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World tour planned for ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ virtual concert experience

'Voyage' is currently slated to run through January 2024 in London

ABBA ‘s Voyage virtual concert experience could be making its way around the world.

• READ MORE: ABBA Voyage live in London: an epic avatar mega-mix from a brave new world

Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge revealed in a company earnings call per Variety on Thursday (March 2): “Plans are now in development to take ‘ABBA Voyage’ around the world”. No other information – including targetted cities, venues and dates – has been announced.

ABBA’s Voyage experience debuted at the ABBA Arena in London in May 2022. It is currently slated to run through January 2024. Tickets can be purchased here .

Voyage scored a five-star review from NME ‘s Andrew Trendell, who attended its premiere on May 27. “Ageing rockers and poppers are bound to imitate the idea, but it’ll be a struggle to come close to the experience of ABBA Voyage. We for one welcome our new ABBAtar overlords, if only for giving these songs back to us in a totally new and joyful way,” Trendell wrote.

Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Björn Ulvaeus reunited in public for the first time in 36 years to attend the opening night. Lyngstad told NME on the red carpet that it felt “fantastic” to be at the momentous event.

Speaking to NME at the premiere, the show’s producer Svana Gisla and guitarist Dom John shed light on the future of Voyage . When asked if Voyage could be the last the world sees of ABBA, Gisla said: “I think this is the final thing. They’re quite genuine in that, but they’ve said that before. I think this is it. It took a lot to make and it was hard work, from us and from them.”

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Meanwhile, John said he could see the show going on for “multiple years, maybe” when sked how long he expected to be performing as part of the show.

ABBA released ‘Voyage’, their first studio album in 40 years, in November 2021. The record garnered a three-star review from NME ‘s Nick Levine who noted: “There are some bumpy moments along the way, but this ‘Voyage’ is a nostalgia trip worth taking.”

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ABBA Take Trip to the Future With Virtual Live Show: Inside the Pioneering Production

The four members of ABBA made a rare public appearance to watch their 'ABBA-tars' perform in the highly technical stage show.

By Richard Smirke

Richard Smirke

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LONDON — After a 40-year wait, Swedish pop sensations ABBA made their eagerly-anticipated return to the live stage on Thursday. And although none of the real-life musicians were actually onstage performing, all four of them were present in London, making a rare public appearance at the premiere of their virtual live concert ABBA Voyage.

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Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog walked the red carpet and received a rapturous standing ovation when they appeared onstage together at the end of the much-hyped show, which features de-aged digital avatar versions of the band – or ABBA-tars, as the show’s producers insist on calling them – and takes place in a new purpose-built 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

ABBA Partner Pophouse Enters Catalog-Buying Market With Swedish Mafia House Deal

Billed as a “Concert Like No Other,” the launch was attended by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as several music stars and VIPs, including Kylie Minogue, Zara Larsson, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker, Kate Moss and Keira Knightley.

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For lovers of ABBA, who broke up in 1982 and have continually resisted lucrative offers to re-form, ABBA Voyage delivers the type of jaw-dropping greatest hits live show that most fans thought they’d never get the chance to see again.

For the wider live music industry, it represents a fascinating glimpse into a potential future where the world’s biggest acts no longer have to travel or even physically appear onstage to pack concert venues and sell millions of tickets, theoretically extending an act’s touring career well into old age and, if demand allows, beyond death.

The concept is not new and versions of 3D hologram live music shows have been around for several years now: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur and Roy Orbison are among the artists that have been recreated digitally for audiences’ entertainment, with varying degrees of success and believability.

ABBA Voyage represents a seismic leap forward in terms of technology and sheer scale to sit at the cutting edge of what virtual concerts can now deliver. Breaking new ground comes at a high price, however, with the Swedish band reportedly needing to recoup around £140 million ($176 million) to cover production costs (a spokesperson for the production declined to comment on how much the show costs to stage).

Work on the production began in 2016 and went through several different guises as the thinking and technology behind it evolved. Early on, the show was envisaged as a hologram-type event, then a touring concert series, before settling on a London residency.

To create the digital versions of Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Frida, technicians from George Lucas’ special effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) spent five weeks inside a Stockholm movie studio filming the four band members – now all in their 70s – performing their back catalog, while wearing figure-hugging motion-capture suits.

There were 160 cameras scanning their bodies, recording their every movement and facial expression, which the designers then used as the basis for the avatars that drive the live show. Body doubles were also used in the motion capture process to give the digital band – represented in their late 1970s prime, complete with glitzy sequined costumes and winged catsuit outfits designed by B Åkerlund and Dolce & Gabbana — a more youthful energy.

More than 1,000 visual-effects artists and one billion computing hours went into making the ABBA-tars as eerily realistic and human-like as possible. During the show, they appear on huge 65-million-pixel screens, often as life-sized versions of their younger selves. At other times, the four musicians are shown in photo-realistic close up on the large screens that loom over the dance floor and surrounding seats.

The boundaries between physical and digital realms are further blurred by a 10-piece live band that energetically performs the group’s hits onstage, merging seamlessly with recordings of Agnetha and Frida’s voices, Bjorn’s guitar and Benny’s piano.

A spectacular light show utilizing 20 lighting rigs and over 500 moving lights add to the visual spectacle, helping create the illusion that you have travelled back in time and the four members of ABBA are there, performing on stage in front of you.

The magic is temporarily broken whenever the avatars address the audience and their pre-recorded words are drowned out by the crowd (rather than pausing and milking the applause as any seasoned real-life performer would instinctively do). But the show moves at such a fast visually stimulating pace that these awkward moments are fleeting and soon forgotten.

There are also playful nods to the digital artifice on display with the four characters routinely joking about how good they look for their age or pretending to struggle to get into their costumes. Two animations by U.K.-based visual artists Shynola effectively act as big-budget intervals between the virtual avatar performances, while the production team – led by Ludvig Andersson, son of Benny, Svana Gisla and director Baillie Walsh — wisely steer clear of making the avatars’ dancing seem too slickly choreographed and synchronized, replicating the quirky homespun charm of the original performers.

“With ABBA Voyage the band have created their own monument which is as brilliant and timeless as their music,” says Frank Briegmann , chairman & CEO Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon.

