Roxette - Monday 13th July - O2 Arena

A welcome return to the UK for Swedish hitmakers Roxette. The lower half of the O2 Arena was packed (good to see for a Monday night) and we had managed to nab half-decent seats in the 4th Row.

The show started with the slightly dis-concerning sight of Marie Fredriksson being led to her seat on stage, clearly walking with difficulty. Obviously, she has overcome a major illness over recent years and it is fair to say she was shown a lot of love from the crowd. Marie remained seated for the whole show, whilst partner-in-crime Per Gessle took on the more active roles in running around the stage, encouraging the crowd plus amusing band intros.

Vocally, Marie took a little while to hit top gear, but after a few songs the spine-tingling voice that gave us power ballads such as "It Must Have Been Love" & "Listen to Your Heart" was back to it's recognisable self. The musicians in the band were excellent too and some improvised AC/DC guitar licks plus a storming "God Save The Queen" added to the fun.

Per likes to throw plectrums into the crowd during most songs, although it was a shame that whoever was sitting centrally in row 10 must have got pretty much all of them - maybe we was aiming for someone specific!

It is listening to a set such as this you realise what great material Roxette have. I particularly enjoyed "Fading Like A Flower" and "Dangerous". The sing-a-long from the audience suggested I was not alone.

Setlist
Sleeping in My Car
The Big L.
Stars
Spending My Time
Crash! Boom! Bang!
Crush on You
She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)
The Heart Shaped Sea
Watercolours in the Rain / Paint
Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)
How Do You Do!
It Must Have Been Love
Dressed for Success / Dangerous
Joyride (with "God Save the Queen" intro)
+
Listen to Your Heart
The Look

Roxette - Tuesday 15th November - Wembley Arena

So, 17 years after their last Wembley appearance, the promoter books Swedish stars Roxette at Wembley Arena for the same evening as England v Sweden at Wembley Stadium. Genius! Thankfully, the smallish football crowd didn't hamper our journey to a pretty much sold-out gig too much.

Support was provided by Darren Hayes from Savage Garden - not my cup of tea, so after a cursory glance to acknowledge another "Chart Act", it was off to the bar!

Taking our seats about 18 rows back from the front, it was apparent that many people had travelled long distances to be at the show. If was also clear that Roxette attract a very diverse audience. At least everyone had grown up from the "teeny-bop" crowd from 2004 !!

The show itself was excellent - the set not wildly different from the Per Gessle solo shows also detailed on this blog. As expected, most of the backing band were the same as from that show, although  obviously Marie Fredrikson adds a great deal vocally and with a striking iconic image.

One of the highlights for me was a heavy electric version of the National Anthem as the guitarist was introduced  - last heard in this form by me at the same venue by a certain Mr P Townshend in 1989 !

Rumours are for another London show next year - venue and cost permitting, that would be fine by me.

Setlist
Dressed For Success
Sleeping In My Car
The Big L.
Wish I Could Fly
Only When I Dream
She’s Got Nothing On (But The Radio)
Perfect Day
Things Will Never Be The Same
It Must Have Been Love
Opportunity Nox
7twenty7
Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)
Crash! Boom! Bang!
How Do You Do!
Dangerous
Band presentation + God Save The Queen
Joyride
+
Watercolours in the rain
Spending My Time
The Look
+
Listen To Your Heart
Church Of Your Heart

Per Gessle - Monday 4th May - O2 Academy, Islington

So, a trip to Islington for Per Gessle - the male half of Roxette, for probably his first ever UK solo show.

The show had been downgraded from the Shepherd's Bush Empire and to be honest, probably suited a venue this size. That said, it was a fine evening of catchy pop tunes, with a fair selection of Roxette classics included. Most of the crowd appeared to be of Scandinavian origin and Per was greeted with true "hero-like" worship. Great fun, although is was a shame that Marie Fredrikson (other half of Roxette) chose the gig in Holland a few days later to be surprise guest!

Setlist (Order not 100% certain!):
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
DROWNING IN WONDERFUL THOUGHTS ABOUT HER
STUPID
THE PARTY PLEASER
WISH I COULD FLY
SHE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
7TWENTY7
I HAVE A PARTY IN MY HEAD
LATE, LATER ON
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
DO YOU WANNA BE MY BABY?
OPPORTUNITY NOX
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE
CHURCH OF YOUR HEART
DANGEROUS
JOYRIDE
+
C'MON
HEY MR DJ
ARE YOU AN OLD HIPPIE, SIR?
THE LOOK
IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE
+
SLEEPING IN MY CAR
(I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN' STONE
QUEEN OF RAIN