ABBA, of all people, are planning to tour as holograms

Yes, ABBA.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo

You're probably guilty of knowing all the words to "Dancing Queen."

It's why the Swedish pop group is planning a global tour, more than three decades after their last official tour before disbanding in 1982. But they won't be there in person, despite reuniting for a performance in 2016 that no one managed to record.

Instead, they'll be recreated into "digital avatars" for a virtual reality tour in 2019, something which was hinted on their Facebook page last October. This, despite all members of ABBA being very much alive.

"It's perfect. We can be on stage while I’m home walking the dogs," ABBA's Benny Andersson, told the Herald Sun.

"I don't have to leave my house. If this really works there’ll be a lot of artists wanting to do the same thing, even artists who are still young and still touring. It’s a very interesting project."

So far, the use of holograms for musical performances have been for reserved for artists who are dead.

It all kicked off from that Coachella Tupac performance back in 2012, with a Michael Jackson follow-up at the Billboard Awards in 2015. However, in this year's French elections, presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon appeared as a hologram to speak simultaneously at seven rallies.

According to the Herald Sun, the band members of ABBA have had their measurements taken over the past year, and the hologram's end result will resemble the band at their peak in the late-1970s.

The quartet will be projected in front of a live band, with the vocals stripped from the records and audio from their 1977 Australian tour.

"It’ll be like you're in 1977, with a live band, live backing vocals, a great set design with lights and sound, everything will be like a live concert," Andersson added.

Considering singer Agnetha Faltskog's noted fear of flying, it's certainly a worthy (and economical) option of touring in this case. But we're not too excited about it potentially replacing live touring.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Apple is planning something big for its 50th birthday
Apple logo

Finn Wolfhard wants to tour with his indie band in 'SNL' skit
Man in bright orange jacket and white tracksuit scolds teenager sitting on couch next to mom

Ticketmaster is selling $1,000 Harry Styles tickets. Fans are not having it.
Harry Styles performing on stage

Stray Kids go full throttle in exclusive 'Maniac' clip from 'The dominATE Experience'
K-pop group Stray Kids stand on stage

How to watch 'Love Island: All Stars' online for free
Love Island promotional shot

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!