute show was awful. I watched on tv. Never seen such pathetic and second class performances.

I think it would have been great if Abba had shown up but at least they contributed something to the show. If Abba had shown up it would have made the show a spectacular highlight but I see both sides of this situation. I just don't think they coordinated Michelle as well as they could have. Hopefully somewhere in the future we will see them all together again soon😊

The voice of reason,well said!

I think it works on TV, I hope there is a DVD with interviews from ABBA and how the show was created. There has to be a DVD.

They probably didn't mean it but there was also that lack of ABBA acknowledgement from the Bucks Fizz choreographer when interviewed. It was implied that the 'short skirt under the long dress reveal' was a novel idea and first done by them in the 1981 ESC. Didn't ABBA do it five years before, on their first visit to Australia in 1976? They first wore the 'cat dresses, long and short versions underneath' the previous May in 1975 on that 'Made In Sweden For Export' TV programme. Since this was hosted in Sweden, it was surprising that wasn't pointed out.

@booh12469

25 күн бұрын

YES they did, just as you described ~ the cat print miniskirts that Agnetha & Frida wore during 1975 TV specials and on some releases of the cover of the "S.O.S" single.

My family and I are in Hawaii and have travelled to London to see ABBA Voyage ... 5 performances seen so far. It was so great to see the Waterloo excerpt and made us feel like we were back at the show. If I had the excerpt of "The Visitors" opening number I would watch it every day that was so amazing. I loved being able to see this excerpt, and I'm sure anyone who has been to the live show appreciates the ability to see it again!!!

Agree💯! 👍 ABBA forever ❤️ The best of the best❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank you Bobby, now I understand a little bit about the situation. When Benny said that they won’t be going to Eurovision, I remember Björn looking at him as he was surprised. Then he said that if one of the band members said NO, it’s a no for all. I thought that Benny’s answer was because they were not sent the year before, but only when they won, Sweden was catapulted to the top and ABBA succeeded by their own merits. In any case, I totally understand the fans who want more. I went to the show once and I am planning to cross the ocean again to see that incredible show. Anything that may damage such amazing spectacle, would ruin the band and all the wonderful job that the producers, musicians, and all the staff in general are delivering since the beginning. I’m with you Bobby, the Eurovision people probably were using ABBA to hold the audience till the end. I didn’t watch it but I bet that most of the audience was hoping to see Napoleon again.

They had a whole year to prepare something significant for the Waterloo 50th and it failed to deliver. I presumed it would be something to do with the Abbatars and surely something new could have been put together instead of a recycled part of the Voyage show. Waterloo was a watershed moment in pop music history and it was utterly underwhelming..a lost opportunity to celebrate something very special..😔

50 years ago ᗅᗺᗷᗅ won ESC with "Waterloo" April 6 1974 also the same day "Hooked on a Feeling" First #1 on Billboard from Sweden 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 40 years ago won "Diggi loo diggi ley" Herreys (3 brothers) 25 years ago won "Take Me to Your Heaven" Charlotte Perrelli (née Nilsson

you are right ABBA don’t belong to Eurovision any more ABBA have grown and flourished since winning in 1974 and Eurovision has lost its way over the years and is now just a circus.

50 years have gone by since ABBAs win in Brighton. They were never a Eurovision Act and since the demographics of the show I’ve changed so much since then ,Abbas time at Brighton was totally different from what is today. Why would the biggest band in history associate themselves with the circus of trash Eurovision has become today. Good on you Abba - stay way !

They could have recorded a short video message to say thank you to the fans like Bjorn contributed a short video message for a previous edition of Eurovision.

I agree with everything you say Bobby. But still Abba are so.much loved and respected. Thank you Abba Bobby's Brother.

The answer is simple. They wanted the largest audience possible and we (ABBA fans) are legion.

