About Chique
Frida
Chique are thrilled to be celebrating their 15-year anniversary this year.
In May 2009 the band performed their first ever gig in Wingham, near Canterbury, raising money for the local football club.
Since then, the band have gone on to become one of the most popular and sought-after ABBA tribute bands in the country, regularly performing sell-out shows across the UK and abroad.
It has been a very exciting and interesting 15 years, that seem to have flown by, and the band hope to be rocking audiences for many
more years to come.
The band members
Ainsley - Frida
Ainsley's career in music began in 2002, working as a solo singer in
local pubs and clubs.
Five years later, after joining a band, she met guitarist, Perry, who suggested they start an ABBA tribute band. The two of them worked
tirelessly to replicate ABBA's sound and look, designing and making costumes, and listening to ABBA songs over and over to get that perfect ABBA sound.
ABBA-obsessed Ainsley adds that personal touch by managing the band, answering enquiries and taking bookings, and also promotes the band on
social media.
"We believe in providing not only the best entertainment, but by dealing with
our clients directly, they get the best possible service."
Ainsley busied herself during lockdown writing and producing original music with fellow bandmate, Perry.
Their debut single is out now, check out the music video here:
Jade - Agnetha
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Jade joined the band in 2015, and has set an exemplary standard of commitment and enthusiasm to her performances with Chique.
Starting out as part-time cover for holidays and nights off, Jade has now taken over as the full-time Agnetha in the band, and is always excited (in her words)
'To get her ABBA on!'
With her stunning soprano vocals, Jade captures the true essence of Agnetha.
Jade has been extremely successful in her own right as a singer/songwriter in original's duo 'Jatinda,' teaming up with her partner, Paul, and also as a fantastic tribute to Kylie Minogue in 'Kylie on Show.'
Alongside her hectic schedule in the music business, Jade is also a qualified yoga teacher and is currently completing a course in psychology.
Perry - Bjorn
After many years of playing the guitar for various bands,
Perry is a true rock God!
"He is a fantastic guitarist and a real credit to the show,"
says band leader, Ainsley.
Over the years, Perry has worked in various other bands,
including two ABBA tribute bands.
He run his own glam rock bands, country & western band and punk band
and plays the 'Bjorn' part perfectly.
He's also a dab hand with a sewing machine and painstakingly
made all the band's stage costumes himself!
Perry enjoys writing and recording his own music; he and Ainsley have been working on an originals' album throughout lockdown,
with a new single out now.
Roger - Benny
Roger is delighted to be the latest member of the ABBA Chique family, playing his first gigs with the band in 2022.
Roger has played the piano from childhood; his first professional gigs performing in hotels at the age of 16.
In 2001, he chose to become a full-time musician, and hasn't stopped working since, playing in numerous function bands, jazz bands, as an accompanist to singers, and as a solo pianist.
He has been a regular on the London Hotel scene at The Savoy, Claridges, and The Lanesborough, played with acts including
Boney M and Hot Chocolate, and has performed with the likes of Tina May and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Roger is also MD and keyboard player for jazz and vintage pop band, Javajam.
Roger has been involved in numerous recordings over the years.
Here you can listen to him playing some jazz:
Mark - Ola
A true ambassador of playing the groove, Mark Claydon is known in musician’s circles as the man to hire for the fattest beats in town.
With an impressive and extensive CV including hit singles with Liberty X, a raft of Deep Funk 7"singles with The King Rooster, live shows with The Getup, Rhoda Dakar, Simply Dan, and tours with Soul legend Sir Joe Quarterman and Pama International, his playing is in high demand.
Specialising in old school Funk and Soul, Mark has years of live and studio experience and caters for a variety of demands, from Musicals to Break-beats, T.V Commercials to Classic Swing.
Past performances include appearances on ITV, live sessions for BBC Radio, work with EMI Records, Virgin Records, BMG and Dreamworks Productions.
His touring work has taken him to multiple countries across the world.
Learn more about Mark from his website
John - Rutger
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John started playing bass in the early 90s in a rock covers band, and wedding/function band at various Midlands venues.
During the 2000s, he joined an original pop/punk band for a handful of years. This morphed into acoustic jazzy pop for a couple of songwriters, which took him to Germany and France for the annual twinning festivals.
John put the excitement of live playing on hold for a number of years to work as a full-time paramedic in Hertfordshire, in Kent and even all the way
over in Australia.
He is now very happy to be home in the UK, and back in the game.
John has a real appreciation for the songwriting, musicianship, and timelessness of the ABBA songs, with Rutger Gunnarsson's style of bass playing, a definite influence.
Our other talented team members
Georgie joined the band in 2016, and has been a fantastic asset to the line-up. A trained dancer and a TV extra, Georgie has appeared on many programmes, including Holby and Eastenders.
Having been our full time Agnetha for the last 12 years, Leanna is enjoying taking some weekends off since becoming a Mum for the second time. Leanna joined Chique back in 2009 when the band first formed, and all of her hard work and dedication supplemented the success that Chique enjoys today.
Sarah, a school dance teacher and lead singer in acoustic duo 'Indigo' has been with Chique since 2011. In between her hectic schedule, she performs with the band, covering nights off and holidays.
Georgie joined the band in 2016, and has been a fantastic asset to the line-up. A trained dancer and a TV extra, Georgie has appeared on many programmes, including Holby and Eastenders.