For now, the concert runs just over 90 minutes with 20 songs, spanning some of ABBA’s biggest hits (“Mamma Mia”, “Thank You For The Music”, “The Winner Takes It All”, “Knowing Me Knowing You”) alongside fan favorite album cuts (“The Visitors,” “Hole In Your Soul,” “When All Is Said And Done”) and two tracks from last year’s comeback album, also called Voyage (“Don’t Shut Me Down” and “I Still Have Faith In You”).

It’s a safe assumption that the set list will change over time with new songs dropped into the production at regular intervals throughout its run to encourage repeat visits. The model behind ABBA Voyage is expressly built to maximize those revenue generating opportunities, with the show booked to run in London for least the next 12 months, hosting between seven and nine gigs a week, including two weekend matinees. (In an interview with Variety earlier this week, Andersson said they had sold around 380,000 tickets so far).

Beyond that, the purpose-built venue — a futuristic-looking steel structure which loosely resembles a 70s spacecraft, houses 291 speakers and has LED lights spelling out the band’s name on its outer skin – has a four-year lease agreement with London council in place, meaning that more than four million people could pass through its doors by the time the show leaves the U.K. in late 2026 (based on full capacity shows running seven times a week).

Where ABBA Voyage goes after that is open to all possibilities with the band’s global popularity – enhanced by the two Mamma Mia feature films, spin off Mamma Mia! The Party dining experience and ongoing popularity of the group’s evergreen catalog – meaning they could theoretically pack up and transport the ABBA Arena, or even operate multiple versions of the same immersive concert experience, anywhere in the world.

“To be or not to be,” wise cracks Benny’s avatar during the show “That is no longer the question.” ABBA Voyage makes those words a reality.

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Brit Beat: ABBA ‘Voyage’ Producers Speak on Hot-Selling Virtual Concert in London

By Mark Sutherland

Mark Sutherland

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The reunited ABBA — which  announced a new album and virtual concert earlier this month — is building a special venue in London to host the “ immersive digital concert experience ,” which will see singers Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and instrumentalists/songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus performing digitally via avatars with a live 10-piece band in a purpose-built arena in London, beginning on May 27, 2022. Variety caught up with producers Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson as preliminary rehearsals started in London for the ground-breaking show.

“Every day brings a new set of nightmarish problems but we overcome them!” quips Andersson. “It’s an adventure, to say the least.”

Demand was so high for the first batch of tickets to go on sale that the site crashed.

“We knew ABBA was popular,” says Andersson “But that was not a guarantee that this would be received the way it was received. That’s a nice feeling but also scary, of course. The responsibility increases with every sold ticket, as it should.”

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“We’re going to put another three months on sale very soon,” says Gisla. “We’re going to be in London for quite a while. And it’s obviously nice that people are buying tickets for something where they’re not quite sure what they’re going to get.”

In simple terms, Gisla says what people will actually get is “an ABBA concert – we can go into detail about what that concert experience is and why it’s a slightly different experience to any other concert, but essentially it’s an ABBA concert.”

But, adds Andersson, people should not concern themselves with how closely “Voyage” compares to ABBA’s live gigs back in the day.

“I don’t think that’s the way to look at it,” he says. “I mean, it will be incredibly close – it will be as close as it’s possible to get. But this is more than that. I don’t think you will come and feel you’re getting close to something, you’ll feel like you’re going past something and out into space.”

The pair say the setlist will consist of 19-22 ABBA songs, designed as “a setlist for a concert, not for a ‘Best-of’ karaoke session – they’re not just the ‘ABBA Gold’ ‘hits.” There will be potential for the setlist to change in future, and for the show to be moved to other locations – in the best traditions of Swedish design, the purpose-built venue can be flatpacked and moved – or even run at multiple locations simultaneously.

Germany and Australia are potential future destinations, with the U.S. (“Is ABBA big in America?” ponders Andersson) and Sweden also in the mix. But the producers say they have no plans to recreate the experience with other artists.

“I don’t think other bands should look at this thinking, ‘Great, we don’t have to tour anymore, we can just do this’,” says Andersson. “The only chance we have of this becoming a success is because ABBA themselves want to do it exactly like this. They think this is the best way they can connect with their fans, better in fact than if they had actually been there in the flesh.” …

+ The U.K. government may have held off ordering new legislation to regulate the streaming business – at least for now – but Britain’s fierce #FixStreaming debate is far from over.

After an ambivalent government response to the Department for Digital, Media, Culture & Sport’s Parliamentary Committee’s scathing report, there is now the intriguing prospect of both sides sitting down around a table as part of a new “music industry contact group.” That group will provide further evidence to government before ministers make their final judgement on whether legislation is necessary.

While the committee had made a string of radical recommendations, including introducing a right to equitable digital music remuneration (ER) that campaigners say would significantly boost performers’ earnings, the government seemed less persuaded by the arguments. Instead, it clearly favors the industry coming up with its own internal solutions. But how likely is that when the two sides have seemed poles apart during months of debate? Variety spoke to two leading executives likely to feature on the contact group.

“To be honest, I don’t think we’re going to get what we want unless there is government legislation,” says Horace Trubridge, general secretary of the Musicians’ Union, which runs the #FixStreaming campaign with the Ivors Academy alongside musician Tom Gray’s #BrokenRecord campaign. “There’s just no willingness from the labels to entertain the idea of equitable remuneration.”

Geoff Taylor, CEO of the BPI, confirms to Variety that the labels body remains “absolutely convinced in our view that ER would be a profound mistake.” But, he adds, “If we are talking about other ways of trying to improve the lot of artists, then of course we’re very interested in doing that.”

Regardless of what happens in the sessions, ER could yet be introduced via MP Kevin Brennan, who has a Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians, Etc) Private Members’ Bill due for a second reading in December. Private Members’ Bills rarely make it onto the statute books, but Trubridge remains hopeful.

“For us, it’s another brick in the wall, another way of getting the problem aired and bringing it to the attention of Government,” he tells Variety . “We’re not going to stop, we’re going to keep going and – whether it’s this government or another one – I think we will achieve legislation on this eventually.”

