Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Members of the audience in a musical bliss as they watch a magnificent performance delivered by Swedish group 'Arrival' in a 'Night of Nostalgia Tribute to Abba' concert at the Half Moon Shopping Village in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, on Saturday night. - Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

The internationallyacclaimed Swedish pop group Arrival, the definitive replica of predecessors Abba, made an indelible mark on the Jamaican entertainment and tourism landscape on Saturday night, when they gave an explosive performance.

Dubbed 'A Night of Nostalgia, A Tribute to Abba', Arrival, which coined its name from one of Abba's hit songs, skillfully and professionally manipulated most, if not all of Abba's songs, and almost convinced the crowd that they were the original.

The J$10,000 per person all-inclusive event, sponsored by Virgin Airlines and held in the courtyard of the Half Moon Shopping Village at Rose Hall, Montego Bay, was worth every penny.

There was food, wine, an assortment of fine liqueurs and punches, too much to be consumed by the hundreds of patrons.

Arrival was simply electrifying, and left the Jamaican people in total satisfaction with their stellar performance. From the commencement of the show and throughout their one and a half-hour set, Arrival had the crowd literally feeding from their hands.

Good to be in jamaica

The group was introduced onstage at approximately 9:26 p.m and kicked off the show with a song written in Swedish, they then sang the SOS song. "Hello Jamaica, It is good to be here," remarked lead vocalist Victoria Norback, who performs as Abba's Frida.

With the delivery of I Do, I Do, Jan Kling, Abba's original saxophonist was introduced onstage to echoes of cheers. They followed up with the hit Fernando.

After singing Money, Money, the duo Victoria 'Vickie' Norback and Caroline Jonsson, left the stage. The musicians pumped up the rhythm loudly, crashing sounds from the hyatt reaching deep in the souls of the audience. Women screamed loudly and uncontrollably as the crowd waited with bated breath for their return.

Soulful emotion

Abba's original guitarist Mats Ronander was brought onstage. He strummed the guitar strings with precision and soulful emotion, as he sang On and On and On.

Ten minutes later, Arrival was back onstage. This time the group wore white, baby-doll satin outfits, draped with gold-looking strings and shiny beads. Their rendition of Mama Mia sent the crowd wild, and they followed with Abba's winning 1974 Eurovision Song, Waterloo.

The group changed intermittently in 1970s style authentic tunics, which represented what Abba wore during their heyday.

They performed other favourites including the French song Voulez Vous (What You Want) Gimmie, Gimmie,Gimmie, and a host of others. But of all the hit songs, Dancing Queen simply sent the crowd in a musical frenzy and on that note, Arrival climaxed their performance.