"Sydney, Melbourne in rival talks to host ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ concert"

 

 

The winner takes it all: Sydney, Melbourne in rival talks to host ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ hologram concert

ABBA’s blockbuster Voyage concert may be in line for a voyage of its own – to Australia – with arms of the NSW and Victorian governments in talks to bring the hologram show to Sydney or Melbourne.

But Sydney could miss out as the new state government points to mounting debt and reorients its arts and culture policy toward growing local talent rather than sugar hits from big, one-off events.

The virtual concert was created by the legendary Swedish pop group using lifelike 3D renders of the original band members, and has played to rave reviews at the purpose-built ABBA Arena in London since May last year.

It is booked to stay in the UK capital until May 2024, but earlier this year, Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge said plans were in development to tour the show internationally.

Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park is now involved in a bid to bring Voyage to Sydney. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous because of the confidential process, said a custom tent could be erected on the former showground site where ABBA famously played in 1977.

The price tag was said to be in the realm of $50 million to $80 million, and could be shared among the promoter, Entertainment Quarter and the government. While the sources said Destination NSW was keen to bring Voyager to Sydney, it was not clear the state government was keen to provide cash.

Arts Minister John Graham said the ABBA production had not yet been assessed by the NSW government. “We always want to ensure NSW gets the best shows coming to town,” he said.

“I note that the previous government left a $100 million hole in the state significant event fund when they left office – ‘money, money, money’ that would have helped us put on more events.”

According to the aforementioned sources, the Victorian government is also trying to lure the Voyage show, and was eyeing Melbourne Park (home of the Australian Open) as the location.

Asked to confirm that information, a Victorian government spokesperson said: “Victoria has the most enviable major events calendar of any state, and we are always looking at opportunities to bring the biggest and best events here.”

Australia would be a natural destination for a Voyage world tour, given ABBA’s unprecedented popularity here in the 1970s. About 25,000 people famously watched Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid perform in torrential rain at Sydney Showground on March 3, 1977.

That tour was promoted by Paul Dainty of TEG Dainty, who was contacted for comment on Friday about the Voyage show, but had not responded by deadline.

It was not certain the show would only go to either Sydney or Melbourne, but sources familiar with the nature, logistics and cost of the show suggested that was likely.

The Entertainment Quarter is leased to a consortium, Carsingha, chaired by Sydney businessman Tony Shepherd and backed by financiers including Gerry Harvey, Katie Page, Mark Carnegie and John Singleton. The site’s future remains in limbo with Carsingha seeking a longer lease and permission for a massive redevelopment. The group was contacted for comment.

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/the-winner-takes-it-all-sydney-melbourne-in-rival-talks-to-host-abba-s-voyage-hologram-concert-20230707-p5dmkf.html