Bjorn Identity set to rock the Fir Trees

ABBA fans will be looking forward to springtime when the world-famous Bjorn Identity tribute band grace the stage of the Fir Trees Hotel once again.

The Belfast-based quartet, who have been entertaining many a dancing queen for the past decade, make their long-awaited arrival to the town in March.

Karen Rush (AKA Agnetha) says the band are excited to be back in Strabane, their return being a serendipitous one.

“Everyone is looking forward to being back in Strabane, we always get a great crowd full of appreciative ABBA fans every time we play there. Funnily enough, the last gig we played as a band pre-lockdown was two years ago in the Fir Trees on March 12 and, just by chance, we’re back playing on the same date two years later.

“It wasn’t planned but is certainly a freaky coincidence,” she said.

“We began performing on the road again as a band last July and it felt so good to be back. We have missed the audience and they have certainly missed us. It’s been a real struggle getting back into the swing of things, but confidence is returning slowly but surely.

“Every time we perform in front of a live audience it gives us a lift and the audience are so appreciative which makes us feel so loved.”

Lockdown hasn’t been an easy time for the members, which include Karen’s husband Richard (Bjorn), Sophie Grier (Frida) and Ryan Greer (Benny). It has given them time to work on a live concert album as well as pursuing other things, not always musically.

“I took a job during lockdown working in a care home and my husband Richard became a van driver because we were unable to perform as a quartet. Between working, we also finessed the live album, a recording of a 2009 concert as well as joining the trend of Facebook Live performances, albeit as individual artists. We felt it was important to keep the audience entertained and let them know we hadn’t gone away.

“Sophie became a Tik Tok star, and she’s been doing very well at it, even enticing the rest of the band to join in on occasion. It was enjoyable but there is a lot involved in the TikTok world, you really need to work at it. It’s almost like a full time job.”

The Bjorn Identity weren’t the only ones busy during lockdown, with the real ABBA finally releasing music for the first time since the 1980s, an album called ‘Voyage’.

“It was almost as if ABBA knew that this is what we, the fans, needed,” Karen surmises, “It’s almost as if they did it on purpose, knowing we needed uplifting through these dark times.”

Karen says that as well as the old favourites, like Ring Ring, Waterloo, and Chiquita and many more, fans can expect some new material.

“We have incorporated a song from the new album called ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ which has gone down a storm so far and a song of our own called ‘I’ve Been Waiting For You’ which is a tribute to our legions of fans.

“We’ve been waiting for them to return so that we can entertain, and they’ve been waiting for us as well.”

Finally, asked why the music of ABBA has endured Karen ponders, “I don’t think the band themselves could answer that to be honest. If I had to guess I would say it has to do with fans’ fascination with the band and their relationships which endured many difficulties between marriages and divorces. As for the music, some of the lyrics might be sad but there’s a euphoria about the music itself which keeps bringing people back.”