“Of course we will engage with that Private Members’ Bill,” says Taylor. “But we think government was right to conclude there was not the quality or range of evidence necessary to intervene with far-reaching legislation at a time which could be so disruptive to the future prospects for the industry.”

Campaigners note recent record profits for the major labels, as well as Universal Music Group’s sky-high valuation after its IPO, as evidence record companies could afford to offer artists a better deal. But Taylor says labels have already made reforms.

“The majors are already giving their artists more,” says Taylor. “We’ve seen commitments to share digital breakage, commitments to share the proceeds of equity stakes in DSPs, the Sony announcement on recoupment… We’ve seen a bunch of issues addressed and progress made over the last few years. The question is, beyond that, is there more than can be done?”

Trubridge certainly thinks so.

“What Sony did was OK, but [there’s been] nothing from Warner or Universal,” he says. “You would have thought they would have gone, ‘Let’s throw these people a bone to show we are modernizing and sorting some of these problems out’.”

If you could sell tickets to the contact group sessions – which will carry on for a year, with a progress report due in spring 2022 – you suspect they’d be a sell-out. But Taylor is hoping talks remain constructive.

“We’ll look back on this period as regrettable in some instances because of our failure to work together and the bad blood some people have injected into these industry conversations,” he says. “But I’m confident that – if the industry turns its focus to recognizing the value everyone brings to the table, and tries to work together to make sure everybody prospers – then good progress can continue to be made.”

Could there be peace in our time? Watch this space…

+ Are the majors too powerful? The DCMS Parliamentary Committee had also called on the government to investigate that issue, referring the major labels to the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate what the committee called the majors’ “market dominance.” However, as above, the government instead opted to leave it to the CMA itself to decide whether a market study is necessary.

“We acknowledge the concerns raised about the music streaming sector and the government’s view that there may be value in a market study,” a CMA spokesperson says. “Our staff are developing initial proposals for the CMA Board to consider at its October meeting and we have committed to updating the government and the DCMS Committee on the outcome of that discussion.”

The CMA will also be busy with an in-depth Stage 2 investigation of Sony’s bid to acquire AWAL. Sources tell Variety the CMA is expected to deliver its initial findings shortly before Christmas, with a final verdict expected in early March. The deal has been approved in other territories without conditions, with insiders convinced it’s only the political shadow cast by the streaming inquiry that has prompted the CMA to flex its muscles. Whether that will be enough to see the deal blocked, however, remains to be seen…

Whatever happens during the various processes, one company looks set to come out of the streaming debate with its reputation considerably enhanced. Publishing and records powerhouse BMG was the first music group to welcome the committee’s call for a “complete reset” of the sector, and Horace Trubridge praises their work to reform contracts and improve deals.

More artist-friendly moves are expected soon. But U.K. boss Alistair Norbury, president of repertoire & marketing, tells Variety that’s just one factor in helping the label secure high-profile recent signings such as Craig David, Natalie Imbruglia, Duran Duran and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

“Certainly, lawyers and managers – and in many cases artists themselves – are aware of it,” Norbury says. “It’s important, but it’s equally important to be able to deliver on creativity, entrepreneurship and having a long-term, international view.”

Indeed, things are also going well commercially, with the U.K. company’s focus on established talent, supplemented by some key new artists, paying off at retail. BMG’s U.K. album sales grew by 10.5% in the first six months of 2021, hugely outpacing the overall market’s 1.4% rise.

“Where we’re particularly strong is bringing somebody back who’s been away for a while,” says Norbury, citing successful comebacks by the likes of Rick Astley and Kylie Minogue. “It’s quite hard if somebody’s put out an album every year for the past five years. But these are artists that have kept their powder dry, which means there’s an excitement and appetite at media to work with them.”

Norbury is hoping that will continue in a packed Q4, where releases from Duran Duran, JLS, Imbruglia and Minogue will compete with the likes of Ed Sheeran, ABBA and Coldplay. He says BMG has secured key media slots for its artists, despite huge competition.

“It’s the healthiest Q4 I can remember and I’m anticipating a huge amount of walk-up at stores,” he says. “It should be good for all of us, but particularly good for BMG because we’ve got a strong label identity and a huge amount of music publishing interest in all these big records.”

Physical retailers will certainly be hoping for a Q4 boom after a dismal, pandemic-afflicted 18 months for the High Street. But the last couple of weeks have certainly seen the buzz return to Central London. First, Jack White opened the London branch of his Third Man Records in Soho, and now Queen has debuted its Queen The Greatest pop-up shop, just around the corner on Carnaby Street.

It will sell exclusive vinyl and merch ranges and offer a journey through the band’s five decades. And, while it’s currently scheduled to remain open for three months, David Boyne – managing director of Universal Music’s merch company, Bravado – tells Variety it could become a long-term institution if there’s enough demand. Bravado has a permanent Rolling Stones store on the same street.

“The one lesson we’ve learned [from the Stones shop] is the enduring value and magic that these iconic bands create,” Boyne says. “We should never take that for granted. Over the last four-to-six weeks we’ve seen a real increase in footfall. You can feel central London starting to open up again, so the timing on Queen is absolutely great.”

Boyne also says Bravado is considering bespoke physical retail options for a number of other iconic acts.

+  NQ – the 360-degree entertainment company, comprising management, label and publishing and behind one of the U.K.’s most successful rappers, Aitch – has just expanded its operations by opening NQ House, a studio and events space/private members club in its home city of Manchester.

“Manchester is a big and growing powerhouse,” CEO Michael Adex tells Variety . “With its heritage in music from the Hacienda [nightclub], Factory Records and Oasis and a new wave of music coming out of the city, it’s very important that we champion that and create the infrastructure within the city to take it international. You don’t have to be based in London to make it.”

Adex plans to hook up Ed Sheeran-approved Aitch, who goes through 10K Projects in the U.S., with American collaborators for a big Stateside push next year. He also has ambitions to open another NQ House in the States in the future.

In the meantime, NQ is one of the fastest-rising independents in the U.K., but with a voracious market for music acquisitions at the moment, Adex does not rule out a sale of his company.

