Eurovision 2024's interval acts announced as speculation builds that ABBA will take to the stage
Speculation is building over whether ABBA will take to the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest later this week.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Sweden having won the contest for the first time back in 1974, when the country was represented by ABBA and the event was hosted by the UK in Brighton.
Now, rumours have been circulating that the iconic band could reunite for the contest on Saturday, 11 May – where Olly Alexander will represent the UK with his song, Dizzy, despite dividing audiences during the semi-finals this week.
Addressing the possibility of reuniting on stage, Benny Andersson told the BBC last year: "No way!" He added: "I don't want to and if don't want to, they won't go." Björn Ulvaeus stated: "We could celebrate 50 years of ABBA without us being on stage."
This year's contest will be presented by Malin Åkerman, 45, and Petra Mede, 54, in Malmö. Sweden is now hosting again after having won for a seventh time last year, equalling the record set by Ireland for the most wins in the history of Eurovision.
ABBA issued a statement last month marking the anniversary of their Eurovision victory. It read: "It's slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several.
"We see evidence of that every time one of us visits ABBA Voyage in London and it's because of this we can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world."
Martin Österdahl, 50, the executive supervisor of Eurovision, said recently that the annual contest will be "celebrating" ABBA later this week.
Although he reportedly wouldn't disclose any details, a source announced that the tribute will be "something never seen on TV before."
It's been teased that ABBA, which also comprises Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, could actually appear virtually. The band's virtual concert residency, ABBA Voyage, launched at the purpose-built ABBA Arena in London back in 2022.
Although details about the tribute are yet to be announced, organisers have confirmed some interval acts for the shows this week. They include last year's winner Loreen, 40, who first won Eurovision with her song Euphoria back in 2012.
She scooped the prize again last year, singing Tattoo, making her only the second-ever performer to have won the competition twice.
