Extended stay in Sydney!

ABBAWORLD, the exhibition about the 70s global pop sensation ABBA whose music almost four decades on continues to attract a new generation of fans, has now been extended at the Powerhouse Museum until 26 June 2011.

Powerhouse Museum Associate Director, Mark Goggin, said: "Tens of thousands of Sydney fans have really enjoyed this exhibition for the pure fun it offers visitors as they relive the era of ABBA that captured audiences worldwide through their engaging music, glitzy costumes and invigorating performances. We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to extend ABBAWORLD’s season in Sydney before the exhibition returns to Sweden."

ABBAWORLD captures the music, memories and magic that made the Swedish group a worldwide phenomenon.  It explores where the four members of the group came from, the formation and success of ABBA and the post ABBA years. It features ABBA’s first major international live performance and Sweden’s first win at the Eurovision Song contest in 1974, their highly acclaimed concert tours including the Australian tour in 1977, and the impact of their music that has inspired several hit movies and a stage show -  Muriel’s Wedding, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Mamma Mia.

On display are more than 20 original costumes, the epitome of 70’s glam, live concert footage, promotional and behind-the-scenes photographs, album artworks and other ABBA memorabilia, as well as exclusive interviews with members Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog.

The ABBA concert dressing room, the writing studio on Viggsö - an island in the Stockholm archipelago where many of ABBA’s songs were written, and ABBA’s recording studio Polar Studio in Stockholm where the group recorded its last two albums, are also recreated in the exhibition.

Visitors can relive ABBA’s music and sing and dance their way through the exhibition using a series of interactives including perform on a stage with ABBA, dance in an ABBA video, record a sing-a-long with ABBA, or be photographed on an ABBA album cover.

For more than 35 years, ABBA has maintained international success with their songs that remain a fixture on radio playlists today.  ABBA is one of the top three selling artists in the world, having sold 375 million records worldwide. They still sell over 3 million records a year.

Band member Björn Ulvaeus said: "It always seemed to me that people in the music press and also in the music industry sort of took it for granted that ABBA would be a one hit wonder. Why would we be different from any other Eurovision winner? We really had an up-hill struggle after Waterloo and our follow-up singles didn’t do well. Then the Australians came to our rescue. They released SOS and Mamma Mia and both songs made the charts in a big way down under. Suddenly everyone else around the world realized there was life in the band that was supposed to be dead. I’m forever grateful to the Australians for that!"

Magnus Danielsson, President of Touring Exhibitions says: "We´re so happy for the huge crowds ABBAWORLD has attracted so far at Powerhouse Museum and are looking forward to an even stronger finishing run of our Australian visit."

On View: ABBAWORLD
Date: Until 26 June 2011
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444
Website: www.powerhousemuseum.com 
Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Admission: Adult $22, Child $12, family $50, concession/seniors $16.
                    Book tickets at www.powerhousemuseum.com/abbaworld 

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ABOUT ABBAWORLD
ABBAWORLD is a multi-media exhibition and an emotional journey spanning the successful career of the Swedish super group ABBA. The exhibition in Sydney is bursting with music, exclusive footage, images and never-before-displayed memorabilia from the personal collections of the world’s most cherished pop icons; Anni-Frid, Benny, Björn and Agnetha. Following the successful runs of ABBAWORLD in London, Melbourne and Hungary, the exhibition in Sydney will be extended until 26 June, 2011.

For more information, please visit: www.abbaworld.com 


ABOUT TOURING EXHIBITIONS
Touring Exhibitions creates exhibition experiences for all audiences and is backed by Polar Music, which is part of Universal Music Group; Eventum Exhibitions, with roots from Live Nation; Parks & Resorts Scandinavia; SynergeraRättighetsförvaltning; and an investment group led by Investering i Kunskap.

For more information, please visit: www.touringX.com