ABBA Plan ‘Previously Unimagined’ Virtual Reality Experience

ABBA have teamed with Simon Fuller for a digital experience that would employ “previously unimagined” technology, including virtual reality. Photo: Beeld en Geluidwiki/Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 3.0

It’s not quite an ABBA reunion, but it’s virtually the same thing: The long-dormant Swedish hitmakers have teamed with American Idol creator Simon Fuller for a digital experience that would employ “previously unimagined” technology, including virtual reality.

ABBA and Fuller announced the project Wednesday, promising “a groundbreaking venture that will utilize the very latest in digital and virtual-reality technology … which will enable a new generation of fans to see, hear and feel Abba in a way previously unimagined,” The Guardian reports.

“We’re inspired by the limitless possibilities of what the future holds and are loving being a part of creating something new and dramatic here ”“ a time machine that captures the essence of who we were. And are,” ABBA’s Benny Andersson said in a statement.

Singer Frida Lyngstad added, “Our fans around the world are always asking us to reform and so I hope this new ABBA creation will excite them as much as it excites me!”

The group promises to share more details regarding the project in 2017, with the experience itself scheduled to launch in 2018.

According to Billboard, Fuller has been investing in virtual reality companies in recent years ”“ as opposed to the industry’s trend toward holograms ”“ and approached ABBA about partnering on a project that would utilize the emerging technology; video games systems like Playstation and Nintendo have recently unveiled VR systems.

“The creativity and ideas flowing from the members of ABBA over the past few months have filled me with great excitement,” Fuller said. “We are exploring a new technological world, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence at the forefront, that will allow us to create new forms of entertainment and content we couldn’t have previously imagined.”

A virtual reality experience is likely the closest fans will ever come to an ABBA reunion for numerous reasons, including Agnetha Faltskog’s fear of flying. However, the quartet fanned fans’ hopes in June when they reunited onstage for the first time in 30 years to perform “Me and I” at a private gala in Stockholm.