I really loved Eurovision included Abba in the whole show. The link up to Abba Voyage London was fabulous. I really wasn't expecting Abba to appear in any shape or form. I was thrilled to see Waterloo being performed by other artists. I think for a band that won yers ago and weren't in the 2024 competition they actually hogged it!

I was with my yellow cap in front of the stage dancing when the video was made it. I saw my self and was 1 minute. I couldn't believe it, but for me seeing myself was just WOW, I LOVE IT, and brought up to me the most beautiful memory

Once again, a wise move by ABBA not to be there. To be quite honest, the show was the worst ever screened and not worthy of any content given by ABBA. The show has now deteriorated into a woke and very camp event that most people thought was pornographic filth.

@takaprawda6049

25 күн бұрын

Exactly, Eurovision 2024 was one big scandal

@booh12469

25 күн бұрын

Agree 💯!!

@user-mk9xu5pg3b

25 күн бұрын

OK, what does "woke" mean to you? Define woke for me.

@Muckylittleme

25 күн бұрын

@@user-mk9xu5pg3b Woke; Not understanding that Political Correctness is a top down cultural Marxist social engineering tool designed to subvert and divide society to make rule easier as tyranny increases and disguise totalitarianism as diversity and inclusion. To not understand that Identity politics is inherently sexist, racist and bigoted and that diversity quotas are inherently discriminatory. To care more about social media likes through virtue signalling the latest thing rather than having actual unbending moral principle by which you stand. To believe that man pretending to be a woman should have rights over women themselves. To believe that woman's right to murder her baby is more important the right to life. To think the words of Hollywood actors who are multi-millionaires through pretending to be someone else and divorced from the ordinary persons reality are sacrosanct. To back every proxy war just so long as you are told one side is good and the other bad without ever worrying about the nuance of geopolitics, history or reality. To believe the wealthiest people in the world who live in opulence and have fleets of private jets and super yachts when they say you must have nothing or the World will end. To call everyone who disagrees with you "far right," "racist," and "literally Hitler"

@sg-yq8pm

25 күн бұрын

''most people thought was pornographic filth'' - If you have a point to make express it intelligently, that claim, both parts, are idiotic low intellect exaggerations.

Eurovision had many flaws this year... I wasn't expecting anything really and actually pleasantly surprised by Alcazar when they interrupted their performance ...😳 ? And the hints about Brighton and so on...nah..., too dull. I was happy to see that little part of the Voyage show though, brought back good memories. And I realised that ABBA doesn't need Eurovision for anything. That's where it all began, when Eurovision was still exciting and fun.

Wie auch immer, abgesehen von der ganzen ESC Veranstaltung mit der ich schon lange nicht mehr viel anfangen kann, war es ABBAs musikalischem Werk und ihrer Bedeutung einfach nicht würdig. Auch ihr gut gemeinter Gruß als Avatare wurde ihnen nicht gerecht. Dass sie nicht gemeinsam auftreten werden kann ich akzeptieren. Ein Gruß via Live Schaltung zumindest von den musikalischen Köpfen Benny und Björn wäre eine Option gewesen. Immerhin fand der ESC ja auch vor Ort in ABBAs Heimatland statt. 😉 ABBA Forever 💙💛💛💙

I agree with your comments. I knew that they wouldn't actually be there and I'm glad they didn't. Eurovision isn't about the music anymore 😐

it thought that the esc war excellent this year, anyway. i knew (from your videos) that abba won’t be there, so i did not expect them. at least there was some footage from the voyage show, but, as you mentioned, it did not look so good on tv, strangely. what i hated though was how they extinguished alcazar (ended their segment). this was the worst and most disrepectful part of the evening! it is not funny to do that, no matter to whom or rowhat band. and: it is probably better they did not appear in the show personally. it helps to keep the legend alive, those 70s/80s times as we remember them at their peak.

I completely agree with you. Moreover, I'm an ABBA fan from the 'first hour' (since 1976 lol) and I am just still not sure what to make of the avatar thing, even though i can appreciate the innovation of it all.

