When we think of ABBA, one of the first things that come to people’s minds is the band’s flamboyant and avant-garde wardrobe.
Reportedly, in the early days, the bold clothing choices often worn by the band whilst performing on stage were always designed to be eye-catching and out of the ordinary. This was not only to bring publicity and attention to the band, who were the one of the first pop groups to emerge from a non english-speaking country, but also to allow the cost of the clothing to be deducted from tax, as it was clear to see that the striking clothing was not for everyday use.
Over the years, the band has experimented with many different fashion styles and techniques, with particularly notable pieces including jumpsuits, metallic high knee boots, floral kimonos and stripy ponchos. The genius behind the design of most of these outrageous outfits is a designer and teacher known as Karl Owe Sandström, along with his partner Lars Wigenius in the firm Artist Dressing.
During the band’s 1979 European/North American tour, Sandström worked alongside stage concept designer Rune Söderqvist to develop one of ABBA’s most iconic costumes – the spandex catsuits. The colours used for them were White, Blue, indigo and Purple, and according to Sandström, they looked at “Several hundred shades of those colours” before sending fabric swatches around the world to check that the colours used would display correctly on the various TV systems. Staging wise, behind the group stood several giant , triangular shapes, resembling icebergs, which gave the performance an icy nordic feeling and reminded the audience of the band’s Scandinavian origins. This design later inspired the logo for the band’s record label “Polar”, founded by the manager of the band, Stig Anderson.
As an ABBA tribute Band, our favourites arethe Spandex Catsuits worn by Agnetha and Anni-Frid (and Bjorn!) throughout all of their performances of the '79 tour, and have been replicated by many others including Madonna, who paid tribute to the band during her performance of songs “Erotica/La Isla Bonita” on her 2006 “Confessions” tour.
Today, these very costumes can be found on display at the ABBA museum and also the alternative white themed versions appear on silicon models of the four members, which were flown in by helicopter in 2015 after the group were added to Sweden’s music hall of fame in the previous year. Thisartistry of a band whose costumes and concept design was way ahead of their time are still loved and replicated to this day.
FAQs
Wear whatever you like! Sparkles and sequins are good but plenty of people are in jeans/casual wear. Some go all out in ABBA costumes.
Did ABBA wear spandex? ›
During the band's 1979 European/North American tour, Sandström worked alongside stage concept designer Rune Söderqvist to develop one of ABBA's most iconic costumes – the spandex catsuits.
Why did ABBA have crazy costumes? ›
According to Abba: The Official Photo Book, published to mark 40 years since they won Eurovision with Waterloo, the band's style was influenced in part by laws that allowed the cost of outfits to be deducted against tax – so long as the costumes were so outrageous they could not possibly be worn on the street.
What is an ABBA outfit? ›
Whether you're a Dancing Queen, Super Trouper or Fernando we've got the perfect ABBA costume covered. Featuring bell bottom flares, ponchos and white jumpsuits get ready to be transported back to the 70s with men's and women's ABBA fancy dress.
What Colours did ABBA wear? ›
ABBA Members & Colors
- Frida - Red; Benny - Blue; Björn - Green; Agnetha - Yellow.
- Frida - Violet; Benny - Orange; Björn - Cyan; Agnetha - Pink.
- Frida - Green, Benny - Red, Björn - Blue, Agnetha - Violet.
We have a variety of lineups available for small or large events - from duos to 4-piece bands with supporting musicians. Prices from £350/event.
How long does ABBA tribute last? ›
Two hours of uplifting, dance inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs, fully live with fantastic staging, lighting and effects. The show recreates ABBA's sound not only perfectly, but respectfully too.
What is the most listened to ABBA song? ›
Dancing Queen
Arguably their most popular and famous song, it is also one of the greatest disco tunes of all time.
Did ABBA wear jumpsuits? ›
It would be worth it for Agnetha's pink jumpsuit with the heart cut-out alone. No one did it quite like Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid (Frida), dressed to the nines in matching spandex, bedazzled with crystals and feathers, and sky-high platform boots.
Who is the hot blonde in ABBA? ›
Åse Agneta Fältskog KVO1kl (born 5 April 1950), known as Agnetha Fältskog (Swedish pronunciation: [aŋˈnêːta ˈfɛ̂ltskuːɡ]) and Anna Fältskog, is a Swedish singer, songwriter and a member of the pop group ABBA. She first achieved success in Sweden with the release of her 1968 self-titled debut album.
You might remember ABBA as dancing queens in lycra unitards, electric blue satin or white sequins on stage - but the band also had a way with high-waisted denim flares, embroidered waistcoats and excellent jumpers when it came to dressing for day.
What went wrong with ABBA? ›
During the band's main active years, it consisted of two married couples: Fältskog and Ulvaeus, and Lyngstad and Andersson. With the increase of their popularity, their personal lives suffered, which eventually resulted in the collapse of both marriages.
Why did ABBA break up? ›
Despite going their separate ways, the band claim they never officially broke up. Ulvaeus said: "We ended, and for creative reasons. We ended because we felt the energy was running out in the studio, because we didn't have as much fun in the studio as we did this time. "And that's why we said, 'Let's go on a break'.
Why is ABBA so big? ›
How did ABBA get so popular? ABBA got so popular because they had great melodies and terrific words in their songs. You could also understand what they were singing about! They were beautiful looking people, happy to perform, and didn't need to swear and be badly behaved to be popular!
How long does the ABBA tribute concert last? ›
ABBA's timeless songs were written to be enjoyed live and MANIA gives you exactly that. Two hours of uplifting, dance inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs, fully live with fantastic staging, lighting and effects.
Is the ABBA Tribute concert good? ›
In my 78+ years, this was the BEST music experience EVER! An inveterate fan since ABBA's first hit, their incomparable music still fills the soul. The closing song was perfect: Thank You for the Music!
How long is Dancing Queen a tribute to ABBA? ›
Far from being 'just another cover band', Dancing Queen: A Tribute To ABBA is a full-scale concert production featuring more than two hours of fun, energetic musical performances with a live backing band, replica costumes, theatrical lighting and FX and all the dancing an ABBA fan can handle.
Is the ABBA Tribute concert a hologram? ›
ABBA's “hologram” concert is not actually a hologram concert at all, but it is the first of its kind as it blurs the lines between physical and digital. A hologram is a virtual three-dimensional image, but the show's producers have said this isn't what they're using for the concert.
