En vacker sommar – thank you to Per Gessle & Co from the international friends!

21+1 concerts all around Sweden, taking a turn to Norway and Finland as well, 27 Per-penned songs played live in this or that form, 8 most talented musicians giving at least 120% energy each night on stage, more than 120000 loud fans of all ages having fun off stage from at least 25 countries, a tireless crew setting up everything perfectly for each gig, 2+1 great support acts, 2+1 lovely surprise guests. All this resulted in having uncountable wonderful memories of Per Gessle’s En vacker kväll tour! Unbelievable that this journey is over, but visst var det en vacker sommar!

After Mr. G’s beautiful words he posted when the Swedish part of the tour ended, I thought I would collect some thank you notes from as many ”international adorable friends” as possible. Some of them travelled thousands of kilometers to Sweden to see at least 1 or 2 shows, others attended more concerts and there were even a handful of hardcores who saw almost all shows.

Take this , as well as the international friends’ words below as a HUGE THANK YOU for the whole tour! It goes to all involved on and off stage!

Sooooo, här kommer alla ”thank you” notes på en och samma gång!

Argentina

Brenda & Lionel & Juanjo & Roxana: ”We just wanna say a BIG thanx to Per and the whole band and all the people working around him. We love them. Per you mean for us more than you can imagine. Thanx for a great summer. See you around.”

Cristian Navarro: ”My first time in Sweden, a BEAUTIFUL country and also in Per Gessle concerts in Stockholm and Borgholm something magical, dream fulfilled. I promise to return as many times as I can in my life. Thanks Per for giving us your music, it was a pleasure to be part of the international front row, an incredible summer, a dreamy summer. I’ll be waiting for the next tour. THANKS PER, greetings from Buenos Aires!”

Diego Carballido: ”It was so emotional and such a blast of fun to be able to witness this so amazing, relax and such a party tour! Seeing Per so confident, enjoying the music he does… certainly a gift for myself. Gracias Totales!!”

Jorge Coyle: ”Once again your music allowed me to enjoy a great time with friends. It was fantastic to be able to fulfill the dream of being in a concert in Borgholm.”

Marcos Carballo: ”My first trip to Sweden, my first Per Gessle concert in Borgholm, then Halmstad, it was amazing, magical, a great summer, unforgettable, a dream come true, Thanks from Argentina.”

Maria Francovig Valero: ”Thank YOU Per for always keeping the magic in every single concert I attended this summer! Everytime you hit the stage with “På promenad…” you would light up the night and I was transported into a new dimension till you would wave goodbye! You made fantastic and unforgettable memories (once again!!!) that I will treasure in my heart for as long as I live! Special mention to the band who was always in top shape and rocked the stage in every single gig! Each and every concert I attended was a piece of the endless Swedish summer I wanna live in! You are the Sommartider and we don’t really need to bring the sun ‘cos YOU ARE THE SUN, Per!!! *Ingen sommar utan PG* Thank you again for such a wonderful summer, it’s been a pleasure to have been part of the international first row! And as I told you, all the way from Argentina, always by your side! *Already thinking ’bout next summer!*”

Myriam Garcia: ”It was long time planning where I wanted to go, where I could go… I had to fit many places on the schedule, and finally the answer arrived: Helsingborg and Örebro. I prepared my flag, “EN VACKER KVINNA FRÅN ARGENTINA” and wished to be in the front row and you can see me… my dreams came true, I was there singing along and those were the most amazing vacker kväll ever…  wish you had a great time having your hardcore fans singing, clapping, dancing, it is pure love coming and going! Thank you!”

Roxana: ”Beautiful tour it filled my soul of joy. I´ll treasure it forever in my heart. Per you are the sunshine, You give all on stage thank you! I hope you can feel we give you back all good vibes and love. Thanx to each member of the band for being so wonderful, so profesional and good people. Special thanx to Helena for her warm heart, angel voice and unique style. Lots of love and hugs from Argentina!”

Sebastián Baioni: ”Thank you guys for this fantastic tour. I had the opportunity to attend two gigs that meant a lot of fun, from crossing a dark forest in the middle of the night and sleeping in the open air in Borgholm, queuing all day, meeting friends from here and there, to enjoying the concerts. It’s always great to be back in Sweden, especially if there is a Roxette, GT or Solo tour.”

Australia

Daniel Rezmann: ”Thanks to Per and the band for a great tour. My wife and I made our journey from Australia to see 3 shows and meet friends from tours past. We both had a great time seeing some songs live for the first time and really enjoying the classics as well. As always, for me a highlight is watching Christoffer do his thing, I got a thumbs up from him after his intro in Halmstad, which was cool and we were able to meet again and have a brief chat after the concert where he remembered me from Sydney.”

Gaby Hildebrandt: ”Dear Per, what an amazing time I had! A tour is always a great opportunity to meet my magic friends on the road! Thank you, Per and band members, for all the fun we had dancing, jumping and singing along at the concerts, for your smiles, and the time you took for pictures and chatting! You guys are one of a kind! It was worth every kilometer to travel! Let’s do it all again soon!”

