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Ashlyn Chak

With hits such as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia”, Abba were, and still are, one of the biggest music acts in pop history, even though the band were only active for about a decade.
The band comprised two couples: Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
However, both couples separated, in 1980 and 1981 respectively, resulting in a dynamic shift in the Swedish group.
Since their break-up in 1982, Abba tribute shows have popped up around the world to celebrate the supergroup and revisit their songs for old and new fans.

One of the most long-lasting and well-known is Mania – The Abba Tribute, first performed in 1999 in the UK.
The tribute concert has since been performed more than 3,000 times in 35 countries, many of which sold out.
Supergroup Abba singer makes comeback as solo artist
The Abba success story began in 1974 when the band performed the song “Waterloo” at the Eurovision Song Contest and won Sweden its first trophy in the world’s biggest music competition.
With 2024 marking 50 years since the Swedish band’s Eurovision win, the touring production is coming to Hong Kong for two shows on Saturday, January 20.
The Abba tribute concerts form part of “Live at the Big Top” at the AIA Carnival, a series of live entertainment performances at the carnival on the Central Harbourfront between January 17 and 24.
The two-hour show will feature four lead performers and a three-piece live band.

One of the performers is Tasmin Stewart, who plays Fältskog. She tells the Post she had wondered if “the magic for this music” would dissipate as the audience inevitably ages and stops going to the theatre.
“But the amazing thing with Abba is that a new generation of people have [been introduced] because of the movie franchise.”
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the 2008 musical romcom Mamma Mia! was based on the 1999 eponymous stage musical written by Catherine Johnson, which in turn was based on Abba’s songs and named after the group’s 1975 hit single “Mamma Mia”.

Stewart is glad that “the theatres are still packed out” with mature audience members who remember Abba from way back when, as well as younger people who appreciate the songs despite not having experienced the supergroup in its heyday.
In the years after their Eurovision win, the group continuously topped charts worldwide with bestselling albums, and were one of the first musical acts from a non-English-speaking country to achieve such consistent success in English-speaking countries.
The show opens with a nod to Eurovision as Abba’s breakthrough moment and gradually builds towards the crescendo of “Dancing Queen”. The performers change into a simpler, classic, all-black look for “Money, Money, Money”.

Act two is “a representation of the last-ever tour they did together”, Stewart says, with mesmerising costumes in white and gold, including “gorgeous gold-sequinned capes”.
“The energy is off the scale.” She adds: “From act two to the end, everybody is just partying and loving the music – it’s amazing.”
“In some shows, you have to pretend the audience isn’t there, whereas with our show, it’s all about connecting with the audience throughout and breaking down that wall.”
The audience can expect all of their favourite Abba hits performed in a respectful and energetic way
Todd Littlewood, producer of Mania – The Abba Tribute
Producer Todd Littlewood has been involved with Mania for more than 20 years. He says there are about 200 shows each year in different time zones and languages.
“Producing the show is interesting, crazy, beautiful, frustrating, time-consuming, rewarding and exciting all at once,” he says.
Still, Littlewood is looking forward to coming to Hong Kong. “We love performing in Asia – the audience can expect all of their favourite Abba hits performed in a respectful and energetic way with beautiful costumes, impressive production values and an ‘Abba-solutely’ fabulous time for all ages.”


Mania – The ABBA Tribute, two shows at 4pm and 8pm on January 20.
Live at the Big Top, AIA Carnival, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. January 17 to January 24. Tickets start at HK$100.


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Music

‘The energy is off the scale’: Mania – The Abba Tribute show is coming to Hong Kong for 2 performances

Mania - The ABBA Tribute at a West End show. Photo: Mania - The ABBA Tribute/AIA Carnival

Swedish supergroup Abba comprised two couples: Agnetha Fältskog (left) and Björn Ulvaeus (right), and Benny Andersson (top) and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Photo: SCMPost

“Mania – The Abba Tribute” has been performed more than 3,000 times since 1999. Photo: Mania – The Abba Tribute/AIA Carnival

A “Mania – The Abba Tribute” performance in London’s West End. Photo: Mania – The Abba Tribute/AIA Carnival

“Mania – The Abba Tribute” features many Abba hits and plenty of costume changes. Photo: Mania – The Abba Tribute/AIA Carnival

Hong Kong Cantopop singer Moon Tang on her rise to fame, connecting with her fans, and headlining Future is Now at the AIA Carnival

Hong Kong YouTube sensation and Cantopop star Moon Tang. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong YouTube sensation and Cantopop star Moon Tang talks about playing intimate gigs, and her coming appearance with Kiri T and Nancy Kwai at Future is Now, at the AIA Carnival. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Moon Tang will be performing at Future is Now, at the AIA Carnival in Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

‘Meaningful to me’: Hong Kong singer-songwriter JNYBeatz on setting up the city’s first beatmaking school, and his musical journey

Busy Hong Kong singer, songwriter and producer JNYBeatz (above) talks about crossing genres and inspiring new producers in his latest project, Vision Music, Hong Kong’s first beatmaking school. Photo: JNYBeatz

Singer-songwriter Jason Yeung Chun, aka JNYBeatz, at Vision Music, Hong Kong’s first beatmaking school. Photo: JNYBeatz

Music-making equipment at Vision Music, which starts classes in January. Photo: JNYBeatz

A vocal booth at Vision Music. Photo: JNYBeatz

Who is Leon Lai, one of the ‘Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop’? Actor, singer, father and one of the most well-liked celebrities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong actor/singer Leon Lai Ming. 

Leon Lai Ming, one of “Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop”, has been in show business for more than 35 years – but what else did you know? Photo: A Music

Lai as a contestant in the New Talent Singing Awards, held by broadcaster TVB and Capital Artists in 1986. Photo: SCMP

Lai at an interview with the Post in 1992. Photo: SCMP

Lai (right) and Andy Lau Tak-wah at a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in 1995. Photo: SCMP

Lai at The Music is Live concert at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, in 1999. Photo: SCMP

Leon Lai in a still from “Fallen Angels” (1995).

(From left) Lai, Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai attend a blessing ceremony for the film “Infernal Affairs III” at Majestic Hotel, Nathan Road, in 2003. Photo: SCMP

Lai at an interview with the Post in 2004. Photo: SCMP

Lai participates in the fundraising event “Jogging for Love 30” for Project Orbis in 1993. Photo: SCMP

Lai performs during Leon 30th Anniversary Random Love Songs in 4D Live in 2016. 

Lifestyle

Entertainment

Culture

Swedish supergroup Abba was one of the biggest pop groups in the 1970s, before breaking up in 1982, although their name lives on in films and stage shows
Mania – The Abba Tribute, one of the longest running tribute shows, will be in Hong Kong for two shows. The Post talks to its cast and crew


Abba was one of the biggest pop groups in the 1970s, before breaking up in 1982. It did inspire films and tribute shows, including Mania – The Abba Tribute, which is coming to Hong Kong for two shows.


‘The energy is off the scale’: Mania – The Abba Tribute show is coming to Hong Kong for 2 performances

Swedish supergroup Abba was one of the biggest pop groups in the 1970s, before breaking up in 1982, although their name lives on in films and stage shows Mania – The Abba Tribute, one of the longest running tribute shows, will be in Hong Kong for two shows. The Post talks to its cast and crew

Swedish supergroup Abba was one of the biggest pop groups in the 1970s, before breaking up in 1982, although their name lives on in films and stage shows

Mania – The Abba Tribute, one of the longest running tribute shows, will be in Hong Kong for two shows. The Post talks to its cast and crew