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Australian tribute act brings timeless hits to Kuala Lumpur
FOR anyone too young to have seen Abba before the Swedish group stopped performing together, Bjorn Again may be the next best thing.
The Australian tribute act’s Kuala Lumpur concert captured much of the sound, colour and unapologetic fun of an Abba show, minus the history and personal baggage that eventually surrounded the original quartet.
Timeless across generations
The seated setup at Zepp Kuala Lumpur suited an audience that leaned older, with roughly 2,000 people appearing to fill the venue. Younger listeners and families were also scattered throughout the crowd, showing how easily Abba’s greatest hits have travelled across generations.
Alwiyah Ismail was 16 in 1976, the year Abba released Arrival. Half a century later, the songs carried her back to that period while also reminding her of the more recent Mamma Mia films.
“It brings back some of my fondest memories, both from the old days and more recently through the film. The best thing about its music is how it has transcended generations,” Alwiyah told theSun.
Jun Leow, who is turning 20, offered proof of that reach. She attended with a group of friends around her age.
“I grew up watching Mamma Mia and a lot of Abba songs. So hearing it in person, it feels amazing,” Jun said.
That affection became especially visible during Slipping Through My Fingers, when several mothers embraced their daughters. The sight was deeply moving and heartwarming.
Bringing Abba to life
Bjorn Again wasted no time getting started. The band burst onto the stage with Waterloo, immediately setting a lively tone. Dressed in flamboyant costumes and performing with the exaggerated “Swenglish” humour associated with the act, the musicians presented Abba with equal parts affection and parody.
The strongest performances came from the two women playing Agnetha and Frida. Both carried the demanding vocal parts confidently, although Agnetha’s stand-in was particularly impressive.
At one point, she held a sustained note for so long that it became one of the evening’s clearest displays of vocal power. Their harmonies and chemistry gave Super Trouper, SOS, Chiquitita and The Winner Takes It All the polish audiences expected.
The set mixed the obvious favourites with slightly less prominent selections, including Honey, Honey, I Kissed the Teacher, Ring Ring and The Name of the Game. It also covered I Have a Dream, Fernando, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Money, Money, Money, Lay All Your Love on Me, Take a Chance on Me and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Rocking beyond the catalogue
Bjorn Again occasionally wandered beyond Abba’s catalogue. Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer became a crowd-pleasing detour, while the rhythm of The Police’s Message in a Bottle appeared during SOS.
The Bjorn Again musicians playing Benny and Bjorn also launched into AC/DC’s Back in Black and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, the latter serving as a playful reference to the venue’s Zepp name. Drummer Ola earned his own moment with an energetic solo.
Trivia games kept people occupied before the concert, while the singers later encouraged everyone to dance and sing along. The seating may have suited the older audience, but it did little to keep people from joining in.
One last dance
After an initial exit, Bjorn Again returned for Mamma Mia, followed by Dancing Queen, before closing with another jubilant run through Waterloo. Repeating the opening song could have felt redundant, yet the reprise formed a celebratory bookend.
Bjorn Again extended the tribute beyond a note-for-note imitation. The comedy, rock diversions and crowd interaction gave the show its own personality.
For fans who never had the chance to see Abba in its prime, the concert offered a convincing substitute and a genuinely fun memory.
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