“From start to finish, the energy doesn’t dip. It’s one massive celebration of one of the greatest pop bands in history.”
Those are the words of one of the members of ABBA Revival, the latest band to talk about why they’re looking forward to performing at Cwmbran Stadium on Saturday 19 July 2025.
The foursome will use a custom-built replica piano of the one used by ABBA’s Benny Andersson, and wear handmade replica costumes.
John Reilly told Cwmbran Life: “We absolutely aim to recreate the feel of a real ABBA concert, but with a few added layers to make it really hit in a live setting. The arrangements stay true to what ABBA did live, but we give the songs a bit more punch, a little extra energy to suit today’s audiences. It’s still ABBA through and through, just turned up a notch.
“One of our favourite moments in the show is when we strip everything back. We do a short, acoustic-style section where we invite the audience to sing along—just us and a piano. And not just any piano, mine is a custom-built replica of the exact model Benny used. It’s a subtle touch, but it means a lot to us.
“Production-wise, the lighting is on another level. Extremely high-end. But it’s one of those things you have to witness to believe. We’re all about creating a show that feels elated, builds momentum, and ends on something truly grand.”
I asked him what the Crow Fest crowd can expect from their live show, replicas or a twist.
‘Take a lot of pride’
He said: “We take a lot of pride in the detail. All our costumes are handmade and are direct replicas of ABBA’s originals, down to the stitching and trims. It’s important to us that we don’t just look the part, but really honour the style and spirit of the era.
“Vocally, we work hard to capture ABBA’s unique blend of tight harmonies, distinctive phrasing, and that unmistakable Scandinavian edge to the delivery. We study live footage to mirror how they performed their songs in concert, not just on record. Every member of the band knows their vocal role inside out.
“Choreography-wise, we’ve studied the original shows in depth and incorporated a lot of ABBA’s genuine routines and movements.
“Beyond that, we step into their personas too, everything from how they moved and interacted on stage to the way they connected with the crowd. It’s a full performance, not just a soundalike show.”
‘A total mood-lifter’
And what songs does John love to perform, and what are their audience’s favourites?
He said: “For me, it’s Take a Chance on Me. There’s something so joyful and upbeat about it. It’s peaky, it bounces, and it almost has this happy, country-like swing to it. It’s a total mood-lifter on stage and always feels fresh, no matter how many times we’ve played it.
“As for audience favourites, you’d expect Dancing Queen, of course, and that’s always a standout. But in truth, the crowd goes wild for every song. ABBA’s catalogue is just packed with hits. Every single one of the 22 songs we perform lands with full force. From start to finish, the energy doesn’t dip. It’s one massive celebration of one of the greatest pop bands in history.
“I’ve always had a huge admiration for ABBA’s songwriting. Those tracks are so well-crafted, full of clever harmonic shifts, and packed with energy. You might think of them as pop, but there’s real musical depth there. It’s upbeat, it’s infectious, and it’s incredibly rewarding to perform live.
This interview was carried out thanks to the support of the event’s organisers, Cwmbran Community Council.