Austria

Manuela & Maria: ”Dear Per, thank you so much for the wonderful concerts that we could enjoy, we can’t wait to see you again!”

Azerbaijan

See Evgeny & Co’s message in ”Russia” section

Belgium

Ann De Vos: ”Thank you all for the awesome tour!! Hope to see you on the road again soon.”

Brazil

Flávia Rocha: ”Hej, Per! Thank YOU and your amazing band and crew for the incredible summer tour! I could only attend Göteborg and Stockholm gigs; however, they are going to be in my heart and mind forever! I flew all the way from Brasil just to see you perform with your happiness and energy. Thanks for the amazing friends we make along the way! Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing you live… I just feel lucky and grateful and overwhelmed with love! Hope to see you down the road again someday!”

Bulgaria

Ivelina: ”I want to thank you for keep playing these beautiful songs and for being the reason for us – the fans to gather together and to share beautiful moments, memories and stories. These are not simply concerts to us… it’s more about keeping the tradition alive, showing our respect, love and enjoying the chance to be closer to the artists we adore.”

Czech Republic

Barbora Kolmackova: ”Thank you Per for making this summer unforgettable, I really appreciate your respect for the fans and it was great to see you smiling and enjoying every minute on stage. So much energy… Lots of love and I´m looking forward to seeing you next time! Special thanks to the band in top top shape!”

Petra: ”Dear Per and the band, thank you for another fantastic tour! I was so happy to see you again. I was in Stockholm, Borgholm and Halmstad and it was so amazing! Best Wishes to you all!”

Valeria Zvarova: ”Hej Per, inga ord räcker till att uttrycka min tacksamhet för att du ville åka på turné o göra oss lyckliga igen. Du är grym på scenen, ger precis allt, både du o ditt otroligt duktiga band! Det var en upplevelse utan desslike! Du är vår hjälte, dina låtar betyder otroligt mycket o så sant som det är sagt – ingen sommar utan Gessle! Så nu ser jag fram emot nya plattan o DVD:n o mycket mer framöver, du sviker oss aldrig, det vet vi! Du är bäst! Tusen, tusen tack!!”

Denmark

Stina Tholander: ”Kære Gessle & hele bandet, Igen endnu en sommer tilbragt med verdens bedste venner og kolde drinks, god musik og ture ud i det blå. Når I turnere ved vi at festen er der! Jeg mødtes med alle vennerne som er en del af mit liv pga din musik, Gessle! Igen tusind tak for en fed sommer og mange fede minder!”

England

Ailsa Plain: ”To Per and his most fantastic, enigmatic band! Thank you so much for an amazing summer full of beautiful memories captured whilst listening to your sunny melodies. Days like these are what makes life pretty special. Looking forward to whatever comes next!”

Finland

Mari Pudas: ”Thank you, Per & band! Summer without Gessle isn’t real summer.”

Tiina Pitkänen: ”Tack för den fantastiska turnén, tack för alla vackra kvällar i Sverige och Finland. Det enda jag skulle ha ändrat var vädret men vi kan inte få allt. Vi ses på nästa turné!”

Germany

Andreas & Riccardo: ”Hej Per och hela gänget, wow wow och wow igen!!! Ja, att folk blir kär på dajtingsajter har man hört. Men att man kan hitta ett sånt vackert band där hade vi inte förväntat oss. Vi hade hur kul som helst och följde med på 7 konserter. Det var verkligen en JOYRIDE och vi haden dom bästa SOMMARTIDER vi kunde få (även om vi hade regn då och då) tillsammans med dom andra magic friends. Vi tänker kommer tillbaka nästa år och göra det igen. Er du/ni med? Tack för alla vackra kvällar och underbara minnen…”

Anika:Thank you so much for a wonderful evening in Halmstad! And most of all for another summer at the beautiful swedish west coast. We travelled from Germany with my dad as a babysitter for the kids during the Halmstad gig. Love Anika”

Christina, Sandra, Isabelle & Johanna: ”We are all magic Friends – getting together trough your music! Going on vacation together, sharing the same music and some wonderful memories and finding new friends. The Halmstad-gig was full of emotions – laughing, crying, loving! Thanks for that! It hopefully won’t be our last! Thx for your Music! We love you sooo much! Greetings from good old Germany: The Tussilagen”

Christine Klinger: ”Tack så mycket för den vacker kväll i Stockholm!!!!!”

Doreen Jurack: ”Thank you for the great tour. I had 5 concerts and every single concert is unforgettable for me.”

Ivan Kelava & Gyöngyvér Simon (Hungary): ”Hej Per, hej band, thanks for this great summer. We both enjoyed the shows we have seen on your tour through Sweden. And we really felt  the “Good Karma” from all of you. Tack så mycket. Hope to see you soon again!”

Jana Günther: ”Thank you for this tour and for your music, which brings so many people together. Keep going on with doing what you love. We will love it too, for sure.”

Rickie & Cabby & Chrissie & Lisa & Christina: ”Tack för några vackra kvällerna, PPP!”

