Disco balls are spinning and ABBA’s infectious melodies are once again taking center stage, but this time, the celebration stretches far beyond the dance floors of Europe and the United States. From the pulsing nightlife of Perth and Sydney to the bustling supermarkets of Hanoi, the enduring power of disco—and ABBA’s unique place within it—is being felt in ways both familiar and surprising.
In Australia, anticipation is high for a pair of high-energy DJ dance parties set to light up Perth and Sydney in early 2026. Dubbed “Gimme Gimme Disco,” these events promise 2.5 hours of non-stop classics from ABBA, Donna Summer, Cher, and The Bee Gees, all delivered by a live DJ who knows exactly how to get a crowd moving. According to local event listings, the Perth edition will take place at The Aberdeen Hotel, while Sydney’s party will unfold at Home The Venue, each making room for hundreds of dancing queens, music lovers, and anyone who can’t resist the pull of a glittering disco anthem.
“Gimme Gimme is a DJ-based disco party open to both dancing queens and music lovers,” reads the event description, emphasizing the all-inclusive, no-holds-barred spirit of disco’s heyday. “Think high energy, confetti and glowing lights.” For those eager to secure a spot, tickets go on public sale on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11 a.m.—with waitlist members in Sydney getting an exclusive 24-hour head start. There’s no strict dress code, but attendees are encouraged to embrace the era’s signature style: bell-bottoms, platform boots, sequins, and oversized sunglasses are all fair game.
The structure of the night is as carefully choreographed as the music, with doors opening well before the first beat drops. In Perth, for example, music kicks off an hour after doors open, giving guests ample time to settle in, grab a drink, and scope out the dance floor. In Sydney, the doors open 30 minutes before the show begins, setting the stage for a night of nostalgia and celebration. These events aren’t just about the music; they’re about reliving disco’s golden age, when clubs like Studio 54 and movies like Saturday Night Fever made every night feel like a fever dream of color, light, and sound.
But what is it about disco—and ABBA in particular—that continues to captivate audiences across continents and generations? The answer, it seems, is as layered as the genre itself. Disco emerged from the soul, funk, and R&B scenes of the early 1970s, with roots in the Motown and Philly Sound traditions. As Salon reports, disco was initially embraced by marginalized communities in New York City—Black, Latino, and queer revelers who found freedom and joy on the dance floor. By the late ’70s, disco had exploded into the mainstream, propelled by the chart-topping hits of artists like Donna Summer and the Bee Gees, and immortalized in pop culture by John Travolta’s iconic turn in Saturday Night Fever.
ABBA, the Swedish supergroup whose shimmering harmonies and catchy hooks defined an era, has long enjoyed a special place in the disco pantheon. Their songs—“Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo”—are instantly recognizable, and their influence can be felt in everything from Broadway musicals to modern pop hits. Yet, as Salon explores in a recent feature, ABBA’s reach extends far beyond the expected. In Vietnam, for instance, ABBA’s music—and one song in particular—has become a cultural phenomenon.
“‘Happy New Year’ by ABBA is indeed a very popular song in Vietnam,” wrote Moa Malmström, an intern at the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi, in an email to Salon. “It is frequently played around the New Year period and has become something of a seasonal staple. For example, it is often performed on national television during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) celebrations.”
The story of how “Happy New Year” became Vietnam’s unofficial anthem for both the Western and Lunar New Year is a fascinating one, rooted in history and shaped by politics. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the country faced years of embargoes and limited access to Western media. Sweden, which had supported North Vietnam during the war and was the first Western nation to recognize the country’s new government, became a rare conduit for Western culture. As journalist Uyên Đỗ explained, “ABBA is one of the few [bands accepted] because we as a country didn’t have a lot of hostility against the Swedes because they were advocates against the Vietnam War.”
The result? ABBA’s music, particularly “Happy New Year,” became woven into the fabric of Vietnamese life. The song is played everywhere in the weeks leading up to both New Year celebrations—on TV broadcasts, in supermarkets, and even in classrooms. “I used to actually ask the kids every year, ‘What’s the new year song?’ And they’re like, ‘ABBA,’” said Chris Tran, a Vietnamese American educator living in Vietnam. “I would play ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and say, ‘This is a traditional new year song in the West.’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, that doesn’t sound fun or good.’ They don’t even believe me. They reject my expertise.”
For many Vietnamese, “Happy New Year” is more than just a festive tune. It’s become a symbol of hope, nostalgia, and even resilience. “When I listen to ABBA’s ‘Happy New Year’ I feel this sense of nostalgia and calm and understanding,” said Đỗ. “It’s a very sad song, obviously, but it feels comforting to know that people 45 years ago felt the same anxiety as I do now. It’s just kind of human nature.”
The song’s bittersweet lyrics—“May we all have a vision now and then / Of a world where every neighbor is a friend”—resonate deeply in a country that has weathered war, division, and rapid change. Some have even suggested moving away from the song in favor of more traditional Vietnamese Tết music, but for many, its poignancy is exactly what makes it meaningful. “Some people are suggesting we move away from ABBA’s ‘Happy New Year’ and move toward more local Tết music,” Đỗ said. “I don’t really relate to any of these songs because Tết as a holiday in Vietnam is meant to represent prosperity and happiness. You’re expected to welcome the new year with open arms; I don’t feel that. I feel a lot of anxiety about the future, especially with how things are going climate-wise and politically.”
Back in Australia, as disco fans prepare to don their sequins and step into the spotlight at Gimme Gimme Disco, they’re joining a global community united by a shared love of music that transcends borders and generations. Whether it’s the thumping bass of “Stayin’ Alive” on a Sydney dance floor or the wistful strains of “Happy New Year” echoing through a Hanoi supermarket, disco’s enduring appeal is a testament to its power to bring people together—even in the most unexpected ways.
As the world readies to welcome 2026, it’s clear that ABBA’s music—and the spirit of disco—still has the power to unite, uplift, and inspire. Glitter, nostalgia, and a dash of bittersweet hope: sometimes, that’s just what the world needs.
