21st Century Abba: Bringing the music of Abba to a new generation!
Remember the days of sequins, flares and platform boots?
Remember the songs you know and love: Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Super Trouper and many, many more?
Want to be taken back to a time when the airwaves were filled with Agnetha and Frida’s infamous harmonies and the dancefloor was packed with people moving to the unforgettable music of Benny and Bjorn?
21st Century Abba faithfully recreates all the greatest hits of the Super Swedes, using latest technologies combined with live musicians that will rock your socks off.
Wearing those costumes you know and love and taking you back to the decade where Abba ruled the world, having audiences cheering for more and leaving us as Dancing Queens!
Nina (Agnetha), was destined to sing Abba, having been named after the Abba Single ‘Nina, Pretty Ballerina’! She first stumbled across Abba when she discovered the Super Trouper album in her grandmother’s record collection at the age of six, and from that moment she was hooked! Nina has performed all over the world as Agnetha, from Libya to Mauritius and everything in between, winning several prestigious awards in the process. Nina is also an accomplished song writer and session musician, with her songs used on tv and in adverts all over the world. She started out life as a rock chick, performing backing vocals foe several famous rock bands, before destiny brought her back to Abba. Her most unusual work – duetting ith celebrity chef Jamie Oliver! Favourite Abba song – “it changes almost weekly! But, Thank you for the music can bring a tear to my eye some nights – it feels very emotional to sing”.
Marcus (Bjorn) picked up a guitar when he was 7 years old and never looked back. Originally from the UK, Marcus lived in Australia for several years. One night, when he was performing at a jam night, he got spotted by a very well known Australian Management Company and was asked to join a world tour the following day! He packed a bag and hasn’t looked back since. After travelling all over the world (New Zealand cited as his favourite country to perform in), mainly as Bjorn but also playing Don Henley in an Eagles show, we are very lucky that he came back to the UK, to continue his Abba adventures with 21st Century Abba. His favourite Abba song is Hasta Manana because “it reminds me of my childhood”.
Greg (Benny) became a Grade 8 pianist by the age of eleven. Who was his greatest influence at that time? None other than Benny himeslf! Greg’s admiration for the craftsmanship of Abba’s fantastic catalogue of hits shines through in his playing, such that you really do believe it could be the main man himself on stage. His favourite song? Winner takes it all of course, he says. The combination of that intro with the descending piano line, the strong chorus bass line and Agnetha’s belting, yet emotional vocal is breathtaking.
Indrija (Frida) is originally from Lithuania. She is the adventurer of the band, being a skilled Fire Eater, Motor Bike Rider, Dancer and more recently, pianist. Indrija, as well as playing Frida for several years, has also been a very successful model, cleverly combining busines acumen with beauty by using the power of social media to promote her business. Head over Heels is Indrija’s favourite track. Not only does she feel that the lyrics could apply to her (!), but the melody reminds her of Russian songs her mother would sing to her as a child.
Martin (Magic) Johnson started life as a jazz drummer, before adding rock, playing for the likes of Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden), and then pop to his repertoire as musical director for pop starlets Bewitched, and touring with acts such as the Bay City Rollers and Page 3 queen turned songstress Sam Fox. After touring the world, he has now joined the 21st Century Abba ranks, and is a lecturer for BIMM (British Institute for Modern Music) ‘in his spare time’. Martin’s favourite Abba song is Name of the Game as he thinks it has a great groove and bass line.
Mike, as well as being a world class bass player, is also one of the chief writers for Bass Guitar Magazine, having interviewed some of the most prolific bass players of our time. Not only does he sound good, but his light up fret board on his bass is his signature look – very nice! Mike has been on the Abba scene for many years, travelling the world, and we are very proud to have him on the 21st Century Abba team. Favourite Abba song? “The Winner Takes it all…lyrically heartbreaking, musically wonderful. An Abba Masterpiece”!