ABBA The Concert – Arrival from Sweden Lights Up Van Wezel
The Glitter, Groove, and Glory of a Tribute Done Right
Last night at Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the time machine was set to “full glam.” The sequins sparkled, the synthesizers shimmered, and the unmistakable sound of ABBA filled the room. No, it wasn’t 1976—and no, the original four weren’t onstage—but you wouldn’t have known the difference. Arrival from Sweden, the internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute band, delivered a show that wasn’t just a performance—it was a full-blown celebration of one of pop music’s most beloved groups.
ABBA The Concert: Arrival from Sweden is as close as you’ll get to the real deal. Endorsed by ABBA’s original producers and armed with exact replicas of their stage costumes, this band didn’t just hit the notes—they captured the soul. From the moment the first piano chords of “Waterloo” blasted through the venue, the audience was in their hands.
And what an audience it was—multi-generational, energized, and ready to sing. You had die-hard fans who likely wore out vinyl copies of Voulez-Vous, young couples discovering the band through Mamma Mia, and even a few glitter-loving grandpas in bell-bottoms. It was a disco democracy, and everyone was welcome.
The band kicked things off with energy and precision, setting a vibrant tone with “Waterloo,” the song that launched ABBA to Eurovision fame. The vocalists—channeling Agnetha and Frida with uncanny authenticity—nailed the harmonies and emotional nuances that make ABBA songs so universally loved. Their voices were bright and clear, and never once did it feel like imitation for imitation’s sake. This was pure reverence with polish.
“Take a Chance on Me” brought out the playful side of the band, complete with audience participation and infectious charm. “Knowing Me, Knowing You” leaned into the bittersweet ache that defines ABBA’s more introspective hits, and it landed beautifully. Then came “Fernando”—yes, the lasers and soft red lighting kicked in, and yes, people swayed like it was a campfire sing-along on a Swedish mountainside. It was magical.
But it was “The Winner Takes It All” that brought the house down. This is the kind of song that walks a tightrope between vulnerability and vocal acrobatics, and the lead vocalist didn’t miss a step. It was heartfelt, controlled, and powerful enough to give you chills. You could hear a pin drop—until the crowd erupted in applause, giving one of the night’s many well-deserved standing ovations.
And let’s talk band. Backed by top-tier musicians who played with joy and exactitude, the rhythm section kept the night bouncing along while the keyboardist conjured that unmistakable 70s synth magic that’s so essential to ABBA’s sound. Every instrument, every detail, felt crisp and dialed in.
The visuals were no afterthought, either. The costume changes—oh, the costume changes! White jumpsuits, glittering capes, platform boots, and all the glorious camp you could want. It was theatrical but never cheesy, dramatic but never distracting. Each look matched a musical moment and added to the time-warp joy of it all.
By the time they launched into “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” the crowd was on its feet, dancing in the aisles, phones in the air, totally immersed. And of course, “Dancing Queen” brought the night to its apex. If there’s a more perfect song to unite an audience across age, background, and disco experience—I haven’t heard it.
What made this show so special wasn’t just the technical excellence (which was abundant), but the emotional generosity. Arrival from Sweden doesn’t play ABBA—they channel ABBA. They remind us what it feels like to be lost in a great song, to be lifted by melody, and to be part of a crowd singing with abandon, maybe a little off-key, but with hearts wide open.
So, if you ever get the chance to catch this show—take it. Take a chance on them, if you will. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who only recently discovered the magic of “Super Trouper,” you’ll leave with a smile on your face, a groove in your step, and a renewed belief in the power of pop.
Verdict: Five glitter boots out of five.
Arrival from Sweden doesn’t just revive ABBA—they celebrate them. And lucky for us, they bring us along for the ride.