“I’ve had so many of those offers!” he says. “With what we’ve already done, there’s very little that we need. But if something was presented where it makes sense on all levels, the added value and the finance, we’re always willing to hear it out.”

Whatever happens, however, Manchester will always remain close to his heart.

“I’m always going to have a house in Manchester,” he says. “But I like to class myself as a world citizen. I might be in Paris one day, and LA the next, so you catch me wherever you catch me.”

+ Finally, the U.K. industry is bidding a sad farewell to legendary booking agent Steve Strange , who helped guide the likes of Coldplay and Ash to stardom and represented everyone from Eminem to Queens of the Stone Age. Strange, co-founder of the X-Ray Touring agency and one of the biggest characters in the business, known for his enthusiastic backstage presence and infectious laugh, died last week, aged 53, after a short illness.

So many tributes were paid to him from across the industry that Strange trended on Twitter last weekend. Amongst them, Coldplay called him “a giant of the music industry,” Ash said he “changed this business forever” and fellow super-agent Neil Warnock, head of worldwide touring for UTA, hailed him as “an absolute icon in the world of music”. RIP.

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ABBA Shares First Look into Virtual ‘Voyage’ Concert

by Tina Benitez-Eves November 4, 2021, 10:14 am

ABBA revealed the first look at their 2022 Voyage concert series. The 20-second trailer shows the digital avatars of the Swedish pop quartet of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad, dancing to their 1978 song “Summer Night City,” donned in futuristic garb in a digitized setting with neon pyramids and other vivid imagery. The trailer comes days before ABBA releases their new album, and first in 40 years, Voyage (Universal Music Group), on Nov. 5.

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The group first revealed their reunion in September along with a new website, upcoming concerts beginning spring 2022, and new singles “I Still Have Faith in You,” “Don’t Shut Me Down” and a recent third “ Just a Notion ,” a song the group originally recorded in 1978 for their sixth album  Voulez-Vous  in 1979 that never made the cut.

“We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it,” said ABBA said in a statement in September.

Along with the release of Voyage, ABBA’s concert series kicks off in London on May 27, 2022, and features the foursome in their avatar forms, or “ABBAtars” (circa 1979), along with a 10-piece live band, at the custom-built “ABBA Arena” at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Producer Ludvig Andersson (Benny’s son) recently explained how the avatars “came to life.”

“Agnetha, Frida, Benny, and Björn got on a stage in front of 160 cameras and almost as many VFX geniuses and they performed every song in this show to perfection over five weeks, capturing every mannerism, every emotion,” said Andersson. “When you see this show it is not a ‘version of’, or a ‘copy of’, it is actually them.”

Photo by Baillie Walsh / Universal Music Group

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ABBA's Virtual 'Voyage' Show Will Be Touring Across the Globe!

ABBA ’s heading across the world!

The legendary Swedish pop group’s groundbreaking, critically acclaimed Voyage virtual concert will be making its way stateside and beyond in a global tour, Universal’s Lucian Grainge confirmed during the company’s earnings call on Thursday (March 2), via Deadline .

Keep reading to find out more…

“Plans are now in development to take ‘ABBA Voyage’ around the world,” he said.

The news would suggest that the show will be playing in specially modified arenas in major cities across the world.

The multi-million dollar project enlists George Lucas ’ Industrial Light & Magic for technology to create “ABBA-tars” of the group as they looked in 1979, playing a 90-minute concert of their biggest hits.

The band members, who are now in their seventies, spent many hours performing for the motion-capture cameras for the project.

“Everything, from ILM’s work to the lighting to the sound is amazingly beautiful. It’s the best sound you’ve heard in an arena ever, I promise you that. That has been my department. I mean, the music is my department, the band sound. All the people who work with this have been wonderful. But the technique has nothing to do with the show. You sit there and you see a band on stage and that’s what it is,” said ABBA ‘s Benny Andersson in a statement to Variety .

More details to come.

Watch the trailer for when it first launched in London…

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Abba Voyage virtual concert ‘being considered for world tour’

Organisers reportedly plan for the one of a kind show to travel ‘around the world’, article bookmarked.

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Abba Voyage show will soon travel “around the world”, organisers have reportedly said.

The virtual concert, which sees hologram- style “Abba-tars” of the pop band performing a full setlist in a purpose-built arena, has seen enormous demand.

The unique concert, which opened last May, has sold over a million tickets .

Following its success, Universal Music Group has reportedly said that the show will soon go on tour around the world.

“Plans are now in development to take ‘ ABBA Voyage’ around the world,” said Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge while on a company earnings call, reported Variety .

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A representative for Abba Voyage declined to comment, but a source close to the project said that the focus was on London for the forseeable.

Abba, who formed in Sweden in 1972, are famous for multiple hits including “Dancing Queen”, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) and “Mamma Mia”.

The group is made up of  Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They are named Abba as it is an acronym of their names.

The “scarily real” digital versions of the band members were created by George Lucas’s production company, Industrial Light & Magic.

In the four star review of the show, The Independent called Abba Voyage a “ground-breaking venture”.

“There’s a band of 10, a 20-song setlist, and strobes, beads, and domes of light submerge the crowd. It’s an incredible spectacle,” wrote Jessie Thompson.

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ABBA Voyage: Virtual Reality Concert!

By Jade Hamilton

That’s correct, you read the title right, ABBA are back! After 40 years, ABBA have returned with 2 new tracks from their upcoming album ‘Voyage’. But that’s not all they are bringing to us! Agnetha, Benny, Anni-Frid and Bjorn have created digital ABBAtars and will be performing a virtual reality concert to help promote their latest album!

The virtual reality concert will use digital technology to take fans on a captivating and immersive time-travel experience during which the members of ABBA will perform a number of tracks from their latest album alongside a 10-piece band. Opening in May, ABBA Voyage is presenting a cutting-edge technology to bring virtual reality versions of the band members back onto the stage from their heyday.

From industrial light and magic, the special effect studio founded by George Lucas, will use motion capture and virtual reality to recreate ABBA for each concert. However, some sacrifices needed to be made as Bjorn and Benny had to shave off their iconic beards due to the motion team needing to map their faces.

