ABBA The Concert transported the audience at Shippensburg University’s Luhrs Performing Arts Center back to a time when platform shoes, bell-bottomed pants and smooth tunes ruled the music industry.

The original ABBA group was founded by two married couples in 1972. Swedish group members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad combined the first letters of their first names and dubbed themselves ABBA.

ABBA The Concert pays tribute to the popular band in every aspect imaginable. Their outfits, faces, hair and music are almost identical to those of the original group.

ABBA The Concert opened up the Luhrs Center’s performance on Wednesday, April 17, with the popular hit “Summer Night City.” They took the stage wearing white outfits with dazzling gold and silver rhinestones. Their high energy soon had the audience clapping along.

ABBA The Concert continued the night by introducing their band.

“We have the best job in the world. We’re ready to have a huge ABBA party tonight. Are you with us?” said the Ulvaeus impersonator.

They moved on to performing well-known ABBA songs that have been featured in the musical “Mamma Mia.”

After singing “Money, Money, Money,” they urged the audience to become more involved with the performance.

“We want to share ABBA love with you guys. Is that OK? Feel free to sing along, jump up and down in the aisles or whatever!” said the Ulvaeus impersonator.

ABBA The Concert even featured one of ABBA’s original saxophone players. The musician had recorded quite a few songs with ABBA, according to the members of ABBA The Concert.

The concert continued with tunes such as “Knowing Me, Knowing You” and “Why Did It Have to Be Me?”
The mood of the audience sobered quickly when the group brought up the events that had occurred earlier in the week.

“We were in Boston two days ago, some of us only blocks away from the bombs. We send our thoughts and love back to Boston,” said the Lyngstad impersonator.

They paid tribute to the Boston Marathon bombing victims and dedicated their next number, “Chiquitita,” to everyone who had been affected by it.

After intermission, the band emerged wearing tight blue body suits that shined under the lights of the stage.

They started off the second set with ABBA’s popular hit “Waterloo,” which had the audience clapping and singing along.

They continued their “Mamma Mia” tribute with “S.O.S.” and of course the namesake, “Mamma Mia.”
Karol Minnick, an audience member, said she particularly enjoyed “Mamma Mia.”

“‘Mamma Mia’ was my favorite part because it’s their best known song,” Minnick said.

Audience member Crystal Dailey said a more somber song had been her favorite part of the performance.

“‘Memories’ was probably my favorite since it’s nostalgic for us. It brings back childhood memories. Our aunt introduced them to us and we loved them,” Dailey said.

For the last two songs, ABBA the Concert had everyone in the audience stand up and sing along.

They ended the show with “Does your Mother Know” and one of ABBA’s most popular hits, “Dancing Queen,” which was of course accompanied by a shining disco ball.

The audience continued clapping for the group even after they left the stage, which soon brought them back for an encore. ABBA the Concert finished off the night with “Thank You For The Music” and some words of wisdom for the audience:

“And remember: Peace, love and ABBA.”

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