Dear Bobby, I completely agree with you. The way in which a possible reunion was mentioned, which then did not occur, was incorrect. In any case it is obvious that, as a big ABBA fan, I was disappointed by their lack of participation on the ESC stage, even if they had already announced it some time ago. Perhaps in their country they were never loved as they deserved. In our country we say "no one is a prophet in his homeland!" Even Italy, from where I am writing to you, did not pay ABBA the right tribute at the time. Now we are catching up I was hoping for an intervention from the Swedish royal family to get ABBA to go and receive the "standing ovation" they deserve on the ESC stage. I hope everything is clear, I used "Google translate"

@bobbysbrother137

25 күн бұрын

Wonderful. Thanks for the nice comment. Greetings to Italy!

@cedarcam

25 күн бұрын

Google Translate made your comment clear :) I knew ABBA would not be there and the way they made us think ABBA would be was incorrect. A surprise greeting by the ABBAtars would of been far better

Do you think that Abbatars would look great on VR?

АББА - это бриллиант💖💖💖💖, а то, что я увидела на Евровидении 24 - это..хм..сложно подобрать слова...но бриллиантов там вообще не было😉

I’ve seen Voyage twice and I agree what we saw on TV does not reflect what you see in Abba Arena

So well-expressed - thanks

I agree with you I would not waste my time on this one and I would be devastated and somewhat disappointed, if I was expecting ABBA and had to sit through a show which was in all honesty ….fooling the public. Just my personal thoughts.

To me Eurovision Song Contest has become a circus like Frida I have no time for it,I myself didn't expect ABBA to be at the show but was happy to see the ABBAtars why on earth did those three singer spoil Waterloo it made me cringe. People just expect too much of ABBA as you said Bobby ABBA stated a year ago they weren't going to be there why should they they give us enough some people are never happy. This is my opinion. Thank you Bobby

My euro-pop cup is always half full, never half empty. ALCAZAR are unquestionably Swedish pop royalty in my house.... I think a substantial section of ABBA fans were always going to be underwhelmed, whatever happened on the night of the final. If they didn`t all show up in person to perform a perfect medley of hits with a live band / orchestra, fireworks, lasers and the promise of a 75 date world tour in the summer LOTS of people were going to bitch and moan. The silver lining was the surprise return of ALCAZAR.. But it`s a real shame that the ABBA army are choosing to only focus on the rain cloud.

I have seen ABBA VOYAGE twice already and i am going again in October, to be honest i thought it looked quite good on tv, but nothing compared to seeing it live in the ABBA ARENA ...

Great analysis! 100% agree!

Totally agree with you my friend I couldn’t have put it better myself, I thought though that the angle of the stage made it look better than in the arena but that might have been manipulated for the tv audience.

LOVE The ABBA VOYAGE performance❤

Im not sure i agree. 2024 has shown so far ABBA are intending to do very little for this huge 50th anniversary year. What are SVT to do? The gala was also disappointing. The voyage segment didnt really work for me, and ive seen the show 4 times . We have all dhscussed the rumours and hints here for some time, but it appears to be heading for nowhere. It was a disappointing evening and i don't entirely blame Eurovision.

The whole thing was an insult to ABBA. The Voyage excerpt was good, but then the 3 singers murdering the song... Frankly, the whole show was crap imo. The ridiculous "reunion" of whatever the name was band was a cringing mistake & the almost complete lack of respect for ABBA is unforgivable. Nil points.