According to Simon Fuller (the creator behind the Spice Girls and The X Factor );

“The creativity and ideas flowing from the members of ABBA over the past few months have filled me with great excitement. We are exploring a new technological world, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence at the forefront, that will allow us to create new forms of entertainment and content we couldn’t have previously imagined.” Simon Fuller

Virtual Reality in the Performing Arts Industry

Whilst ABBA will be showcasing this cutting edge technology to the masses, the group are not the first group to experiment with virtual reality. For many years, the performing arts industry has been utilising virtual reality and other visual technologies to create a highly entertaining and engaging experience for fans. Additionally, more and more entertainment brands are incorporating virtual reality into their marketing strategies. Some use virtual reality features on apps such as instagram, while others create custom apps.

Live Events

One way in which virtual reality has been utilised in the performing arts industry is through live shows, performances and events to create an innovative experience for audiences.  For example, English virtual band Gorillaz have used various digital technologies to create eye-catching performances for their fans. A notable example of this can be seen in the video below at the 2010 MTV EMA Awards where the band used holograms to perform the hit ‘Feel Good Inc’.

Virtual Reality in Music Videos

In addition to live events, virtual reality has also been widely used to create highly engaging and interactive music videos. One of the most popular examples of this is when Icelandic singer/songwriter Bjork shared her 360-degree video of her track ‘Stonemilker’. Since this release, more bands and artists (including The Weekend and Foals) have jumped on the virtual reality bandwagon and used spherical cameras to create 360-degree music videos. As virtual reality becomes more accessible, you can expect to see more bands following pursuit of The Weekend, Foals and Bjork and creating more 360-music videos.

Virtual Reality at Home! 

Due to the challenges and obstacles caused by the Coronavirus and subsequent global lockdowns, the performing arts industry found new and creative ways to showcase live performances by utilising virtual reality. For example, French composer jean-Michel Jarre streamed an event in June to a worldwide audience, his concert drew hundreds of thousands of views across both virtual reality and non virtual reality streaming platforms. The event allowed his fans who were using a virtual reality headset to interact with one another through virtual avatars.

With the release of devices such as the Oculus Quest and Playstation VR, virtual reality is becoming an increasingly popular variety of visual technology. Furthermore, with smartphone brands such as Google and Samsung developing cost-effective accessories to help transform smartphone devices into virtual reality headsets, virtual reality is becoming increasingly accessible to the public. As a result, there are over 171 million virtual reality users globally (Statista, 2018) and a further 5.5 million units are estimated to be further shipped to customers worldwide in 2020 (Statista, 2020).

As more and more people gain access to virtual reality experiences, we can only expect to see more artists and businesses operating within the performing arts industry utilising this technology to create engaging and immersive experiences for their fans.

At Eon Visual Media we are incredibly passionate about creating visually stunning and engaging virtual reality experiences to engage, educate and inspire your stakeholders.

If you’d like to find out more about our virtual reality services that can help your business, please check out our webpage here , or alternatively please contact us here , or drop us an email !

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ABBA 'Voyage' Virtual Concert Finally Reaching Worldwide Audience? [DETAILS]

It seems like ABBA fans all over the world might be witnessing the technical spectacle that is the "Voyage" virtual concert any time soon!

For those who don't know, The "Voyage" Virtual Concert spectacle features the iconic quartet on their 1977 selves as they sing their medley of songs as if though they were there. It is built specifically at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London which is now called ABBA Arena.

The move to hold the virtual concert came decades after continuous negotiations with the members to reform since they disbanded in 1982.

Now, according to Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge, there are already plans in motion to set forth the ABBA "Voyage Virtual Concert worldwide.

"Plans are now in development to take 'ABBA Voyage' around the world," Grainge briefly revealed .

Up until now, information about the ABBA "Voyage Virtual Concert being held worldwide has been slim. According to Variety , Grainge statements presumes that the ABBA "Voyage Virtual Concert will be held at various key cities worldwide, and not just at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Like a normal world tour, but with very limited tour stops all over the world.

READ ALSO: ABBA Earns 4 Grammy Nominations After Successful Comeback In 40 Years: Can Swedish Supergroup Finally Win?

The publication  also reported that this is the first official confirmation of the show to be held worldwide after the growing acclaim of the ABBA "Voyage" Virtual Concert in the past year.

George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic, the production company behind the genius and technologically advanced spectacle, created " ABBAtars " of the group as how they looked in the 1970s.

The very life-like performance is not to be misconstrued as a hologram show, as the members, who are now all in their seventies, performed in front of motion capture cameras.

The ABBA "Voyage" Virtual Concert has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.

"At first, the movements seem a little too jerky, the lines a little too obvious. But then, just as when you saw the initially-somewhat-unconvincing dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park' for the first time, your eyes adjust, the willing suspension of disbelief kicks in, and they begin to feel like living, breathing musicians, rather than the product of 160 motion capture cameras and one billion computing hours by Industrial Light & Magic," Variety  said in a review of the show.

Check out the ABBA "Voyage" Virtual Concert trailer below:

READ ALSO: ABBA Members Now 2023: What Happened to the Musicians After Their 2021 Reunion?

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VOYAGE 590  Virtual Tour

60 Virtual Tours To Travel The World During The Coronavirus Pandemic

• Written by Post author: Chloe Smulian
• Post last modified: Updated on April 2, 2024

A comprehensive list of free virtual tours that will intrigue and delight all types of travel lovers. Discover the Seven Wonders of the World, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and iconic landmarks around the world from the comfort of your home! Experience your first virtual travel experience with us.

With extensive travel bans, citywide lockdowns and strict social distancing measures, it’s hard not to eventually let cabin fever weigh you down. This is especially true if you’ve got a healthy addiction to travel like us. So we’ve found a way around the problem – virtual travel!

Obviously it doesn’t replace the real thing, but it’s better than nothing. It’s also a great way to get travel inspiration and learn some interesting facts about the destination until we can travel again.

It will give you something positive to look forward to while we all do the responsible thing and #stayhome. Treat it like Facetiming the world!

It’s also a great thing to do with kids at home. They’ll especially love the wildlife live webcam feeds! This list is guaranteed to keep them occupied for days if not weeks!