Rickie med Knut, Elisa och Lukas: ”Äntligen tillsammans med min familj. Tack så mycket för en underbar kväll i Malmö.”

Sabine Seyfarth: ”It was a great tour with so many memorable moments, lovely songs and surprising new versions of them! I loved the vibe and the laughing! Thanks & please do it again!”

Sabrina & Norbert Becker: ”A dream comes true – live gig in Borgholm slott. Thank you for 3 wonderful concerts!”

Sandra Knospe: ”I was lucky enough to see 20 magnificent gigs plus Smygpremiär. What a tour, what a band!!! Every minute was a firework of emotions. I’d wish the band could stay in that constellation. They fit so well together and AQD, Malin-My and Ola are a real benefit. Thanks to everyone who was involved for all the joy you gave me during this summer. Yet another marvelous tour to remember. Hope to see you all again somewhere.”

Stephanie Zogbaum & Thomas Frenzel: ”Hey Per and Crew! Thank you for the best shows in Borgholm and Malmö. It was wonderful. Borgholm is the best place ever! Thank you for the best Music ever!”

Tanja: ”Hej Per! This time it was only possible for me to see the smygpremier… but I enjoyed every second!!! Thanks for ‘En vacker kväll’!”

Tina, Sabine and Chrissie: ”Music is the universal language. It brings people closer together. (Ella Fitzgerald) Thank you for making this summer special! Cheers!”

Hungary

Patrícia Peres (RoxBlog Team): ”Loved each and every second of all 16+1 shows I could attend! You made it yet another best summer of my life! Per, your music is the most vacker thing in the world and I can’t get enough of seeing and hearing you live! Loved all good old wonderful band members (Angelvoice Helena, Keyboards Magician Clarence, Guitar God Chris, Stand-up Comedian Magnus) as much as the fab new musicians (Violinrocker Malin-My, Drumkiller Andreas, Pedal Steel Guitar God Ola). What a Beautiful Band! Also thanx a lot to the entire crew for their great work, as well as Åsa’s neverending kindness and for filming so much. Tusen tack and lots of love to you all! See you soon again! I hope!”

Israel

Ilya Hirschberg (Germany): ”I can’t express my gratefulness to Per and all the people, who were responsible for organising and bringing this amazing tour to life. All the band members and the music you create are very inspiring! You excite people, bring them together, touch their very souls and make hearts beating faster. Your art provokes the best feelings and emotions (which come at once) – and this is priceless indeed. Please, don’t stop bringing the light with you! Special thnx to Hella & Malin-My for striking sparks!”

Italy

Valeria Felluca: ”I had the luck to attend two awesome gigs: the first one in Helsingborg and the one in Örebro. I loved every minute of the shows: needless to say, Per’s charisma charmed the crowd and he proved he’s indeed the king of stage! He was supported by his amazing band who kept the energy high and I want to thank each person involved in the shows for their great job.”

the Netherlands

Gerdy: ”Hello Per, What should I say, so unbelievable to see you and your great band in Halmstad on 11 august. It was there for the first time I saw a solo concert of you in your own country. Thank you very much for the fantastic evening and the great experience. I was really happy to be there. And I like the songs you played very much. For me the highlights are the duet with Lars Winnerback and Sommartider. It was a beautiufll night. Thank you very much, from the Netherlands”

Remco Verhaaf: ”Only one concert for me this time, but what an evening it was at Skansen! Great to finally hear the new songs live and very refreshing to hear the “oldies” in a new style, with special mention for the addition of Malin-My’s violin and Ola’s pedal steel guitar. I wouldn’t mind seeing and hearing some more of that in the (near) future!”

Norway

Monica Pettersen: ”Tusen takk Per & co for en fantastisk, magisk kveld i Stockholm ? Sommeren blir alltid best med gode venner og PG på scenen. Gleder meg til fortsettelsen. Takk”

Pakistan

Sara H.: ”When Per Gessle announced his 2017 summer tour, there suddenly was hope all around. It felt different – a good different. The band got updated, the genre got a little twist and Per Gessle gave a very heart-touching approach to things. The tour didn’t only turn out to be musically magical – it was another chance for fans & old friends to catch up with one another and just have a great time, together. I was in Borgholm & Malmö, and my my Per, you’re loved and admired all over the world, you know?”

Poland

Basia Konarzewska: ”Tack för en väcker sommar, Per! That was another awesome joyride from jolly Tylösand to Eskilstuna and yet another wonderful Juni, Juli, Augusti we had.  And the most important – thanks for bringing us all together – old friends, new friends, those living just across the street and those coming from the other side of the world were united again in Sweden, laughing together, crying together and sharing all the emotions. Such wonderful time wouldn’t have been possible without you!”

Gosia Puterman: ”Hej Per! THANKS to You I had the best Joyride of my life! Meet and greet in the wood, staying in your wonderful Hotel Tylösand (you have great staff!!!), dinner in Leifs Lounge and the best concert ever! WISHES COME TRUE!”