Maybe it's because I'm Swedish, but at no point did I expect ABBA to show up on stage. It is so obvious and they have made it clear(for many, many years at this point) that they don't really enjoy public events and being in the public eye anymore. Especially the women in the band; they live rather reclusive lives. They did get together for the whole Voyager thing, but that is a very rare occasion. I wish people would accept this and just MOVE ON! If they don't want to, they don't want to. And the joke about them having no impact on Brighton is a joke - but it's also true! People need to stop acting like artists and music have a bigger impact in this world than they actually do. ABBA has touched the hearts of many people and have had an impact on the Swedish music industry, but if they never existed the world would be pretty much the same. And that is OK! I think the ABBA members are more likely to chuckle a bit and agree with this joke compared to the people in this comment section that are so unneccesary pressed about it.

It was a worthy and justified "rant" BB! It's just like using "clickbait" here on KZread to get views, but then not delivering any of the goods! I would say ABBA were used. It is totally within the realm of reason for them to not do a personal appearance at Eurovision this year or any year. :)

I know people are disappointed, but I thought it was pretty cute... especially Agnetha-avatar telling that story about Björn and his costume. Eurovision has changed A LOT since ABBA won. It's possible that they don't really feel like they belong there anymore, and that they felt the high tech ABBAtars would be a better fit. These days the acts are very...complicated? Modern? Overly technical? I don't know.

@Arkomu

25 күн бұрын

Uhm satanic might be a better word ?

@davidwilding7405

25 күн бұрын

@TheFridaFan I agree. It was OK as a bit of fun. 2 things I'd say about it though. 1. Bobby's Brother is completely right about the tech not working on the TV. It looks so much better in the Arena. 2. Most hard-core fans knew there was 0% chance of the 4 reuniting. But I think most casual fans genuinely believed a reunion was going to happen.

@TheFridaFan

25 күн бұрын

@@davidwilding7405 I also see how the more casual fan could think it somewhat rude. Like if Brittney Spears was supposedly coming somewhere and then just didn't show up, everyone would think she was being high and mighty. But most dedicated ABBA fans realize that they are low key people and don't make that many formal public appearances. I actually think the ABBAtars look pretty great on TV...so going to the arena and seeing them there would probably kill me.

@ingvarjensen1088

25 күн бұрын

​@@TheFridaFanWell, I think, especially for Agnetha, the Abbatars just don't look like the real persons did in the 70s. They are instantly recognisable as fake. Benny and Björn come close, Frida, too, but Agnetha? Just her hair 😊

@RickDanner

25 күн бұрын

@@ingvarjensen1088 serious Agnetha is so beautiful and they managed to make an ugly Agnetha avatar

I loved seeing them on the televisionscreen !!! Their songs are Eternal and they are the most kind pure souls here on Earth! I will not be able to go and see the show with the avatars. So seeing them on the eurosongcontest was so delightful for me.I enjoyed it very much!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Good review!! Thanks! Very poor on Eurovisions part. My first and definitely last watching.

i thought the intervall acts and musical numbers of the semi finals were more interesting than in the final... and yes it was not very much. And i don't know if the television version of the avatars do justic to the concert experience. Some of my friends found the avatars creepy and said now they don't consider going to London. So i don't know... I think it's very obvious their avatars and they move a bit slower than real persons... don't what to think of. But the live of version of Waterloo was ... maybe something for ESC-Fans but not so much for ABBA fans.. But maybe there was more behind it.... there was so much going on behind the scenes and it was all overshadowed by the Israel/Gaza conflict.. so maybe ABBA were not so keen on playing a part... it was clear long ago that there going to be problems in Malmö. ABBA are very cautios to not get mixed into those political topics. So somehow the 50 years of Waterloo somehow fizzled out a bit.

Well Said! I agree with everything you said. I (we) knew that ABBA would not be at Eurovision, but most people were not aware that it would be so. What an awful thing to do to the greater audience, and almost humiliating to Alcazar. You are correct, the actual Voyage show is out of this world. I have traveled from Australia to London 3 times just to see the show (8 times in total) and I am always in doubt, am I actually seeing ABBA live? Why are they 20 years younger than me when they are actually 20 years older. Please keep delivering up this superb content. Many Thanks STEPHEN xx

I'd have been disappointed if they had shown up. That said, I didn't watch the show because of Gaza. Abba made it clear after last year's ESC that they weren't going. Couldn't have been clearer. What's arrogant about that? They owed that husk of a song competition precisely nothing.

