Abba’s Eurovision win to be celebrated at Brighton Dome
Savannah Nicholson —
The 50th anniversary of Abba's Eurovision win will be celebrated at Brighton Dome.
The Swedish pop band were catapulted to international fame when they won the 19th Eurovision Song Contest with their performance of Waterloo in the Dome’s concert hall in 1974.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog (Image: PA)
A plaque will be unveiled on the venue’s exterior on April 4 at noon to cement its place in pop history.
The installation of the plaque coincides with the recent reopening of Brighton Dome’s Grade I and Grade II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre following a major six-year refurbishment.
The project included substantial restoration and upgrades to both spaces.
Eurovision Brighton Dome Concert Hall (Image: Frederick Wackett)
An interactive digital timeline has also been installed, allowing visitors to explore Brighton Dome’s heritage – including the Abba win – plus new dressing rooms include one named Waterloo.
On April 6, Eurovision royalty will once again grace the concert hall stage with Gold, an evening of Abba’s greatest hits plus music from the Eurovision songbook hosted by Sweden’s 1999 Eurovision winner Charlotte Perelli. Performers will include the UK’s 1997 winner Katrina, of Katrina and the Waves, and 2000 entrant Nicki French, Irish winner Linda Martin and more, all backed by Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.
ABBA at Brighton Dome (Image: PA)
In the Studio Theatre, Abba-fuelled party Dynamite Waterloo will bring together Brighton entertainer Boogaloo Stu, DJ Dynamite Sal, dance troupe Sparklemotion and cabaret singer Dolly Rocket. An afternoon of back-to-back Abba hits, plus singing and dancing, the event will also feature cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat and sax-playing drag queen Snow White Trash.
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ABBA in front of Brighton Dome's Corn Exchange (Image: Argus Photographic Archive)
Throughout the weekend, families can attend craft workshops including one which will see people shown how to make and animate table-top puppets based on Abba.
Each session will end with a group Abba-themed dance-athon for participants and their puppets.
Andrew Comben, chief executive at Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: “The city of Brighton and Hove is eclectic and inclusive in its creativity – much like Eurovision – and Brighton Dome has been at its cultural heart for more than 200 years. It is fitting that, as we celebrate the reopening of the restored and upgraded Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, we commemorate the moment that cemented Brighton Dome’s place in pop history and made the venue an iconic space throughout the UK and beyond.”
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24185676.abbas-eurovision-win-celebrated-brighton-dome/
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Abba’s Eurovision 50th anniversary to be celebrated at host venue
UK
Abba’s Eurovision 50th anniversary to be celebrated at host venue
The Swedish superstars won the event with Waterloo on April 6 1974 at Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall.
Abba congratulate each other in Brighton Abba celebrate in Brighton (PA/PA)
By Anahita Hossein-Pour, PA
March 14, 2024 at 11:49AM GMT
The 50th anniversary of Swedish pop group Abba’s famous win at the Eurovision Song Contest will be celebrated at the venue where they found international fame.
Abba won the European music competition with their smash hit Waterloo on April 6 1974 at Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall.
Fifty years later, the seaside city landmark will honour its part in pop history by unveiling a plaque outside the building.
Swedish pop group ABBA at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton in which they won with their song Waterloo. From left to right: Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Falkstog, Annifrid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson. Swedish pop group ABBA at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton in which they won with their song Waterloo. From left to right: Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Falkstog, Annifrid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson. (PA/PA Archive/PA Images)
The commemoration comes as the Brighton Dome’s Grade I and Grade II-listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre have reopened after a six-year refurbishment.
Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival chief executive Andrew Comben said: “Fifty years since their Eurovision win, Abba’s music continues to bring people together across the world and we’re thrilled that Brighton Dome has played a part in their story.
“The city of Brighton & Hove is eclectic and inclusive in its creativity – much like Eurovision – and Brighton Dome has been at its cultural heart for more than 200 years.
“It is fitting that, as we celebrate the reopening of the restored and upgraded Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, we commemorate the moment that cemented Brighton Dome’s place in pop history and made the venue an iconic space throughout the UK and beyond.”
Eurovision Brighton Dome Concert Hall setup Eurovision being set up at Brighton Dome Concert Hall where ABBA won in 1974.
The plaque unveiling will take place on April 4, followed by an evening of Abba’s greatest hits on April 6 with performers including the UK’s 1997 Eurovision winner Katrina of Katrina and the Waves.
Family craft workshops will run throughout the weekend with each session ending with an Abba-themed dance-a-thon.
Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange and main concert hall were originally built as a stable block and riding house in 1803 by the Prince Regent, Prince George, to complement his seaside palace, Brighton Pavilion.
Brighton Dome became an entertainment space in 1867 and has hosted other international stars including David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Beyonce.
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