Tomasz Wysocki (RoxBlog Team): ”My first ever Per-concert was Malmö in 2007 during En händing man tour. I feel like coming a full circle and seeing 4 gigs during 2017 – ten years older, not so wiser. Thanks Per for hitting the road again, for all your energy and music. Please promise it won’t be long before we see each other again!”

Romania

Andreea, Andrei, Adrian, Andreea and Cristina: ”Thank you for your outstanding performance at Eskilstuna, especially for the song Forsta pris! It’s a pleasure to see such you and your whole band in such a good mood and so energetic! Your music sounds better and better. Best regards from your Romanian fans!”

Russia

Anya Kulikova: ”Thank you for the unforgettable emotions! The concert in Borgholm castle was much more perfect than I imagined! I want to thank everyone: dear Mr. G, for sharing with us one more time your amazing songs, all the band for their magnificent performances on musical instruments, ‘Good Harvest’ and ‘Strandels’ for such great support. And one more BIGGEST thank you goes to Helena who sang Marie’s party in ‘IMHBL’ with great respect and tenderness. Thanks for the beautiful memories! LOVE IS ALL!”

Evgeny Perekopskiy & Alla Remizova & Alexandra Konyaeva & Anar Gasimov & Kristina Bordovskih & Julia Krainova & Valentina Kolpakova & Valeria Miroshnichenko: ”Oj oj! Today is the 2nd day after your tour ended and we’re already missing you and the band and de vackra kvällarna. Spasibo to Helena for her smiles and voice, to Malin for her humble charm and magic violin, to Magnus for his 1000 talents, to Clarence for his priceless contribution, to Ola for his sexy moves and incredible guitar performance, to Andreas for energy and virtuous drum sessions, to Christoffer for his friendly nature and inimitable guitar play, and to you, Per, for everything that you created and gave to us as a gift! See you down the road, With Neverending Love from your Russian, Ukrainian and Azeri fans”

Kristina Bordovskih: ”Oh God! I’m so happy I joined at least the last two shows! It was like to meet the best friends after a long parting! I haven’t seen Per and the band since august ’15. So yes! That were exactly my emotions! I really loved the show! Adorable setlist and wonderful sound and Helena’s angelic voice and Per’s special moves but first of all soulful atmosphere! Thank you for my new rox event that I gonna remember! I love you all guys! Including everyone on stage and behind! You are my magic friends!”

Yana Tarasova (living in Sweden): ”I’m blessed you came into my life. I’m blessed you came to stay forever. You light my world with love tonight. Tonight has no ending ever. Please take my gratitude and love. You have them any time and season. I hope you’ll always have in mind your pure magic is simply healing.”

Spain

Judith S. (RoxBlog Team): ”It was the first Per summer tour that I joined and loved it!! For me it started with the “live preview” at Leifs, already then I realised we were in for a treat. I loved the combination of songs, slow and fast, Per solo, GT, Roxette, and the new arrangements. There were too many favourite parts for me to mention here, actually, after my first concert and knowing which songs come when, more or less, I was looking forward to all moments in the show. I think I would like to mention the songs where Helena was singing, which she turned into very special moments. It was also great to see the rest of the known faces in the band as well as the new ones.  I think they all gave the songs a fantastic touch. I really look forward to the 2nd album of this “vacker” concept/project, and would love for more concerts to take place, maybe in a calm (=theatres) setup.. but hej, here I am, asking again. Let’s go back to the thanks. Thank you for the magical evenings that I had the pleasure to spend listening to the awesome band and great Per!! You rock!!”

Mariana Gumuzio: ”I must confess that I didn’t like the idea of listening to Roxette songs live again knowing that probably we will never hear Marie singing them again, but as I told Helena, that feeling changed completely after the first song. The way you all treated those songs made the shows even more special! I loved ‘It Must Have Been Love’ version it sounded different, fresh and great! I hope you repeat this kind of shows in the future! Thanks to all of you for the incredible work you’ve done and I hope to see you all again in the future. Mariana alias ‘txiqui’, from Spain.”

Marta Artesero: ”I just want to say “thank you” for this tour which has been amazing!!! You all do a great job up on stage. I had so much fun together with my magic friends!! It’s always so great to travel around our loved Sweden following you. I had met many nice people because of that. Wishing to have more adventures like this! You are the best! ;)”

Rosa Planas & Alex Usero & Caridad Ortega & Estanislao Parczewski: ”Thanks for another great tour! We really enjoyed listening to this new band during the shows. We had lots of fun singing along with you some of our favorite songs. We hope to see you soon again  around the world in the future!”

Sweden

Adina Engström: ”Thank you Per and band for the creation of such lovely music and for the opportunity for me to share this with you and my friends. Special thanks from me for playing the song “Första pris” combined with “Segla på ett moln” this summer. You made me cry of happiness. Thank you for being the best band in the world!”

Angelica Stålnacke: ”I am so thankful for this tour! Loved it!”

Anja Hoppe: ”Stort tack för denna fina sommarturné! Den mysiga smygpremiären, konserten i fina Sofiero och ÄNTLIGEN en konsert på platsen jag har velat se en konsert ända sedan jag såg “Listen to your heart”-videon för första gången! Borgholm! Vilket ställe, vilken kväll, vilken stämning! Så mycket fin musik, ett sådant begåvat och glatt band och så mycket fina Roxettevänner! Tack återigen för denna sommar!”

Carola & Peter & Tobias: ”Jag (Carola) och min bror Peter har Roxette att tacka för våran vänskap med Tobias. Via Roxettes musik har vi funnit varandra & sett många konserter med Per & Marie både solo & med band. Nu senast i juli en vacker kväll på Skansen i Sveriges fina huvudstad. Tack för musiken Per!”

Christel Johansson: ”Tack för denna sommaren! Har haft nöjet att se dig och ditt fantastiska band hela 9 gånger, från Tylösand till Eskilstuna. Har även uppskattat Strandels mycket. De lär ha en ljus framtid utstakad framför sig.  Nu laddar vi batterierna och ser fram emot GT40! Det har verkligen varit “En vacker sommar” med många skratt och knasigheter både innan och efter konserterna. TACK!”

Eliza Öberg (Poland): ”Tack för en fantastisk sommar! Det blev 18 underbara kvällar för min del, inkl. smygspelningen och Allsång på Skansen. Tack Per för att du skriver så bra låtar! Tack till det eminenta bandet för att ni levererar inte bara musik utan även en bra show. Utan er underbara publikkontakt skulle konserterna inte vara så beroendeframkallande. Tack till Åsa för alla filmer och värme som du sprider! Och ett stort tack till alla fans, både de som jag träffade för första gången och de som är gamla vänner. We’re all magic friends!”

Emilio Bahl (Argentina): ”Thanks Per and that once again unforgettable band for letting us fill our memories and hearts with magnificent moments. I wish you keep that hunger and passion so we can enjoy your music and acts for many more years! Emilio Bahl, and family that moved to Sweden because of the Party Crasher tour.”

Erina & Jimmy: ”Dear Per! Your songs have always been the best soundtrack to my life. I can honestly say that a lot of wonderful things would never have happened to me if it wasn’t for your music. And this summer tour was extra special for me: I attended gigs with my friends as usual, but I also got to share this amazing experience and emotions with the man that I love (and he has become a fan, too!) Thank you and your great band for this magic! Hope to see you again soon!”

Jani Kauppinen: ”Tack för tolv underbara sommarkvällar för den här gången. Vi ses igen någonstans, någon annan gång! Hälsar familjen Kauppinen”

Kia Engvall: ”I saw you and your amazing band two beautiful evenings this summer. I look forward to more concerts and more wonderful music with you in the future. Thanx, you´re the best!”

Nico Radoi: ”En vanlig tisdag sitter Per
På en dejtingsajt och ler.
Ler mot folk som dyker upp
För att samla dem ihop.

Två tjejer och fem killar
Dejtar han och äter sillar.
En kan sjunga, en kan dansa,
En från Hongkong med Lufthansa…

Gammal kompis måste med!
Svarta handskar t.o.m.!

Lappland ska Per inte missa,
Annars funkar inte visan.
Sist och absolut minst gör
Att alla i publiken hör.
Vi tackar er för denna sommar
För ni uppfyllde våra drömmar!”

Olle Rydqvist: ”Var på din konsert i Borgholm tillsammans med min mamma och en av mina äldsta vänner Elin. Vi kom till köområdet väldigt tidigt, och som den lyckans ost jag är fick jag nr 50 på handen hehe. Sen väntande och väntade vi. Line up efter lind up Och tillslut efter mycket om och men fick vi komma in i ruinen och resten är historia. Vilken jävla kväll. Elins förväntningar höjdes likt Burj Khalifa under kvällen och jag var helt tagen. Regnet märktes knappt och det märks inte att du nyss fyllt 28! Tack för mer än en vacker kväll!”

Paula Cafiero Högström (Argentina): ”Kära Per och hela fantastiska bandet!!! Tack för fyra vackra och oförglömliga kvällar i Helsingborg, Göteborg, Borgholm och Malmö!!! Bland gamla goa vänner alltid, med alla er på scen… i eminenta Borgholm – en dröm (ännu en!) som gått i uppfyllelse … och med min fina familj i Malmö!!! Tack!!!! Många nya minnen etsade i hjärtat och själen för evigt. TUSEN TACK!”

Sanna & Mimmi: ”Tack alla i bandet för att ni gjort den här sommaren magisk! Vi fans har levt vårt egna turnéliv parallellt med er med långa körningar om nätterna, tält och köande. Blod, svett och tårar men mest av allt en fantastisk glädje och kärlek varje gång vi stått där framför scenen och bara fått känna känslan av att finns till. Hoppas vi ses snart igen, vilket håll ni än går så följer vi med!”

Åsa Florholm: ”Som sjukskriven för depression är det inte mycket som kan göra mig glad. Men ingen antidepressiv medicin funkar lika bra som en underbar konsert … eller sju. Jag mår aldrig lika bra som jag gör på en bra konsert. Tack för en fantastisk sommar! Jag önskar att jag hade haft råd att gå på fler konserter än jag gjorde.”

Switzerland

Cathérine Frei: ”Letting anticipation grow for months, travelling from the cheese country to beautiful Sweden, visiting small and big cities, meeting so many fan-buddies, spending a weird day in front of the venue and then going crazy when you enter the stage… Priceless! The magic of seeing you live in front of me, playing the songs that I love, never fades. Thank you for being around. Take care and see you “next time”!”

Fredric Norberg: ”Här kommer en hälsning från Schweiz och från Genève-sjön! Jag var uppe för 48 timmar i Sverige och såg Malmö konserten den 2 augusti: vilken show och vilket gig! Jag har fortfarande små filmer på min mobil som Jag ser åter och åter och kann bara säga: detta var årets bästa konsert, enkelt! Ett fantastiskt band och bra kombination med låtar. Stort tack för att ge oss alla ett så fint sommar minné! Ser fram emot att se dig eller Gyllene Tider åter (visst blir det en turné!!!) nästa sommar!”

Ukraine

See Evgeny & Co’s message in ”Russia” section

Uruguay

Alejandro Molina: ”Jag vill tacka dig för din musik för jag känner mig som en 14 årige pojke även om jag är 40!!! Vi ses igen snart!”

Maria José: ”Tack för en underbar turné!! Varje gång jag lyssnar på din musik känner jag att någon förstår och jag är inte ensamt…dina låter kan förvandla en kallt vinter i en evigt sommar, man blir ung igen och alla drömmar kommer bli sann. hoppas vi träffas snart igen!!”

USA

Amy (Hawaii): ”I’ve listened to your music for 2 years now-found out about your Swedish music when I watched the movie Let The Right One In-ever since then I’ve been hooked and I listen to you everyday! I traveled from Hawaii to see you and it was a dream come true and best concert I’ve ever been to. I’ve fallen in love with Stockholm-it was my first time visiting! Thank you for an amazing show and I will travel the many miles to see you again!!!! So many great memories from this trip and I’ve met so many nice friends because of your music.”

Jennifer Malcome: ”Per & everyone, Every one of the 7200 kilometers I traveled from to see you on the En vacker kväll tour was totally worth it. Even though I only got to see one show, it was the most fantastic night of the year and one I’ll never, ever forget. Thank you, Per, for the music that has been making my life better for the last 26 years. Can’t wait to do it all over again. As long as you keep playing, we’ll keep coming! With love, Jennifer Malcome”

 

In case your message can’t be found above, but you would like me to add yours too, please, send me an e-mail to pgsommar2017@gmail.com. /PP

Watch the fans’ “thank you” video !

Update on 1st September 2017: Per’s reaction to the “thank you”-s:

My Gosh, I’ve been in the studio w/ MP + Helena. Didn’t see this until now. I am, as always, honoured by your endless love and affection. You’re truly amazing all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my drawer full of vinyl singles!!! Luv, P.

 

WANTED – Complete Borgholm gig on DVD

The demand to see Roxette’s complete Borgholm gig(s), recorded on 25th-26th July 1989 is h.u.g.e. There is an evergreen discussion among Roxers since the ’90s and we just can’t conclude what might have happened to the recorded materials.

Collage of some WANTED pictures shared during the flashmob.

The discussion started again during the last days of December when Sandra Knospe came up with the idea to organize a flashmob to show how many of us want the complete Borgholm gig on DVD. The plan was to post one or more screenshots of the live scenes that are already available of the Borgholm shows. The idea was of course supported by tons of us Roxers. Sandra created a cool ”WANTED – Complete Borgholm gig on DVD” background pic on which anyone could insert their own preferred Borgholm live stills. Those who were more into completely ready stuff either reposted others’ pics or posted the well-known What Do We Want meme generated by Zoltán Dúl stating ”Who are we?” ”Roxers!” ”What do we want?” ”The full Borgholm-gig on DVD!” ”When do we want it?” ”For Christmas 2017!” Clear messages on both types of pictures.

We had been waiting impatiently for the time (2nd January) to come when we could all ”spam” Roxette’s Facebook page with our pics. If you check posts by others on the page, you’ll see that quite some Roxers joined the flashmob. We all love such happenings.

Later we got a little spam back from Mr. G. He shared some Memory Lane Monday pics on all the Facebook pages he is handling. At the same time, we could realize he saw the flashmob posts, but all he ”reacted” on them was sharing the old RXB article that collected those live materials which should be released one day, as well as posting the official video to Dangerous with the text ”Summertime at the Borgholm Castle. /P.” Oh. Yeah. THAT’s the summertime we would like to know more about. 😉

3 years ago Per posted on Roxette’s Facebook page that they were ”having discussions with EMI (Warner) about re-releasing all VHS/DVD Rox live + documentaries from the past. How about that? Maybe a huge box set? Rox channel on YouTube? Guess the hardest part is to find the stuff in the vaults….” A week later Mr. G was excited to post another update telling ”Hope to get most of the live VHS & DVD releases from the past out in the open (in top quality) for your insatiable eyes and ears to enjoy. It’s a little messy in the archives at the moment due to the huge EMI/Warner-merger but I’ve got new batteries in my flashlight! We’re on the case, promise.”

To help the team what to look for in the archives, Tomasz collected all possible live performances worth to release in an article.

It seems that the mess still couldn’t be sorted out completely, however, according to the rumor TDR shared there will be a DVD box including ”Sweden Live! (Norrköping 1988), Look Sharp Live (various 1989), Live-Ism (Sydney 1992), Crash!Boom!Live! (Johannesburg 1995) and Room Service (Stockholm 2001) from the Telenor webcast” without extras.

Last June when we interviewed Per, he still couldn’t tell us details about the DVD project. All he could share was his thought that ”the first things that should be made available are all those old live VHS-tapes and DVDs that’s not around anymore”.

Since most people nowadays don’t even have a machine to play VHS, it’s always nice to see old materials being released on DVD. Blu-ray is in this case out of the question, as those old tapes are probably not of real high quality for a BD release. But ”just” re-releasing old stuff is a bit sad. We are sure there is more to include.

Back to the original topic, Borgholm. What happened to the live recordings? Has there ever been a complete recording? Of both Borgholm shows and rehearsals maybe? Or was it just some footage we could already see in this or that video and on Look Sharp Live VHS? Nah… with such technology back then, shot by an American crew it’s impossible. There must have been a complete recording. Or if not complete, there is surely much more than what we could see so far. But where is that material hiding? Deep down in a cellar? Is it lost? Did the tapes get burnt? Or? Just for the record, we are happy with any raw cut material as well. It would look sharp as an extra in the DVD box. 😉 Haha.

Until we find out what happened (hope dies last…), you can still enjoy these videos and keep your fingers crossed: Listen To Your Heart, Dangerous, Paint, Dance Away, Cry, Silver Blue.

P.S.: Borgholm being such an important place in Roxette’s history, we are very happy about the fact that at least Per will play there this summer on his solo tour.

 

CONTEST: Win a Roxette stamp booklet!

Santa thought it’s nice to surprise you all with a little retro contest. You surely remember that 25 years ago Roxette was honored by being featured on a Swedish stamp. The “Rock och Pop” theme stamp was released by the Swedish Post on 5th October 1991 in 3.6 million copies (source: a Swedish stamp site).

roxette_stamp_booklet_01
Photo shows the cover of the booklet

Per said at the time:

We’re not even dead. We thought it was a joke at first. I know ABBA was a stamp in 1982, but it’s not something that happens every day. It’s nice to have the entire Swedish nation licking your back.

Some months later he said:

That was a kick, of course. It was almost like being knighted, I guess. I have used them a lot. I used to send cassettes to my record company with them. They can’t refuse the music that way.

 

The stamp was also released in a special booklet featuring Roxette on the cover and including 6 stamps (2 Roxette, 2 Lena Philipsson, 2 Jerry Williams) and 3 postcards (1 Roxette, 1 Lena Philipsson, 1 Jerry Williams).

Now this booklet is what you can win! We have 3 of them to give away! In order to participate, answer the following questions correctly:

  1. What was the face value of the 1991 Roxette stamp? – 2.50 SEK (we also accepted 250)
  2. Which Roxette studio album was released in 1991? – Joyride
  3. Was there any Roxette tour in 1991? – Yes. Join the Joyride! World Tour 1991/92

Send an e-mail with your name, address (so we can send the booklet in case you win) and the correct answers to the questions to rxbcontests@gmail.com until 23:59 CET, 21st December 2016. The lucky winners will be announced a few days later. Good luck!

 

Contest terms and conditions:
– In order to participate, you have to send an e-mail to rxbcontests@gmail.com with name, address and correct answers to the
3 questions. We will consider all e-mails we receive until 23:59 CET on 21st December 2016.
3 winners will be picked randomly among those who have participated and sent the correct answers.
– You can only participate once, any attempt to participate twice or more times will lead to your disqualification.
– Prize won’t be paid out in cash. Prize will be sent by registered
mail only once.
– Winners will be announced on this website, on our Facebook page and will also be notified per e-mail. You’ll be required to answer the e-mail confirming your address.
– RoxetteBlog.com will not enter into any correspondence regarding the result of the contest and is not liable for any damages, loss or expenses that may result in connection to the prize.
– All submitted data will only be used for the purpose of the contest and in case you are the lucky winner, to send you the prize.

 

Update on 22nd December 2016: The 3 winners are: Lana Sachse, Yonita Marto and Travis Wilhelm. They were notified via e-mail.

What Per Gessle played with this pick stays with this pick

For obvious reasons, during the past few months there weren’t as many plectrum updates as used to be, but then in July something popped up on a certain Instagram account. Per Gessle posted a picture of a guitar pick saying ”New guitar pick, flipside!”. We all started wondering what the text (What’s been played with this pick stays with this pick) and sealed-lips emoji on the plectrum could refer to and it didn’t last too long to find out it had surely been produced for private gigs.

