ROXY BOURDILLON EXPLORES THE SWEDISH CAPITAL’S QUEER SCENE AHEAD OF EUROPRIDE 2018

STOCKHOLM

I’m at the ABBA museum, posing behind a lifesize cut-out of Björn, when it happens. Like a super trooper, I’m smiling, having fun, feeling very much like a number-one, and then the news breaks. For the first time in 35 years, one of the most iconic flare-wearing bands in pop history is squeezing into their satin jumpsuits once more. That’s right folks, ABBA is getting back together. Mamma mia, here we go again. I feel giddy and slightly confused. It’s just such an extraordinary coincidence. Have I somehow conjured an ABBA reunion into existence by stepping behind Fake Björn and humming Take A Chance On Me? Could the universe have sensed my lifelong devotion to Gimme Gimme Gimme A (Wo)Man After Midnight, sparking some kind of Freaky Friday time warp, resulting in ABBA grapevining their way back into the limelight where they belong?

In all seriousness, Chiquitita, I don’t know why I haven’t visited Stockholm sooner. I’ve been an ABBA superfan since I was knee-high to a dancing queen (#ThankYouForTheMusic), I consider meatballs delicious enough to merit their own food group (#ThankYouForTheMeatballs) and what self-respecting queer woman doesn’t feel most at home spending Sundays in IKEA (#ThankYouForTheFlatpacks)?

It’s EuroPride (europride2018. com) that finally brings me to the Swedish capital. This year the festival will be taking over Stockholm (and Gothenburg #TwoCitiesOneSummer) so I’m in town to scout out the scene in advance. I have to say, the ABBA museum (abbathemuseum.com) is all kinds of groovy. It’s one of the funnest attractions I’ve ever been to, chock full of interactive exhibits with the slogan, “Walk in. Dance out.” You can sing live onstage with a hologramatic ABBA, star in your own ABBA music video and even audition to join the band (tragically, I don’t think my squawking rendition of Lay All Your Love On Me quite makes the cut).