So whether you love city escapes, exploring museums or learning interesting facts about the natural and man-made wonders around the world, there’s something for everyone.

Make sure you share this with your friends and family who love travelling too.

What Do You Need To Virtual Travel The World

Virtual touring the world is easy. All you need is a laptop, cellphone or tablet and an internet connection. You don’t need a VR set (virtual reality set), but if you have one it’s a bonus.

We recommend using Google Chrome web browser because some of these virtual tour websites are not in English. Chrome makes it really easy translating foreign languages to English or whatever language you prefer.

Lastly, have a little patience as some of these virtual tours take a bit longer to load.

New Seven Wonders Of The World Virtual Tour

Everyone’s heard of the Seven Wonders of the World. But did you know that there are two different lists for the 7 Wonders of the World?

No? We didn’t either. The list most people know is the New Seven Wonders of the World. But there’s also the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Are you one of the those rare humans that can list all New 7 Wonders of the World?

1. Great Wall of China

Often cited as the only human-made structure that is visible from space. The Great Wall of China is probably the most well known Wonder of the World. It captures over 2,000 years of history and stretches more than 21,000 km across several provinces in China. That’s as long as 5 times the length of Australia!

This iconic landmark is usually teemed with tourists all year round. But you can visit it crowd-free on this Great Wall of China virtual tour.

2. Chichen Itza, Mexico

The ancient city of Chichen Itza is one of the most well restored Mayan sites in Mexico and also its biggest tourist attraction. El Castillo may be the most famous pyramid of Chichen Itza, but there are many other ancient ruins to explore.

If you love astronomy, you’ll love learning how each structure was intricately designed to align with specific planets and stars. Sounds fascinating?

You can virtually tour Chichen Itza and explore some of its most popular sites and facts right from the comfort of your own home.

3. Christ The Redeemer, Brazil

The cultural icon of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and a symbol of Christianity across the world. The Christ The Redeemer statue is the largest art deco statue in the world. It stands 38 meters tall (around 13 storeys high) and stretches 28 meters wide.

It was built by the Roman Catholic community of Brazil following the end of World War I. The community was concerned about the growing ‘godlessness’ when Brazil officially became a republic and the church was officially separated from the state.

You can skip the 200+ step climb to the top on this stunning virtual tour of Cristo Redentor .

4. Petra, Jordan

Also known as the ‘Carved City’ or the ‘Lost City’, Petra is known as one of the oldest cities in the world. It is estimated that the city was established in the 4th century (312 BC) but was only discovered by Western civilisation in the 1800s.

Only 15% of Petra has been explored by archaeologists, so not much is known besides it being home to about 800 tombs.

It’s simply one of those places that you have to see to believe that it exists in real life. Petra is still on our travel bucket list, but this virtual tour is probably one of our favourites!

5. Taj Mahal, India

One look at the Taj Mahal and it’s easy to see why it’s a wonder. It’s considered to be one of the most magnificent masterpieces of architecture in the world. Besides that, it’s also a symbol of love. Don’t believe us? See the Taj Mahal in VR for yourself.

The emperor built it in remembrance of his third wife who passed away giving birth to their 14th child. Today the couple remains buried together beneath the main inner chamber of the Taj Mahal.

It took more than 22,000 workers, 1,000 elephants and 22 years to build this incredible structure. Now there are concerns that it will crumble into pieces as its wooden foundations are rotting away.

6. Rome Colosseum, Italy

Did you know that Italy has the most number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world? There are a total of 51 World Heritage sites within Italy of which the Colosseum is the most famous.

Historically, the Colosseum was a place where gladiator fights and executions took place in Ancient Rome. Today it stands as a symbol of power and majesty of the Roman Empire. It’s also one of the most popular tourists attraction in the world.

7. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is famous for being the Lost City of the Incas. It is believed that this is where the Incas escaped to when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century.

Besides its historical significance, Machu Picchu also showcases the Incas’ incredible mastery of stone. The stones used to construct some of the most beautiful structures in Machu Picchu were cut so precisely and wedged so closely together, that a credit card cannot be inserted between them.

Not only was this more aesthetically pleasing, it also has engineering advantages. The stones were designed to bounce through earthquake tremors and fall back into place. This was only possible because no mortar (or cement) was used and the reason why Machu Picchu still stands today.

Virtual Tours of Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Top unesco sites in africa.

8. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most famous landmarks around the world. Its sheer colossal size and perfect symmetry makes you wonder how this world icon was constructed more than 4,500 years ago.

Today, the Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving members of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

9. Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes in the world and also home to Africa’s highest mountain.

If you love hiking as much as we do, then Kilimanjaro is probably on your bucket list too. Close to 35,000 people attempt to hike Mount Kilimanjaro every year. But only 40% of them successfully reach the summit and around 5 to 15 people die every year attempting it.

There isn’t a proper virtual tour of Kilimanjaro , but you can get some awesome 360 panoramic views using Google Map street views. Just drag the little yellow man to the circles on the map to ‘explore’ the area.

Save Me For Later

10. Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

Not only is the Drakensberg Mountains a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, it’s also a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. Drakensberg is culturally significant because it hides more than 20,000 San rock paintings inside its nooks and crevices.

These rock paintings are important because they represent the earliest form of human creativity. They also symbolise the beginning of art in the world today.

We’ve had the privilege of hiking the Drakensberg Mountains when we lived in South Africa. If you plan to hike it too, make sure you read our top Drakensberg hiking trails of the Royal Natal National Park . We also share tips on how you can hike the Drakensberg with children .

Since that’s not possible right now, you can enjoy the magnificence of the Drake nsberg on this beautiful virtual tour.

Top UNESCO Sites in Asia

11. Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is known as the ‘sea of temples’ because it has the largest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world. There were originally 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries built here in the 1000s and 1100s. But only 2,000 of them still exist today.

Needless to say that the entire Bagan Archaeological zone is too vast to explore by foot alone. You can compliment your walk with a ride on old rickety bicycles, hot balloon rides or on this mind blowing virtual tour of Bagan .

12. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is famous for being the largest religious monument in the world. Yes, it’s even bigger than Bagan! Before the fall of Angkor Wat in the 15th century, it was actually the largest city in the world.

