Tour

Interview with Per Gessle and Lena Philipsson about the Roxette In Concert tour in Blikk, Hungary

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Blikk did an interview with Per and Lena on Friday via Zoom. The Roxette In Concert tour’s first autumn show will happen in Budapest on 4th November.

Blikk: – The return of Roxette surprised everyone. Why did you feel like you had to continue with the band?

Per Gessle: – For many, many years I couldn’t decide what to do with Roxette, so this is a really big step for me. Then a few years ago I realized that I was a little sad that I couldn’t perform the songs that I had written for Roxette over the course of three decades. I tried to find a way to continue, but I didn’t really know what to do. In 2024 I made a Swedish album with Lena on it. When we worked together in the studio, I realized that she had the ability and the knowledge to sing Roxette songs. I just felt that out of all the people I had met so far, she was the first one who could really do it. I thought about it for a while, and then I met Lena and I presented my idea to her, which made her completely pale of course. But then we just tried it. We rehearsed some acoustic songs with some of the members of Roxette and they sounded great. Lena was a really good choice, she sings these songs just amazingly.

Blikk: – Lena, what was your first thought when Per asked you to join this project? It’s quite a challenge to step into Marie’s shoes.

Lena Philipsson: – It’s definitely a challenge. And it’s not that easy, because I know that when I go on stage, I’m not the person people really want to see. They want to see Marie, but unfortunately she’s not with us anymore. So someone else has to sing the songs, and that someone is me. In that sense, it’s a bit complicated. At the same time, Per’s request was flattering, almost impossible to refuse. And then, once I said yes, from then on, I just tried to focus on what I had to do and do my job as best as I could, considering the uniqueness of the situation. I really wanted to keep the original version of the songs as much as possible, so as not to cause any confusion for anyone, because it’s already a big difference to see a different person on stage, who might move differently and look different. It was important to me not to change any of the songs, but to show respect to Marie, Per and the fans by keeping the original. Our South African premiere was of course quite nerve-wracking. I tried to pay attention to the atmosphere in the venue to get a feel for what the band was doing, what we were doing on stage and how the audience was reacting. That’s where I started. But I think the feedback was positive from the very beginning. And from there, everything just got better and better.

Blikk: – We’ve seen other bands continue working with a new singer – most recently with Linkin Park. What do you think is the most important thing for it to work well?

Lena: – I can only speak about our own situation – for me it’s about showing respect for the music. I mean, I try to blend in, because it’s Per’s project, and I try not to take control of it. Just pay attention to the mood and listen to what the flow dictates. I don’t know how to explain it – you just have to be yourself as much as possible, instead of trying to be someone else. Give yourself and be honest in what you do.

Blikk: – Do you remember when the moment came when you felt comfortable in this role?

Lena: – After the second concert, I felt that everything was OK, that it was working. Now I can go out and be myself even more, giving myself more space. So it happened pretty quickly. The band, Per and I were working together for the first time – as musicians, we had to get to know each other on stage. But in terms of the setlist and the things that happened on stage, as we played together, it got better and better. So I think I got used to it pretty quickly.

Blikk: – Which song is the hardest for you to perform together?

Lena: – I would say “Spending My Time”, because it’s just me and Per on stage. He plays the guitar while I sing, which is very stripped down and revealing at the same time – so that’s an important moment. Also, singing “It Must Have Been Love” is very important to do perfectly, but I’ve learned it pretty well. Now I have more favourites: I really like “Listen To Your Heart”, for example, it’s pure joy for me to sing it, and I don’t think of it as complicated anymore. I just want to do a good job. We’re over the difficulties.

Per: – I think the best thing about the whole line-up is that we have a lot of fun and we feel good together on stage. The band members are also very enthusiastic. Lena’s presence and being able to perform the songs again is very inspiring for them. I tried to gather all the key figures from Roxette’s past, like guitarist Jonas Isacsson. Clarence Öfwerman, our producer, is still with us. I think that ultimately it is a tribute to Roxette and its legacy, and for that to happen we have to enjoy what we do. For me that is the most important thing, because if we have fun, the audience will have fun too.

