Kate Needs 23/8/26 Kate Needs 23/8/26

Disco Inferno Turns Back Time at the Top of the Ark

There are some venues that hold more than memories - the moment you walk through the doors, they have the ability to transport you straight back to another time.

For me, the Top of the Ark at the Arkaba Hotel is one of those places.

Arriving early on Friday night, I managed to secure a perfectly centred front-row position overlooking the dance floor. As I settled in, I couldn’t help thinking back to my late teens, when the Top of the Ark was somewhere we came to dance, socialise and enjoy the music of the era.

So there was something wonderfully fitting about returning all these years later for Fusion Pops Orchestra’s Disco Inferno - a show dedicated to the music of the 1970s.

And what a way to revisit it.

When Disco Meets an Orchestra

From the outset, Disco Inferno was bursting with energy, colour and talent.

This wasn’t simply a band playing a collection of 70s favourites. The combination of a full orchestra and an impressive ensemble of vocalists gave these familiar songs an entirely different dimension.

Strings, brass and rhythm combined with powerful vocals, sparkling costumes, colourful lighting and plenty of movement on stage to create a genuine sense of occasion.

The performers weren’t just singing the songs - they were having fun with them, and that enthusiasm quickly spread through the room.

For those of us who grew up with this music, there was an irresistible familiarity to the night. One song after another brought back memories, while younger audience members were discovering just why these songs have survived for generations.

A Dance Floor Made for Disco

One of the things I particularly loved about the setup was its inclusiveness.

There was plenty of seating around the outside of the dance floor, so you could sit back and enjoy the orchestra and vocals, or get up and dance when a favourite song came along.

It made the evening ideal for a broad range of ages and meant everyone could enjoy the show in their own way.

Of course, with music like this, staying seated for the entire evening was always going to be a challenge.

My personal highlight was It’s Raining Men. Big, joyous and completely over the top in exactly the way a disco anthem should be, it captured the spirit of the night perfectly.

Watch our video from It’s Raining Men following the review.

A Familiar Face Among the Performers

**Rachel Hedges - Fusion Pops Orchestra**

The evening also had a personal connection for me, as one of the singers performing with Fusion Pops was Rachel Hedges, whom I knew.

Rachel’s musical background goes back to childhood. She began singing with the Adelaide Girls Choir - now Young Adelaide Voices - at the age of 10, with her musical journey taking her as far as performing at Westminster Abbey during a European tour. She later performed with Orphean and Aurora before becoming part of Fusion Pops.

Seeing someone I knew amongst such an accomplished group of performers made an already memorable evening that little bit more special.

The Perfect Home for a Night of Nostalgia

It would be difficult to imagine a more appropriate Adelaide venue for Disco Inferno than the Arkaba Hotel.

The Top of the Ark has been part of Adelaide’s entertainment landscape for generations, and seeing that dance floor once again filled with people enjoying the music made the venue feel every bit as much a part of the show as the performers themselves.

Today, the Arkaba offers considerably more than live entertainment. You can make an entire evening - or weekend - of a visit, with its Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Sportys sports bar, six function spaces and 62 accommodation rooms all under the one roof. The Top of the Ark itself remains the hotel’s flagship entertainment and function space.

For me, though, Friday night was about returning to a room filled with memories.

I may have been sitting front and centre rather than arriving as the teenager I once was, but when that orchestra struck up and those familiar 70s songs filled the Top of the Ark, the years seemed to disappear remarkably quickly.

Fusion Pops Orchestra’s Disco Inferno was energetic, nostalgic and enormously entertaining - a sparkling celebration of the songs an entire generation grew up with.

And for a few hours on Friday night, the Top of the Ark became our dance floor all over again.

Kate Needs attended Disco Inferno for Limelight SA.

‘It’s Raining Men’ - Fusion Pops Orchestra

Photo/Video Credits: Kate Needs

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Kate Needs 20/7/26 Kate Needs 20/7/26

Dancing Queens take over the Top Of The Ark as The Flaming Sambucas bring ABBA to life

Flaming Sambucas - I Have A Dream @ Top Of The Ark

REVIEW‍ ‍

Storytelling, spectacular musicianship and a packed dance floor combine for an unforgettable celebration of one of pop music’s greatest catalogues.