It even hurt the reputation of the Voyage show. I was standing very close to the large LED screen and at least they could have shown it in the proper resolution to make them look more real in the Malmö Arena and then on TV. I have seen comments from Eurovision fans saying they will skip going to Voyage because of this clip.

I loved it all, Wonderful show 💞

the ESC is more and more like a Madhouse-Show!

@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536

23 күн бұрын

To much

I love that, even when Bobby's Brother has a "rant", his voice is still as calm and soothing as a lullaby. So Swedish!

Totally agree with you 😢

Without wanting to be too harsh as well, I do wonder if some people live in some parallel universe? Because even on dedicated ABBA fan groups on social media, there were expressions of disappointment of them not appearing in person. It seems that no matter how many times they were told that ABBA would not be there, a proportion still built their expectations up. Maybe if they had appeared, there would still be complaints that they didn't perform. Such is social media in the modern age. Thought the clip from 'Voyage' was fine though maybe it would have been better to let the song continue with just the video montage. There were other nods to ABBA throughout the show and there was the 'pop up' exhibition in Malmo so the anniversary was dealt with sufficiently imo. I'm far more looking forward to the group really being together again to receive their well deserved awards at the end of this month.

@christianoazzuro6711

25 күн бұрын

Totally agree,also expecting a last possible appearence end of the month.

BB, I have seen Voyage 10 times. I was filled with joy to see more of Voyage on TV. Regardless of the critics, I am always grateful for any glimps of my favourite 4. Love you BB. Sending best wishes from Australia.

@toby9999

24 күн бұрын

I'm also in Australia. I've seen Voyage zero times. London is out of the question for me, so every little bit I see on TV or YT is a bonus. Hope the show comes to Austraia while I'm still alive.

You are right. I was outraged. The MCs were terrible. The jokes that were written for them, often targeted at a specific group that seems to have taken over the show were at best extremely weak. As if on purpose they teased that ABBA had agreed to something and then they bring out some group I never heard of. The actual tribute segment was just sad. Those ABBAtars look awfully plastic in 2D. I am sure it does not compare to the arena experience in London, but this was a terrible idea. I would have been happy with a video message and an ABBA montage of original clips. This was a disgrace, fitting for a show that once was a family affair, now descending into a mess with naked people on stage and really questionable acts. The whole fiasco with the disqualification was just an added punch to the misery.

Let’s hope it spurs on people to go to see Voyage. The show made Liverpool’s Eurovision look spectacular in reflection. It was suited to taking the footfall of people, the atmosphere, close and easy accessible hotels, great transport routes all organised to the Eurovision Events, the city was vibrant. A hard act to follow. Nemo would love Eurovision 2025 to come from his home town but I doubt it would work.

Totalmente de acuerdo.Yo tb me sentí decepcionado.Esperaba realmente una gran sorpresa que no se produjo.Una pena

Great rant from you BB😂😂😂!! I agree with you that the avatars don't work on a TV screen, it didn't do them a favour as regards getting people excited to go to see Voyage, I think. They really did look not so real and like Sims, from close-up, but luckily it wasn't too long. But it was funny and well linked to the other three performing the song. The backing sound definitely was the live band from Voyage, so it gave it a different live touch in the Eurovision show and not just a playback sensation. I appreciated that. But I wasn't let down by their teasing about a band beginning with A. Maybe a little too long but honestly anybody getting excited about it would have had a year to know it wasn't going to happen, I believe. I'm sorry you were disappointed with Swedish TV's attempt BB, hope it didn't waste your enjoyment of the whole competition. Thanks again!!😊😊🎉🎉