Unlike Bagan, most of Angkor Wat still exists today. It was built with durability in mind because it was designed and dedicated to the immortal gods.

13. Terracotta Army, China

This World Heritage Site isn’t a temple, but a mass grave. It’s the burial ground for the First Emperor of China and his world renowned Terracotta Army.

No one knows exactly how many terracotta warriors were made. But it’s been estimated that more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses were sculpted. And if that wasn’t amazing enough, each soldier has its own distinct facial features and were all built to life-size.

It took around 40 years to ‘build’ the entire army and its sole purpose was for protecting the emperor in his afterlife.

You can wander between these soldiers yourselves on this Terracotta Warrior virtual tour.

Top UNESCO Sites in Europe

14. Acropolis of Athens, Greece

‘Acropolis’ translates into ‘high city’ in Greek. Most cities in ancient Greece had their city centres built on a mound or a hill. This is where they would build their important temples and where citizens could retreat to if under attack.

The most famous acropolis of Greece is, of course, the one in Athens with the iconic Pantheon dominating its skyline. The Acropolis of Athens has withstood the test of time, including bombardments, earthquakes and vandalism. Yet it still stands today as a reminder of the rich history of Greece.

15. Stonehenge, United Kingdom

Also known as the Bronze Age Ring of Standing Stones, Stonehenge is one of the UK’s most unique sites and visited attractions. It’s a prehistoric monument steeped in all kinds of myth and speculation because no one knows its true origin or purpose.

Some believe that Stonehenge was a Druid temple, built by ancient Celtic pagans as a centre for their religious worship. Others believe it to have astronomical significance as the light from sunrise and sunset aligns with the stones during summer and winter solstice.

Why don’t you decide for yourself based on the interesting facts you’ll learn on this Stonehenge virtual tour.

Top UNESCO Sites in North and South America

16. Mesa Verde National Park, USA

Mesa Verde is the largest and one of the most spectacular archeological sites in the USA. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it encapsulates how Native Americans once lived by carving their homes into the cliff.

It’s one of the most well preserved ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo people in North America and you can virtually explore Mesa Verde right from the comfort of your own home.

17. Mayan Ruins of Tikal, Guatemala

At first glance, the Mayan Ruins of Tikal appears to be quite similar to the ruins of Chichen Itza. They were both major cities in the history of the Mayan civilisation and are both declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The biggest difference between the two is that Tikal is less visited and often less crowded compared to the more popular Chichen Itza. That’s because Tikal is located in the remote Guatemalan forests whereas Chichen Itza is much easier to access.

Some areas of Tikal remain unmapped or excavated too. So if you love hidden gems, make sure you visit the Mayan Ruins of Tikal , even if it’s only by virtual tour for now.

18. Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island is a Chilean island in the south Pacific Ocean. It’s famous for its 900+ giant statues known as Moais, which are scattered around the entire island.

It is believed that the Rapa Nui natives built these Moais to honour chieftains and important individuals from their village. They believed that by doing this, the spirit of the person would forever watch over the tribe and bring good fortune.

Today, Easter Island is believed to be the most remote inhabited island in the world. That’s why it’s also very expensive to get to. But have no fear, you can admire Easter Island virtually until then.

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings Around the World

Some of the most iconic and recognised landmarks and buildings around the world that you can explore for free from home.

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in USA

19. The White House, United States

Anyone can visit the White House free of charge. But you have to register and request a tour online and wait between 3 weeks to 3 months to visit. Skip the wait on this White House virtual tour.

20. Statue of Liberty, USA

More than 130 years ago, France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States to celebrate the friendship the two endured during the American Revolution. Today it represents freedom and democracy in the USA.

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in the United Kingdom

21. Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom

The official residence of The Queen and a must-visit when in London. Skip the long 3 month wait and the €30 entrance ticket and see Buckingham Palace virtually.

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in Italy

22. The Vatican, Italy

Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the seat of government. More than 5 million people come to Rome every year to feast their eyes on the prized paintings and sculptures of the Vatican and to experience the most religious and cultural site in the world. Check out youvisit.com/tour/vatican for the tour.

23. Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most recognised landmarks in the world. The intention was to build the tallest bell tower for that era in order to show off Pisa’s growing wealthy and prosperity. The ‘leaning’ part of the equation was actually an engineering mistake.

24. Doge’s Palace, Venice

More than a 1,000 years ago, Doge’s Palace was the home to the ruler of Venice and the seat of power for the Venetian Republic. Today it is one of Venice’s must-see museums. Wander around the corridors of the Doge’s Palace or along one of its many surrounding canals on this beautiful virtual tour.

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in Germany

25. Reichstag Parliamentary Building, Berlin

The Reichstag is one of the most important buildings in Berlin today. Built to symbolise the reunification of Germany. It’s one of the few parliamentary buildings in the world that allows the public to watch over government processions. Similar to the White House, it’s free to visit but you have to book months in advance for a tour. Wait no more as this virtual tour of the Reichstag is pretty awesome.

Wondering how travelling in Berlin and Germany has changed since COVID? Find out what it’s like to visit Berlin during the coronavirus pandemic .

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in France

26. Palace of Versailles, France

Did you know that the Palace of Versailles was a mere hunting lodge before it became the world’s largest palace? It’s one of the most important landmarks in French history because it symbolises the power and downfall of the French monarchy.

Explore its opulent, regal interior and admire its intricate details on this Palace of Versailles virtual tour.

27. The Louvre Museum, Paris

The Louvre use to serve as the royal palace for the French monarchy. It only became an art museum after the royal family moved their residence to Versailles. Today it is the world’s largest art museum and an iconic historical monument in Paris.

28. The Catacombs of Paris, France

It’s no coincidence that the word ‘catacombs’ rhymes with ‘tombs’. The Catacombs of Paris is the world’s largest underground burial site. The city was growing too fast for its cemeteries to handle the bodies of the dead. The solution was to move the bodies and bury them underground. Archaeologists estimate that around 6 to 7 million bodies were buried down there. Creepy…

Iconic Landmarks and Buildings in Israel

29. The Holyland, Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Also known as the most sacred place on earth. It is here at The Holyland that the main religious faiths believe that God first entered into a relationship with the human race.

