It was a night of knowing you, knowing who. It was also a night of super troupers suddenly transforming into Dancing Queens as Sam, Kelly, Murcus and Toby took revellers back to the 70s and 80s with their tribute of ABBA songs.
Formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ABBA ruled the music world, their almost 200 song catalogue topping charts. And on Friday and Saturday, at Somewhere Else Restaurant in Naguru, the group’s tribute act known as ABBA Re-Bjorn, rocked Kampala.
When the announcement was made that ABBA was in town, most expected the original members. They were not disappointed in the group that has covered them for years.
And so, they patiently waited for hours as DJ King Xavier played oldies and dancing away to music from Ace of Base, Billy Ocean, Kool &The Gang, Commodores.
Then at 9:28pm, BBA Re-Bjorn stormed the stage, opening their act with Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, a song that hit No. 1 in Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, and Switzerland, while reaching the Top 3 in Austria, West Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Norway.
They then went on to perform Super Trouper, Knowing Me Knowing You, Honey Honey, Angel Eyes, Chiquita, Fernando, What’s the Name of the Game, and SOS, before taking a break.
At 10:40pm, they returned in different outfits and performed Lay All Your Love… Voulez Vous, Money Money Money, Confetti, Does Your Mama Know, Dancing Queen, Thank You for the Music, Waterloo, Take A Chance on Me.
The event that was sponsored by Nation Media Group and I&M Bank saw full attendance with diverse generations dancing the night away in a major throw-back concert.
The production of the event was steered by Fenon Events who were in charge of the stage, sound, and lighting. The events powerhouse was at its best as the band appreciated their good work.
“Thank you for the good sound,” said Kelly after their performance. The mood was enhanced by the creative setup of the venue, which included an open space for revellers to dance, along with disco balls that created a retro atmosphere.
The band was very interactive with the crowd, asking some members in the audience to participate in singing the chorus of Voulez-Vous, and even sang happy birthday songs for the birthday babies in the house, with most of the audience donning ABBA-inspired attire, such as groovy suits, bellbottom jeans, or disco-ready spandex catsuits.
The ABBA Re-Björn concert was an unforgettable night of music, fun, and entertainment, and music lovers in Uganda had a concert of a lifetime.