I do partially agree with you and the ranting was somewhat in it’s place. I didn’t have high hopes that ABBA would show up at ESC. But I had imagined that there would have been done something differently to pay a tribute to ABBA (and someone can have some hope of course). To be honest it was a bit of a bummer that the finale was a kind of a little disaster, because of all the political things that somehow got involved. But apart from that I did like the tribute to a certain extent. I did like that ESC referenced The Voyage Show and that there was a little throwback to Waterloo from ‘74’. What I disliked was the fact that after a short while three of the former winners continued the song. I didn’t like the performance and I was thinking that this didn’t really do justice to ABBA. They could have better let a really good ABBA tribute band cover the song after the 1974 footage was shown (I was thinking about The Waterloo tribute band from Sweden with Katja and Camilla for example). Or they could have shown more footage of their career + some of the other big/ lesser known hits/ songs. In that way the tribute would have made a bigger impact.

Yes I think the Abbatars didn’t look real on tv, but watching them on stage standing at front in the dance section, it was Abba I was watching. Gave me cold shivers….. Criticism here in Australia that the Abbatars looked creepy, asking does it look better watching the Abba Voyage show, my answer yes it does.. Shame on those who made it out to be more than it was going to be, as BB said, we all were made aware that Abba themselves would not appear & an appearance by the Abbatars was probably on the cards.. It was all hype by the organisers & tv channels there to get bigger ratings with there ‘tease’. Shame on them. We all know Abba had little to do with the controversy & I personally thought it was a nice tribute to Abba. Great video BB, couldn’t have agreed with you more…

You made some really great points in this video, BB! So I, like I’m sure many other people, took the bait when a potential *thing* with ABBA was teased to hell in the wake of the Eurovision final. I even bought a subscription to Peacock, which was going to stream the contest live. I should’ve actually known better-ABBA, after all, is a democracy. They’ve made perfectly clear on numerous times that if three people say yes and one says no, it’s no. Period. Benny was reluctant from the very beginning, and he’s a tough cookie to be persuaded. I really do agree with you that the whole Alcazar thing was a joke that didn’t land. It sure didn’t land with me. I wasn’t expecting ABBA to show up out of nowhere dressed to the nines, but that whole bit of “here’s a band, a Swedish band, a Swedish disco band whose name starts with the letter A…” was not funny. God bless Malin and Petra but I was so irritated when that happened. So much so that I wanted to turn off the show completely. I invested too much of my time in it so I had to see it all the way through, and although this whole experience was a bitter pill to swallow, I’m glad I did watch it till the end because the Swiss did deserve the landslide win! Back to ABBA and the debacle…I also agree with you that the Voyage experience does not translate well in TV. It is made to be experienced on the ABBA Arena and nowhere else. While I’m happy to see an official excerpt of it, the closeups probably gave folks a feel of “this isn’t real”, which then turned into a letdown. Having gone to the Arena myself last year, I actually thought this Waterloo bit was lovely. They cracked at each other, and it preceded the climax of the show’s finale, which by then, everyone was ready for. The show is so spectacular that I need to see it again…just not on TV. Overall, yet again, I concur that SVT and the EBU are to blame for this fiasco. I wouldn’t necessarily put the blame on ABBA because they never said they’d be back…although by the looks of their TikTok prior to the final, that must’ve gave fans too much hope for a bit that was, in your wise words, bound to fail.

I absolutely loved seeing the clip from Voyage, and I got really mad when I saw that people were angry about it on social media. After seeing this video, I realize most of what made me angry about the people complaining was them misplacing the blame and saying it was all ABBA’s fault. And it wasn’t- Swedish TV screwed up with the presentation of the Voyage clip, so the blame is on them. But a lot of people I saw on social media didn’t get that and blamed ABBA, which was what made me angry about their comments at first. I absolutely loved the Voyage clip, and I loved watching Eurovision for the first time otherwise, but the negativity misdirected towards ABBA just made me upset.