Some shows entertain.

Others transport you to another time.

From the moment the house lights dimmed and the opening notes echoed through the Arkaba Hotel, it became clear that ABBA – I Have A Dream by The Flaming Sambucas was much more than a tribute show. It was a heartfelt celebration of the music, memories and magic that have made ABBA one of the world’s most enduring musical acts.

As the audience settled in, anticipation quickly gave way to smiles, singing and dancing. Before long, the dance floor was alive with couples and lifelong ABBA fans who simply couldn’t resist joining in.

More than a concert… a journey through ABBA’s remarkable story

One of the production’s greatest strengths is that it doesn’t simply move from hit to hit.

Guiding the audience throughout the evening, Terry Nicholas effortlessly combines keyboard brilliance, vocals and engaging narration, weaving together the story of ABBA’s extraordinary rise with fascinating anecdotes and historical moments.

Behind the performers, a spectacular LED backdrop displays archival photographs and video footage of the Swedish supergroup, creating a visual journey that perfectly complements the live performance. Rather than simply watching a concert, the audience experiences a celebration of ABBA’s legacy.

Vocals that capture the spirit of ABBA

Bringing Agnetha and Frida to life are Anna Kotlova and Katrina Quigley, whose vocals beautifully recreate the soaring harmonies that helped define ABBA’s unmistakable sound.

Rather than relying on imitation alone, both performers bring warmth, personality and genuine enjoyment to the stage. Their chemistry is infectious, and their interaction with both the audience and each other creates an atmosphere that feels authentic and joyful.

Multiple costume changes add another layer of visual excitement, paying homage to ABBA’s iconic stage style while keeping the production fresh from beginning to end.

A first-class band

Supporting the vocalists is an outstanding live band that delivers every classic with precision and energy.

Guitarist Jamie Kuijpers provides crisp rhythms and melodic solos, while drummer Paul Angas anchors every performance with rock-solid timing and infectious grooves that keep the dance floor moving all night.

Together with Terry Nicholas on keyboards, the musicians recreate the unmistakable ABBA sound while allowing the music to breathe naturally as a live performance rather than simply copying the original recordings.

Production values worthy of the music

The Flaming Sambucas have invested heavily in creating a complete entertainment experience.

Professional lighting, haze effects, multiple LED screens, quality sound and carefully choreographed staging transform the Arkaba into a genuine concert environment.

Adding another layer of energy are dancers Aylish and Shana, whose choreography and vibrant stage presence perfectly complement the music without ever overshadowing it.

The production feels polished, professional and remarkably well paced, with every visual element contributing to the atmosphere.

Where the magic really happens

Perhaps the biggest compliment any live show can receive isn’t found on stage at all.

It’s found on the dance floor.

Throughout the evening, more and more people left their seats to dance, sing and relive memories attached to songs that have stood the test of time. Friends danced together, strangers shared smiles, phones were lifted to capture favourite moments and applause regularly interrupted the performance.

Some memorable moments of a whole new level saw audience members being invited onto the stage, reminding everyone that this isn’t simply a performance to watch - it’s an experience to be part of.

That genuine connection between performers and audience is what elevates ABBA – I Have A Dream beyond many tribute productions.

The Limelight SA verdict

There are tribute bands that recreate the songs.

The Flaming Sambucas recreate the feeling.

With exceptional musicianship, polished vocals, engaging storytelling and production values that rival many theatre productions, ABBA - I Have A Dream captures the joy that has made ABBA’s music timeless for generations.

As the final encore concluded beneath the Arkaba’s mirror ball, the audience were still singing, still dancing and still smiling.

Perhaps that’s the greatest compliment any performer could hope for.

The Flaming Sambucas don’t simply perform ABBA’s music…

They remind us why we fell in love with it in the first place.

★★★★★ 5/5

Performer Credits

Terry Nicholas – Keyboards, vocals & narration

Anna Kotlova – Agnetha

Katrina Quigley – Frida

Jamie Kuijpers – Guitar

Paul Angas – Drums

Aylish – Dancer