Blikk: – What’s the goal of the project, besides playing old Roxette songs? Are there any plans to write new songs in the future?

Per: – No. I think the point of Roxette is to perform old songs. That’s all we do. By the way, we have made music together before, and maybe we will in the future, but I don’t think we will do it under the name Roxette.

Blikk: – You will also perform in Budapest in November. You just mentioned “Listen To Your Heart” – this is the song that probably every Hungarian knows, because from 1990 onwards a political party in Hungary started using it for its campaign and other events. Sometime around 1992 you said in an interview that you had heard about it. Were you ever worried that people would automatically associate your song with a party, forgetting its original message and content?

Per: – Well, first of all – looking back – I don’t like it when people use songs without permission. In the past, we were not asked about it at all. What happened in Hungary is a very unique situation, I have never experienced anything like this anywhere else. We have always tried to stay away from politics, because we don’t fully understand the countries and their political situation. I think if anyone had asked me if I would license one of my songs to a political party or movement, I would have definitely said no, without taking a stand for the left or the right. Because that’s how I operate and that’s how I work. I think copyright should be respected and the person who owns it or wrote the song should be asked first before they use it. That’s what I think.

Blikk: – There was a case a few years ago –  the same party used your song at a political event, and they even uploaded a video of it on Facebook, but because of copyright, that video was removed. Have you heard about that case?

Per: – I didn’t know about that, but I know that our record label, Warner Music, took legal action against it, because for them it’s the same situation: copyright infringement. You can have any political views, but ultimately it’s about how laws and rights work. As I said, I don’t have any other experience, so I can’t give you any other examples – it’s a unique thing. And I don’t really like being in the middle of things that I didn’t choose.

Blikk: – Let’s get back to the concert. You’ve been touring for a while now, how is the audience reaction?

Per: – We’ve done 25 shows so far, and they’ve been just fantastic. When we started, we were still wondering what happens if it doesn’t work out? On the one hand, what happens if people don’t buy tickets? On the other hand, what happens if they don’t like Marie being replaced by someone else? So many things could have turned out differently, but it turned out the opposite. Even the most dedicated fans have started to get to know Lena, appreciate what she does, and everyone leaves the concerts with a smile on their face. We have a huge catalogue of songs that people have grown up with and that have become part of their everyday lives – I think that’s just amazing, and it’s also a very rare thing. It’s really fantastic that I’ve found a way to carry on Roxette’s songs and that they are accepting it like that.

Blikk: – What message do you think the audience will take away from the fact that Roxette’s legacy lives on?

Per: – I don’t know if there is any specific message. But I’m a songwriter after all – I started writing songs when I was a teenager and I still do that basically today. I feel lucky to have had so much success all over the world in my life, and if my music and lyrics still mean something to so many people globally, that’s really fantastic. I hope that the people who come to our concerts get their reward from us on stage – something that adds value to their lives and that we can be a part of. Some people got married to our songs, some people gave birth to their children, and some people listened to “Joyride” on their way to school. These are just small fragments of some people’s lives, but we are part of them. It’s amazing to see that our music means so much to others.

Find the dates and links to ticket sales sites HERE!

Interview with Per Gessle in Cityliv

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Joakim S Ormsmarck did an interview with Per Gessle for Cityliv magazine in Halmstad. Read the original Swedish article HERE!

Roxette is back on stage in Halmstad. With two sold-out concerts, the city is once again filled with fans from all over the world who want to experience Gessle’s treasure trove of songs here at home where it all began. But it is a tribute to Roxette – not a new Roxette – that is now taking the stage.

It has been 36 years since Roxette last performed at Brottet. The pop duo’s breakthrough was still quite fresh at the time, and the concert at home kicked off the Look Sharp Live! Tour, which was to last until the end of the year with all stops from Hunnebostrand to Milan and Brussels. A lot has happened since then, not least the fact that Marie Fredriksson is no longer with us. But Roxette is still Per and Marie, Per makes that clear when he talks to Joakim.

It’s not that I’ve restarted my band with Lena, but the tour we’re on now is a tribute to the song catalogue. Roxette is me and Marie, but since she can’t be there, this is simply a variation. A bit like Queen with Adam Lambert or like Jon Stevens in INXS… Stevens was actually our opening act at some of the shows in Australia and he played a lot of INXS songs, it was fantastic.

Joakim has managed to do this interview during a break on the tour and Per is home in Halmstad for a few sunny days before it’s time for the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland before the summer tour ends with two shows in Gothenburg and two in Halmstad.

Joakim is curious if it is nice to have a break or if it disrupts the rhythm.

Good question actually. It’s both. You lose a bit of that flow that you get when you play every other day and we haven’t played that much together yet. We have only done eighteen shows so we’re still working on getting to know each other on stage. At the same time, it’s really nice to have a few days off for the sake of your throat, plus it’s great to land here when the West Coast is at its best.

The tour started in February in Cape Town, South Africa, Australia and parts of Europe have been completed. After the gigs in Sweden this July, there is a break. Among other things, Per will be working on the musical based on Roxette’s song collection, which will be staged in the autumn at China Theatre in Stockholm. But after that, it’s the tour that counts again.

Joakim wants to know if touring is still as much fun after all these years.

It’s actually more fun now than it was at the beginning. With Gyllene, you were terrified at first. We had done six gigs before we were number one on the charts, so we were constantly fighting against people’s expectations. We learned the hard way, you could say. It was really only during the Roxette era that I started to relax more on stage. With Gyllene, I was the one who would be at the front singing, but with Marie we could share everything.

To the question how he feels the tour he is on now is different from the previous ones, Per replies:

The big difference is that we are not trying to be number one on the list with a new album, but this is a tribute to the Roxette catalogue. We are playing a fantastic treasure trove of songs that very few artists can put their fingers on and that makes it special. We don’t want to promote new music, but play the old.

If Roxette releases new songs:

No, I don’t think so actually. I would like to make more music with Lena, we released “Sällskapssjuk” together last year and I would like to continue that collaboration, but it will not be under the Roxette label.

However, there is a lot of material that Marie and I did that has never been released, studio and live recordings. So there will be more from the original Roxette.

On this year’s tour, Per has gathered musicians who have played and worked with both Roxette and Gyllene Tider, as well as his solo albums. Among others, Jonas Isacsson, who was already on the first albums, is back as a guitarist.

When Jonas plays his solos on “Listen To Your Heart” or “Queen Of Rain”, it’s like time has stood still. It sounds exactly as it did before. It’s pure pleasure.

Joakim asks Per how he puts a band together for a tour like this. If he sits down with the phone book and starts calling around.

It’s a bit like that, actually. The idea of Lena as a singer came when we recorded “Sällskapssjuk” in the studio. She has exactly the power in her voice that Marie had, but in a different way. So we had a meeting and I told her my thoughts. We tested a few songs and when she decided, I started thinking about who I should include in the band.

Per says that his aim was to include as many of the original band members as possible. Jonas Isacsson and Clarence Öfwerman have been with them from the beginning, Christoffer Lundquist was already on the “Have A Nice Day” album in the late ’90s.

Pelle Alsing is no longer with us, but Clarence and Christoffer suggested Magnus Norpan Eriksson, because they thought he played quite like Pelle. I don’t agree with that at all, but he plays really good pop drums and that’s exactly what we need. Especially in songs like “The Big L.” and “How Do You Do!”.

Joakim is curious about how long Per has contracted the band and if there will be Roxette in 2026 as well.

Yes, there is a big world out there with South America, Asia, North America and so on. What has been said now is that we are doing 2025 and 2026, and then we will see. It could be that we do the spring and then we skip it or it will be spring, summer and autumn.

But before that, two packed concerts at Brottet are ahead, and there is no doubt that Per is looking forward to delivering here on home ground.

It is of course special to play here in Halmstad and at Brottet where we have played with Gyllene in recent years, but Roxette has not played there since “Look Sharp!”. So it will be really fun.

All interview text is written by Joakim S Ormsmarck for Cityliv Magazine in Swedish. Here it is a translation by RoxBlog.

Interview with Per Gessle in Hallandsposten about the Roxette In Concert tour

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Jan-Owe Wikström did an interview with Per Gessle for Hallandsposten almost ten years after Roxette’s last concert in Halmstad. Per brings the Roxette band for two gigs at Brottet.

Then it was with Marie Fredriksson, now he performs with Lena Philipsson.

Lena has grown into the role in a fantastic way. Marie can never be replaced, but Lena really does it in her own way so we are not a cover band. In addition, Jonas (Isacsson) is back, who is very much Roxette’s guitar sound.

15,000 people saw the concert on July 22, 2015 at Örjans Vall, which would be Marie’s last with Roxette at home when the following year she was forced to step down due to health reasons and then tragically died on December 9, 2019 from the consequences of her illness.

To keep Roxette’s song collection alive, including four US number-ones, Per went on tour in 2018 under the name Per Gessle’s Roxette. But it was in connection with the recording of the duet album Sällskapssjuk that he realized that Lena Philipsson was the right person to take the place next to him on stage.

Since then, Roxette has had two concerts in South Africa, nine in Australia and ten in Europe before the tour reaches Sweden; Gothenburg on July 23 and 25, and Halmstad on July 26 and 27.

Out in Europe, Lena is a completely unknown name, but the fans have received her in a fantastic way. But here at home, Lena is a big name in her own right, so it will be very exciting to see her meet her home audience.

I mean, there’s a big difference between her today and the first gig in Cape Town, and that’s how it should be. Because it’s on stage that you grow together as a band and learn how everyone behaves, what roles they take. You can never work that into rehearsals, and it’s the same with the social side – that it works there too.

Then we have deliberately included some songs that Marie never sang live. “What’s She Like?”, which is very strong in the musical, is one that Roxette never played live before. Likewise “Vulnerable” – mostly because I thought it was boring to sing, but the audience loves it, hahaha.

During the journey, he has also received confirmation of how strong Roxette is as a band with sold-out concerts in most places.

Yes, we are reaching a new audience, which is fantastic. In January 2024 we had 10.4 million unique listeners a month on Spotify, now we have 17.8 million, which is almost a doubling with 70 million listens every month.

To Jan-Owe’s question what he thinks the reason behind is, Per replies:

On the one hand, it’s a treasure trove of songs that shouldn’t really be possible to fail with. On the other hand, we represent a kind of music that is becoming increasingly rare, because pop music is no longer made in the same way, with a bridge before the chorus or a key rise. And that benefits people like me – especially with the song catalogue that we can build on.

I saw a documentary about Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys who recently passed away. It would have been impossible for him to have a hit today, when most things are artificial and programmed with many songwriters for each song. And it will get worse with AI.

When Roxette reaches Sweden, it will be standard concerts, while in Europe it has been about festivals where Roxette has in many cases been the headliner.

It’s different to play at festivals. Partly because it’s a shorter set, and partly because the audience is there for many different artists, unlike when it’s pure Roxette concerts where everyone has come for us. So if you play a lesser-known song, some people go and buy beer.

Initially, the second Halmstad gig was the end of the tour, but it is already clear that there will be a continuation in the autumn with gigs in Linköping and Stockholm in Sweden, among other places in Europe.

Yes, for each gig, five new offers appear, so the schedule will be filled afterwards. Because if you want, this is just the beginning of the continuation…

Pics by Åsa Gessle

Roxette to announce autumn tour leg in Europe

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PRESS RELEASE – In 2016, Roxette did what we believed was to be the last ever concerts. Now, nearly a decade later, Roxette’s frontman, songwriter and founder Per Gessle picks up the torch and brings the iconic hits back to the stage. Joined by Swedish pop sensation and superstar Lena Philipsson, Roxette In Concert is set to embark on their highly anticipated arena tour across Europe this fall – following a series of exclusive shows and festival appearances this summer.

Tickets for Roxette In Concert go on sale Friday May 9th at 10:00 am CEST! (Live Nation, Ticketmaster)

The first leg of Roxette In Concert has just come to an end – and it has been a massive success. Kicking off with a groundbreaking performance in Cape Town, South Africa, the tour continued through Pretoria, and then moved on to nine unforgettable shows in Australia. The energy was electrifying, with over 75,000 fans singing along to the iconic anthems, proving once again the timeless appeal of Roxette’s music. The response has been extraordinary, with both critics and fans celebrating the powerful performances.

“We may only be in the first quarter of 2025, but Roxette is already the top contender for the best live show of the year.” – Sheldon Ang Media

“More than just a concert, it was a reminder of what live music is supposed to be: uplifting, electric, and unforgettable.” – Music Festivals Australia

“The setlist was a masterclass in hit-making, from the sweeping ballad It Must Have Been Love to the high-energy How Do You Do! and Joyride. The encore delivered peak nostalgia – Spending My Time and Listen to Your Heart brought the emotion, while The Look had the crowd on their feet. Closing with Queen of Rain, Roxette proved that even after all these years, their music still resonates.” – Newcastle Live

It’s been five years since Roxette lost Marie Fredriksson to cancer, a devastating loss that left family, friends, and fans in grief. Yet, their legacy lives on, with their songs continuously streamed, played, and enjoyed by old and new supporters around the world.

“The first leg of the tour has been an incredible experience. It’s been really emotional and powerful to reconnect with the fans and bring Roxette’s music back to the stage. The response has been overwhelming. Marie will always be irreplaceable, but I’m lucky to have found an amazing voice and brilliant performer in Lena Philipsson. I co-wrote Lena’s first major hit back in 1986, and she’s one of Sweden’s brightest stars.” – Per Gessle

“The first part of the tour has been absolutely amazing! Working with Per and performing these iconic songs has been a true joy. I’m so excited for what’s to come next.” – Lena Philipsson

Later this year, Roxette brings their impressive show to cities across Europe, offering fans a rare opportunity to relive the soundtrack of their lives – with a fresh, powerful live production and the same timeless magic that made Roxette one of the most successful pop acts of all time.

The highly anticipated arena tour will follow a select run of summer concerts across Europe, including several major festival appearances and four already sold-out shows in Sweden.

The live band features long-time Roxette collaborators and world-class musicians: Christoffer Lundquist, Magnus Börjeson, Magnus “Norpan” Eriksson, Dea Norberg, along with original Roxette legends Clarence Öfwerman and Jonas Isacsson.

ROXETTE IN CONCERT – TOUR DATES 2025 EUROPE

  • June 12 – Bergen, Norway – Bergenfest
  • June 20 – Fredrikstad, Norway – Idyll
  • June 21 – Viborg, Denmark – Forever
  • June 23 – Munich, Germany – Tollwood (SOLD OUT)
  • June 27 – Madrid, Spain – Noches del Botánico (SOLD OUT)
  • June 28 – Mérida, Spain – Teatro Romano de Mérida
  • July 4 – Kestenholz, Switzerland – St. Peter at Sunset
  • July 12 – Weert, The Netherlands – Bospop
  • July 13 – Zottegem, Belgium – Rock Zottegem
  • July 17 – Pori, Finland – Pori Jazz
  • July 23 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Trädgårdsföreningen (SOLD OUT)
  • July 25 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Trädgårdsföreningen (SOLD OUT)
  • July 26 – Halmstad, Sweden – Brottet (SOLD OUT)
  • July 27 – Halmstad, Sweden – Brottet (SOLD OUT)
  • November 4 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Aréna (NEW)
  • November 6 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena (NEW)
  • November 15 – Valencia, Spain – Roig Arena (NEW)
  • November 16 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club (NEW)
  • November 18 – Leipzig, Germany – Quarterback Arena (NEW)
  • November 20 – Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom (NEW)
  • November 22 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclays Arena (NEW)
  • November 23 – Frankfurt, Germany – Jahrhunderthalle (NEW)
  • November 25 – Düsseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Halle (NEW)
  • November 26 – Nuremberg, Germany – Arena Nürnberger Versicherungen (NEW)
  • December 1 – London, England – Wembley Arena (NEW)
  • December 4 – Linköping, Sweden – Saab Arena (NEW)
  • December 5 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena (NEW)

Interview with Per Gessle by Hallandsposten before the Roxette tour start

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Jan-Owe Wikström did an interview with Per for Hallandsposten before the Roxette In Concert 2025 tour starts tomorrow. Per regarding the tour:

It’s the most exciting and the most uncertain thing I’ve done since Gyllene Tider’s comeback in 1996. You don’t know at all how it’s going to work, how it’s going to be received.

He explains it’s absolutely not a new band. It’s him, one half of Roxette, the Roxette band where Jonas Isacsson is back for the first time since 2001 and then Lena who is hired as a singer. The other option would have been to not make a comeback at all so this was the next best option, he points out.

Per tells Jan-Owe that it’s 26 degrees in Cape Town right now and he didn’t understand at first why he had an allergic shock, until he realized that it’s full pollen season over there. He took one pill and it was over in an hour, Per laughs.

We’ve actually sold as many tickets this time as when we were there with Marie. I never thought that! At the same time, the music industry has completely changed, where in four years we’ve increased the number of streams on Spotify by 40 percent. So I think it benefits us “craftsmen”, people want real music live.

It could even have been a joint tour with Bryan Adams in Australia, Jan-Owe says.

Yes, indeed. We play almost in parallel, so he wondered if we would go together. But unfortunately, we had already booked venues and started selling tickets. A bit of a shame, because it would have been great fun.

At the rehearsal a little over a week ago, there were 21 songs left. Per reveals:

There have been a lot of “kill your darlings”, but that’s because many songs have the same character. But there will still be two that we’ve never played live with Roxette before.

To the question how the rehearsals felt, he replies:

Very good! Lena is extremely professional. Now it’s about finding our roles. Marie and I had known each other for so long, so it was natural for her to step forward as long as she could. Then I got to the front on the last tour and solo and with Gyllene Tider, I’m the one who does it. We’ll see how it goes here. I mean, the rehearsals are one thing, but in front of just over 10,000 people: “How will Lena act in, for example, “Sleeping In My Car”?” So it’s going to be a challenge, really fun. It’s just a matter of not interrupting each other. Hahaha.

Jan-Owe asks who decides in such situations. Per explains that Lena of course had ideas regarding her singing, but otherwise, Per has the final say.

After the two Halmstad gigs at the end of July, Per has nothing else booked.

We’ll see. But I have several projects that are currently on hold.

To the question if there could even be new Roxette songs with Lena on vocals he replied:

Not at the moment. That has never been the intention, it has been that the song catalogue should live on. People want to hear Roxette’s old hits, not something new. But at the same time – when you work together for as long as we will now, you never know what it might lead to.

Jan-Owe is curious if there are any plans with Gyllene Tider.

Right now it feels a bit finished, but it has felt that way before too… If this tour develops into what I hope for with gigs on more continents, Roxette will be priority 1.