Famously, 18 ABBA songs were used in the sterling musical films ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!’. Top hits such as Dancing Queen, Take A Chance on Me, Knowing Me Knowing You, and none other than Mamma Mia, reigned over European pop charts in the 1970s. 

  Now, more than 35 years since their disbandment, the Swedish ‘Super Trouper’ sensation is getting the band back together! They are set to release five new tracks in 2021 as the ‘ABBAtars’ embark on an unconventional tour.

  The shows will feature holograms of the artists–who were each photographed from “all possible angles,” described songwriter Björn Ulvaeus in an interview with The Times. He elaborates on the process: “They made us grimace in front of cameras. They painted dots on our faces, [and] they measured our heads.” 

  Sanderson Teacher, Jennifer Bennett, reacts to the holographic production: “I’m all about live music. My thought is if you’re going to pay to see somebody in concert, the idea and experience is so much richer when it is live. If it is just recorded—ehhh.”

  Despite the concerts’ lack of sentient performers, there is still much to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed about. The avatar promenade will showcase their five new songs–two of which are titled “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down”.  

“One of them is a pop tune, very danceable,” detailed Ulvaeus (2018). “The other is more timeless, more reflective, that is all I will say. It is Nordic sad, but happy at the same time.”

  The protracted gap between the breakup and the reunion has not faded the world’s passion and avidity for the supergroup. The famed ‘Mamma Mia!’ franchise has brought even more doting admiration to the work of the four novas. 

  “It’s a fun movie: it’s summer; it’s a wedding; it’s a reunion. [Mamma Mia!] brings all that ABBA music back up in the most exciting way,” expresses Bennett. “They used songs like Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You, and Take a Chance on Me, especially because they were so popular at the time. That kind of reignited their popularity.”

  The buoyancy and exuberance that oozes from the harmonious motion pictures triggers an undying love for the melodies that enrich the films. Bennett elaborates: “It generates nostalgia, and nostalgia is a very powerful emotion for people”

  Whether it be the generational progression or the 70s flashbacks—the films permeate a cheerful and reflective vibrancy that leave devotees insatiable. 

  Fans are just as excited, if not more thrilled, about the possibility of a trilogy coming down the road with speculations about a potential Mamma Mia 3 film. All anyone has to say is Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!

  While nothing has been officially announced yet, producer Judy Craymer mused about the potential threqueel in June 2020: “I think one day there will be another film, because there’s meant to be a trilogy, you see.” She teases, “I know Universal would like me to do it.”

  The co-creator revealed that while she was close to saying “I do, I do, I do, I do, I do” to a third film, the current global situation put a kink in her plan. Of course, that doesn’t stop fans from sanguinely predicting the release date: July 2022. 

  There’s much to anticipate and look forward to as this year progresses. In addition to the new ABBA masterpieces, the Kalokairian Fandom is rocking its heels to hear about what Sophie, little Donnie Sheridan-Rhymand, and the rest of the family will be up to in the, hopefully, near future.