MAMMA MIA! Tribute band Gimme ABBA has some big shoes to fill (literally) as they brought the talent of Benny, Björn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid to Weymouth Pavilion in their As Good As New tour.

The stage was illuminated with lighting and visual effects as they brought back the memories and magic of Sweden's greatest export.

The name of the game, when it comes to tribute act shows, is to play the hits that people know.

In this case, ABBA Gold.

Gimme ABBA, however, went for the unconventional approach of playing B-sides and album tracks such as Kisses of Fire and Tiger.

As a result, the first half of their Pavilion performance felt somehow disjointed, the momentum generated by the well-known songs broken up by the audience's uncertainty at the unfamiliar tunes.

But there was no need to send out the SOS signal quite yet.

The band returned in the second half with all the legendary hits; Super Trouper, Ring Ring, Knowing Me Knowing You and Lay All Your Love on Me with Does Your Mother Know, sang by Björn, capturing the audience and stealing the show.

The band have been performing this fabulous tribute to ABBA for more than 15 years, and have enjoyed shows and festivals worldwide.

The many costume changes, choreographed dance routines and four-part vocal harmonies came together to re-create that original ABBA party feel.

Fans were left wanting more as the band returned for an encore with perhaps the most loved and well known song, Mamma Mia, closing the show with Thank You for the Music.

ABBA's music remains to be as vibrant and as loved as it was back in the seventies, delighting audiences of all ages.

Their songs have stood the test of time and really are as As Good As New.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830985

e: meghan.hindley@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg