When this once-in-a-lifetime show was announced in December last year, all Roxers felt very proud of Roxette. I mean how cool is that that they perform at the Sydney Opera House! OK, the gang didn’t play inside the building, but still, what an honour to have the chance to do a concert at the forecourt of such an iconic venue. Per thought so, too: “To play this show on the steps of the Sydney Opera House is an absolute honour and is sure to be a major highlight of the tour!”
It was raining cats and dogs during the day, but fortunately, it stopped by the time Roxette got on stage. Everyone was impressed by the view all around, both the crowd and the band. From the stage the Sydney Opera House and the beautiful audience on the steps could be seen and people who went to party with Roxette got to see a very cool stage set in front of them, as well as huge screens. The only thing I didn’t really understand why the screens showed all what happened on the colorful stage in black and white. Never mind. The stage background was different versus what we saw so far on this tour leg, but the lighting design was the very same.
The place looked so fantastic that Per even joked with the crowd they (the band) wouldn’t mind if the crowd turned their backs towards them to watch the beautiful view. Actually, the view was so stunning Per and Mister Magnus couldn’t help taking a selfie in the middle of the stage with the Opera House in the background. It was before they started to play Crush On You, when they usually have their conversation about Magnus’s fave Rox album. They didn’t give that discussion a miss this time either.
The acoustics of the site were quite good, so not only the band, but the crowd sounded awesome, too.
Regarding the setlist, it seems the more steps are involved, the shorter the setlist gets. The Heart Shaped Sea and Almost Unreal were left out, so the band charmed the audience with only 16 songs.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE UPDATE: Wow, what a gig! The most beautiful setting ever? Could be! Great show tonite, super crowd and no rain!!!! Who can ask for more? Thanx for showing up, all you beautiful people!
See you Friday at the Quantas Credit Union Arena. Prepare to kick ass! /P.
Can you believe that only 2 shows are left on this leg of the tour? Next gig is on Friday (27th February) at Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney.
Articles and photos
Instagram: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24;
gettyimages.com (photos)
thedailytelegraph.com.au (review)
amnplify.com.au (photos)
dailymail.co.uk (review with photos)
theaureview.com (photos)
smh.com.au (review)
maytherockbewithyou.com (review; photos)
Troy Constable Photography (beautiful photos)
Videos
Spending My Time
It Must Have Been Love
Watercolours In The Rain / Paint
Fading Like A Flower
Crush On You
Joyride
Listen To Your Heart
Instavideos:
Per’s ”Good evening, Sydney!”
Spending My Time: 1; 2;
It Must Have Been Love: 1; 2;
How Do You Do!
Fading Like A Flower
Christoffer’s Waltzing Matilda performance
Joyride: 1; 2;
Listen To Your Heart: 1; 2;
The Look: 1; 2; 3;
The Look from a far-away balcony
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)
Watercolours In The Rain / Paint
Fading Like A Flower
How Do You Do!
It Must Have Been Love
Dressed For Success
Dangerous
Joyride
Extra:
Listen To Your Heart
The Look