Celebrating Matilda Lindell’s 18 Years on Stage with ‘ABBA The Concert’

Swedish singer Matilda Lindell marks 18 years on stage. Known for her role as Agnetha Fältskog in “ABBA The Concert,” she’s headed to Gary for a 7 p.m. concert at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Live Venue.

Performance Highlights

“ABBA The Concert” is a top ABBA tribute tour featuring an all-Swedish cast, formed in 1999. Lindell, who joined at 26, can perform both female lead roles. The group often includes original ABBA musicians, with Elisabet Karlsson or Mia Ternström as additional vocalists and Martin Håkansson and Matte Andersson on keyboards and guitar.

The 90-minute concert features ABBA hits like “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes All,” and “Waterloo.” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” and “Dancing Queen” are also part of the playlist.

Iconic Costumes

“When we do the number ‘Waterloo,’ we always get some extra attention from the audience because of our costumes.”

Lindell highlights the iconic costumes designed by Owe Sandström for the original ABBA. The painted cat designs became famous during ABBA’s 1974 Eurovision launch and tour. The costumes are notable for their authenticity, using original fabrics and designs.

Lindell shared that Sandström’s idea came when his Burmese cat jumped onto the table with Agnetha. Despite being heavy under stage lights, these costumes prioritize authenticity over comfort.

Lindell’s Career and Concerns

Lindell began performing at 16 on Swedish TV show “Tre kronor.” She enjoys both stage and screen work and looks forward to more roles in television and film.

She expresses concerns about stage conditions during live performances. Lindell prefers natural fog over theatrical haze for vocal comfort, although stage effects are often unpredictable.

Event Details

Tickets for “ABBA the Concert” start at $33.15. The show is reserved seating for audiences 21 and older. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, author, and radio host who can be reached at [email protected].