In the 80s, Andy Nye had performed in The Michael Schenker Group and wrote music for bands like Asia and The Zombies. But his love for Abba persisted and in 1997, he put together the critically acclaimed Platinum tribute act that has toured the world. This weekend Nye brings ABBA Platinum: The Live ABBA Tribute Show to the city again, two years after it first made its India debut.
When asked why he chose the name Platinum, Nye is quick to reply. “At that time, there was already a tribute band called Abba Gold, so we thought what could be better than gold, and from there came the name platinum.” Currently, the line-up includes six members with four front singers, one base player and a drummer. The band has been performing for 20 years, but a highlight for Nye is the thrill to perform onstage with his wife Sarah Jane, portraying Benny Anderson and Anni- Frid Lyngstad.
There are several tribute bands recreating Abba’s magic, so how does Platinum manage the competition? “The main selling point is that [we] perform absolutely live unlike the other tribute bands,” says Andy Nye who considers lip syncing as bad as cheating the public. “If someone has bothered to take out time to come and hear us perform, then I want every person in the audience to feel that we are playing just for them.”
The upcoming tour goes to Delhi after three performances in Mumbai. Platinum’s setlist includes hits such as ‘Mama Mia’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘Thank You For The Music’, ‘Waterloo’, and more. But it’s ‘Dancing Queen’ that always manages to make the audience move their feet. “Even if there is one person who hasn’t got up and danced, this song will definitely set the mood,” says Nye adding that the shows will also be a great way to introduce younger audiences to the timeless music of Abba.
The ABBA Platinum: The Live ABBA Tribute Show will take place on December 10, 11 at 8 p.m. at St Andrews Auditorium, Bandra West; and on December 12 at 8 p.m. at the Tata Theatre, NCPA. Visit bookmyshow.com for details.