Virtual Tours of Top Natural Wonders and Attractions

30. Niagara Falls , Canada – see live video feeds of these world famous falls on EarthCam.

31. The Northern Lights , Canada – another great live webcam to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Remember to watch this in the evening Canadian time.

32. Victoria Falls , Zambia – a magnificent virtual tour of the world’s largest waterfall.

33. Sahara Desert , Africa – explore the world’s largest desert without getting sand in your eyes.

34. Mount St Helens , USA – travel back in time and witness the day Mount St Helens erupted back in 1980.

35. Mount Everest , Himalayas – the only way to trek the world’s highest mountain without training is going on this virtual tour. Remember to click on the arrows to explore around.

36. Cliffs of Moher , Ireland – discover the most beautiful natural landscapes of Ireland on this gorgeous virtual tour.

37. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , USA – one of our favourite virtual tours from the whole list. Not only is it mesmerising, but you can also learn so many interesting facts on this tour.

38. Grand Canyon , USA – enjoy a virtual hike and explore one of the most famous national parks in the USA.

39. Yellowstone National Park , USA – a nature lover’s paradise. Make sure you use Google Chrome for this tour.

40. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park , China – otherwise known as ‘Avatar Mountain’. The mesmerising, otherworldly landscapes that inspired the ‘floating mountains’ in one of our favourite movies, Avatar.

41. Galapagos Islands , Ecuador – A scuba diver and nature lover’s idea of paradise! This is right on the top of our travel bucket list.

42. Raja Ampat , Indonesia – The epitome of utopia. Hundreds of jungle-covered islands as far as the eye can see and some of the best beaches, coral reefs and scuba diving spots in the world.

Virtual Tours From The Top: City Skylines

43. New York Skyline – New York, New York! Head up to the 102th floor of the Empire State Building on this virtual tour and admire the city that never sleeps from above.

44. Tokyo Skytree , Japan – Teleport yourself to the highest structure in Tokyo and admire the vibrant capital city of Japan from the top. We hope you aren’t afraid of heights because the Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters tall which is more than double the height of the Eiffel Tower.

45. The Eiffel Tower , Paris – Head to the top deck of the Eiffel Tower and marvel at the City of Love on this breathtaking virtual tour.

46. The Peak , Hong Kong – Ever heard the phrase ‘A New York minute is a Hong Kong second’ before? Discover one of the most populous and expensive cities in the world from its highest peak. When you’re ready to visit Hong Kong in person, make sure you read our 7 tips to travel Hong Kong on a budget before you go.

47. St Paul’s Cathedral , London – Admire London’s epic skyline from the top of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Free Virtual Museum Tours

You should download the Google Arts and Culture app to your phone if you’re a museum lover. You’ll find tons of stunning virtual tours and interesting things to learn from the arts and culture world. Here are some of our favourite free virtual museum tours.

48. The British Museum , London – The famous British Museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture. Their permanent collection consists of more than 8 million pieces of artwork. Making it one of the largest and most comprehensive compilations in the world.

49. Musée d’Orsay , Paris – If you love French art whether that’s paintings, sculptures, furniture or photography, you’ll love the Musée d’Orsay Museum.

50. Pergamon Museum , Berlin – Explore one of the largest and most visited museums in Germany. The Pergamon Museum is known for its antiquity collection and Islamic and Middle Eastern artworks.

If you love history and want to learn more about the story behind the Berlin Wall like why it was famous and so important. We’ve explained it simply (i.e. Story of the Berlin Wall for dummies) in our Berlin Wall by Bike guide.

51. Rijksmuseum , Amsterdam – The national museum of the Netherlands that holds some of the world’s most famous artworks from artists like Vermeer and Rembrandt.

52. Van Gogh Museum , Amsterdam – Another jewel from Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum needs no introduction.

53. The Metropolitan Museum of Art , New York – Also known as The Met. This is one of the largest museums in the world. You can easily spend days if not weeks here admiring everything from antiquities, paintings, sculptures to modern art and fashion. A museum that has something for everyone.

Live Webcam Feeds for Wildlife Watching and Scuba Diving

We saved the best for last. Watch wildlife and underwater sea life from home via live webcam feeds! If you didn’t know you could do that, now you know.

54. Tau Game Lodge in Madikwe , South Africa – The beautiful Madikwe Game Reserve is located on the edge of the South African border close to Gaborone, Botswana. They have a 24 hour live webcam looking over one of the water reservoirs where the animals come to drink.

55. Kruger National Park , South Africa – Have you always dreamt of going on safari? Wait no more! WildEarth is hosting daily safari rides, twice a day so you can see some of South Africa’s most beautiful wildlife live with their awesome rangers! This is definitely one of our favourite wildlife webcam feeds! Support WildEarth with a donation if you can during these difficult times.

56. African River Wildlife, Kenya – There are more than 10 live webcam feeds here so you’re spoilt for choice. Head over to Explore.org and enjoy ‘Facetiming’ these amazing creatures.

57. Virtual Dives with National Marine Sanctuaries – Discover the underwater world with virtual scuba diving! There’s a host of coral reefs waiting for you to explore. Just click on the video and use your mouse or VR set to look around.

58. Underwater Cave Diving – Even certified scuba divers like us are not allowed to explore underwater caves without the right technical qualifications and training. So whether you’re a scuba diver or not, you’ll most definitely enjoy this cave scuba diving virtual tour.

Want to learn how to scuba dive? Check out our Beginners Scuba Diving guide where we share how you can save time and money getting certified.

59. Georgia Aquarium – ‘FaceTime’ with the residents of Georgia Aquarium via their live webcams. See sea lions, puffer fish and even the elusive beluga whale.

60. Monterey Bay Aquarium – Another amazing aquarium with an array of live webcams. Spy on sea otters, jellyfish, penguins and even turtles and sharks.

Virtual Tours: How To Travel For Free From Home

We had a lot of fun looking for different ways to ‘travel’ the world from home. We hope you enjoyed your first experience of ‘armchair travel’. We’d love to hear which one was your favourite.

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