Abba Day Party - Milton Keynes

I have always thought that a day disco or gig would be a great idea.  I like the idea of not having to spend money on hotels and that you can get home at a reasonable hour and not worry about missing the last bus or train.  Sadly, gigs have yet to adopt this idea.  But a few disco’s have been popping up all over the country with different genres and I wanted to try one.  My friend and I first discussed going to the 80’s one but we missed the cut off for tickets and so as we both loved Abba Voyage (read my review of Voyage here), we decided to have a go at the Abba Day Disco.

I won’t lie – it did feel weird getting ready so early to go out clubbing.  And as it was Abba, we both decided to go for over the top sequined/sparkly outfits.  The venue was Unit Nine in Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes.  This is an industrial estate.  Its literally just down the road from where I get my car MOT’ed.  Once we found the venue, we realised there is no car park.  There is very limited car parking on the street so I would suggest that people get lifts or a cab. It’s on our to-do for next time.

Once inside it was like an old warehouse, possibly much better suited to a rave than a day party for Abba fans.  However, the staff were lovely and very friendly and the music was fantastic.  I was so grateful it wasn’t full of kids. The advert had said suitable for all ages so I was worried as because it’s a daytime disco, people would bring their offspring. Luckily it was adults only.  

That being said, for some of you who have mobility problems, I think this venue is an issue.  The downstairs is completely accessible but there is no seating at all downstairs. If you want a chair you need to climb the ‘death stairs’ to a mezzanine platform which is a nightmare.  Staff/security agreed with me.  I did climb them to have a great view of the dance floor but if you need a toilet you have to negotiate the stairs once more.  I don’t drink alcohol any more but hate to think of anyone who may have had a few too many and have fallen down those stairs.  This was a sold-out event and downstairs got very crowded which was another reason I was glad to be upstairs.  They gave out light up and blow-up things for people to dance with but there was no way I was risking going back down those stairs for anything.

Let’s talk music.  I need to be clear now – it wasn’t all Abba .  I loved a lot of the 70’s disco music including Earth Wind and Fire, Donna Summer and even the enjoyed Grease megamix.  The Abba sections were great and well put together.  But can someone pretty please take the microphone away from the DJ?.  Let the music speak (see what I did there Abba fans?).  Firstly, it’s not clear what he is saying and secondly, he is talking all over the music we want to hear.  If he just concentrated on the music – this would be perfect.  Well, actually as a die-hard Abba fan, I would like to hear much more Abba and not just greatest hits.  Voulez-Vous is considered Abba’s disco album and If It Wasn’t For The Nights or As Good As New would have fitted in perfectly here.  Also, there was nothing from the latest album Voyage where there are at least two tracks that would be very danceable: Don’t Shut Me Down and my personal favourite, Just A Notion.  We did get the big hits including Money Money Money, SOS, Mamma Mia, One Of Us, Waterloo, Gimme Gimmie Gimmie, Super Trouper and even The Winner Takes It All. I would happily advise on suitable Abba tracks if they need an expert.

What makes this day disco work is the people who are coming.  They did not disappoint.  There were here to have a good time and boy did they!  I would say at least one third of people were in full Abba/sequinned attire but it is hard to see when its so very, very dark.  That gave the huge warehouse a great atmosphere.  The lasers, disco lighting and smoke machines also helped.  We decided to leave around 6.30pm (had been there since 3pm when it opened) as they started to play the same tracks again.  Yes, we did notice!

Did I have a good time?  Yes, I did. It was so much fun and we danced a lot.  Would I go again?  I think I would but would like the DJ to take on board the comments about talking and also adding some of the suggested tracks that they didn’t play.  Whilst I recognise that not every Abba hit is danceable – there is a lot more that could be added to be able to call it an Abba Day Disco.