We had to wait 2 months to see where the pick was used and it turned out it was the only occasion Per played it. It happened at a birthday party at A.b.b.e.y. R.o.a.d. S.t.u.d.i.o.s. Wow! It must have been an awesome feeling to play at such a historical & magical place.

What the pick (1; 2) says is not completely true though. Of course we don’t know the full setlist, but we know the band played The Look and more importantly, they also played Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång). Huh? Who would have thought that Per would EVER play THIS song at THAT place? Yep, it was a Swedish business man’s birthday party after all, but still! It’s just amazing!

Fortunately, Mr. G was generous enough to share the pick with the greatest plec collector among Roxers, Sandra Knospe and this way the PLECtionary could be updated. Woohoo! Check it out!

We asked Sandra how she feels about having this item in her collection:

I remember that Per mentioned in the interview about the guitar picks, that he considers it a mission to help me find Plectrum-Nirvana. And I also remember how shocked (in a positive way) I was when I read this back then. That alone was more than I ever could wish for. Of course I didn’t dare to believe that he actually would make it true. But he really did. More than just once. And I still can’t believe it. I am so happy and grateful that he helps me to keep the collection complete. And it also makes things so much easier. It sometimes is like pulling teeth if you try to swap a missing pick with somebody, esp. such rare ones that have not even been played at public events. So thank you again, Per, for being such a kind person and also for making the hunt much easier. I can’t find the right words to explain good enough how much I appreciate that. But I so do!!!

Huge thanks again for the updates, Sandra and much appreciation to Mr. G for making it possible!

PLECtionary_update_20161020
Photo by Sandra Knospe

 

We miss Marie – 150 days later

Exactly 150 days have passed since Roxette cancelled their summer tour 2016 and in the same second ended their career as a touring band. 150 days until September 15th, a day that means a lot to many people.

I wasn’t even aware of the date until I read about it this morning on Facebook. I don’t really connect it to Marie’s illness. Yes, it was the day they let us know about it, it was a Sunday, never will be forgotten. But she knew before and everything happened before this day (in my world), so it’s not really a day of significance to me. Maybe September 11th, maybe not.

Photo: Gaby Hildebrandt
Photo: Gaby Hildebrandt

However, 150 days have passed since finally happened what was supposed to happen. We all knew it would happen, and many of us were actually waiting for it, not being able to see Marie struggle on stage any longer. It was a relief, it was a disappointment. It was the saddest moment in the history of Roxette for many fans, it was yet a step that made many of us just sit and nod silently in understanding and sympathy.

Now, 150 days later, finally the feeling of finality got to me. I woke up two days ago and missed Marie badly. I did before in these 150 days, but this was different. I thought of her, the many concerts I was able to join, her smiles, her voice, her moves, and suddenly I realized we will never have this again. Never.

I thought of this before, but I never felt it and now the feeling got to my heart and I couldn’t breathe for a moment. How silly, really! She’s not dead, I thought. Get over it! You have  your own life to live. But still, she was and still is a part of my life. For 25 years and for the rest of my life. She is part of my system.

It feels like she was kind of a battery that never ran low, she always provided strength and gave me energy to move on, even in the darkest hours of my life and even in the darkest hours of HER life. She never failed to do that and suddenly it feels like someone unplugged me from this battery. There is no more energy to come from this source; the source I got used to so much during all those years. I wondered why it felt like this, we had times of no messages, photos and concerts before. I remember seeing her now and then in the Swedish newspapers when she attended a concert or something else: even when she was ill.

But this is different for a significant reason: We had the best six years of our fan life. We saw Phoenix rising again, we saw her getting stronger and better again every night, we certainly helped her doing it, we connected with our favourite band in a very new and very special way. Somehow it felt like we finally became a family, as strange as it sounds. We became a family until the day we didn’t. The day we realized we didn’t – because not even family couldn’t prevent April 18th from happening. And while I was so disappointed that fate didn’t let them at least end their 2016 tour, now it’s about feelings. Här kommer alla känslorna på en och samma gång. Yes.

And even when she struggled so much last year with all the travelling – she still sent her waves of love, power, strength to the world and reached thousands of people. Yes, I miss her. I hope she is doing fine, enjoying the quiet and good life she of all deserves the most. Sitting on a table in the sun with her red roses and her beloved ones. That’s maybe all we can wish for.

We still hope for a life sign now and then. A photo, a video, a message. Don’t we? No, she doesn’t owe us anything. But you won’t deny your joy when we got that lovely little video 108 days ago, will you?

And while I am still trying to get over all of this, I hope that she thinks of us now and then with a loving smile on her face. We certainly do.

If you feel up to, send us your best meeting story or photo with Marie and let’s celebrate this special kind of love. The photo you see in the article has been taken in Amsterdam 2011. Marie came out and was in a great mood. She hugged almost everyone who stood there and it felt like she was very happy to see us. We gave her roses, talked to her and enjoyed every second, so did she. Gaby was quick enough to take this photo when she hugged me.