Short interview with Marie before Borås concert

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MF_Xtra_BorasMarie Fredriksson’s tour goes on tomorrow. Next stop is Borås. Xtra Borås did a short interview with Marie which you can read here and even download it in pdf. No real news in it, but it’s always nice to read any kind of interview with her.

She says she is very happy that she can do this tour. It feels great to be back. Last time it was in 1992 when she played in concert halls before this tour. She also says most people are used to her voice in Roxette, but it’s a different feeling when she is singing in Swedish. After her illness, her voice became deeper and she thinks there’s a stronger presence in it, which she enjoys. She’s always lived in music and it’s still such a big part of her.

Tomorrow’s concert is Marie’s first ever in Borås. But there is a link between Borås and Roxette. Dean Cushman, the exchange student we all know the story of was studying computer science at the University of Borås and found Roxette’s music there.

Xtra Borås asked Marie what’s left to achieve in her long and successful career. Marie said she hopes she can keep on doing what she loves the most so long as possible and she hopes that the audience is with her for a long time. Marie says she finds inspiration in everything: the silence, the garden, at the sea and in everyday life. Her favourite song off ”Nu!” is “Sista sommarens vals” now.

The last question to her was what she is Xtra happy about right now. She replied:

The spring sun! It’s so nice that winter comes to an end now.

 

Creative April Fools’ Day joke with Per Gessle

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Besides TDR, Hallandsposten was also in a creative joking mood yesterday. Good that I read the article only today, otherwise I would have believed it was true. 😉 They came up with the idea of putting Per Gessle on the welcome sign of Halmstad. “During the last week of July, Per Gessle will be available for a few hours each morning for taking pictures with the Castle in the background.” Haha! They even created a test sign with PG. Lookin’ good, isn’t it? If I were the one who decides on such things at the municipality or the traffic authority, I would definitely go for it! Think about it, you guys there! 🙂 It was a great one, Hallandsposten!

PG_Halmstad_sign_01

 

Interview with Marie about the tour: “I am overwhelmed by the response of the audience”

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IMG_01762We have had the chance to interview Marie Fredriksson via email during the short tour break and before the tour goes on this Friday in Borås.

RXB: It’s your first solo tour since 2000. How does it feel to be on the stage again singing your own songs?
Marie: Fantastic! I have looked forward to it!

RXB: Regarding the setlist that you put together for this tour. Is there any song that you rehearsed that you now think you should have included in the setlist?
Marie: No, I’m very happy with this setlist.

RXB: And, on the other hand, is there any song that you included in the setlist but you were not sure if it would work?
Marie: It’s always exciting trying old songs with new musicians and I was just happy with the result after our rehearsals.

RXB: I think it is very brave (and rare) to start a concert with such a stripped down acoustic song – how come you chose to play this version of “Så stilla så långsamt” and to play it as first song?
Marie: It was something that Micke suggested. I think it turned out very well.

RXB: How do you feel to the reaction of the audience to songs like “Så länge det lyser mittemot”, “Efter stormen” or “Mellan sommar och höst”, with the audience standing up and dancing along?
Marie: Of course, it makes me incredibly happy – it’s a wonderful feeling to see this from the stage. I am overwhelmed by the response of the audience and I couldn’t imagine how positive they react to all the songs!

RXB: More than half of the shows are done now, only 7 left. How do you feel about the tour so far? Are you going to change anything for the upcoming “second leg” of the tour?
Marie: It’s amazing how quickly time flies when you’re having fun.. I will do my best to really enjoy the rest of the tour but I don’t think we’ll change anything…

RXB: What is your favourite song on this tour?
Marie: It’s hard to choose a favourite song, it changes a bit from concert to concert. 

RXB: Everybody thinks the tour is amazing and that it should be available on DVD or at least CD. Any plans for that?
Marie: No plans for a DVD, we’ll see about a live CD…

RXB: Many fans are travelling from all corners of the world to see you live, what do you think about that? Did you expect to see so many “familiar faces”?
Marie: I am so grateful for the support from the international fans – it’s moving and overwhelming and to be honest – I didn’t expect such a huge turn-up. Thank you all!

RXB: Your husband Micke and nephew Jokke are playing with you in this tour. How does it feel to be able to share your passion for music with your family?
Marie: Michael and I have been on tour before (1992 & 2000) and to add Jokke to the band was a great decision! It’s wonderful to create music with them.

RXB: You also look very proud when Jokke plays the solos… he said in an interview with us that he had waited his whole life to play with you. How is it from your point of view?
Marie: I’ve seen him grow up to become a brilliant musician and of course he makes me incredibly proud!

RXB: Looking at the future, we heard about a possible jazz album and a biography. Could you tell us something about that already?
Marie: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and will do when the timing is right. You’ll be the first to know…

TDR also got the chance to email-interview Marie, check it out here.

Marie’s tour: Göteborg and Halmstad video bootlegs

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As far as we know, there is no plan to record any of the concerts during Marie Fredriksson’s tour for a DVD, however, after being in the crowd at 2 of (so far) the best concerts (Göteborg and Halmstad), I definitely think there should be a live DVD. I’m sure many fans agree with me. Maybe it’s still not too late… Stockholm will most probably be one of the best shows as well, if not the best, since the most international fans are going to attend that concert. If there is no possibility, we will of course be very happy with a live CD at least. 😉

Until then we have YouTube and thanks to the fans who recorded those 2 awesome shows, Göteborg (15/03/2014) and Halmstad (21/03/2014) concerts are available as video bootlegs.

We already shared it on our Facebook site, but I must include it here, too: click here to watch the complete megafabulous Göteborg show! I still think that show would have been a perfect one to record for a DVD. Thanks heaps again for sharing, Alexander!

Now the videos for Halmstad are also available, so you can watch Marie’s and the band’s top shape performance and hear the fantastic crowd reactions. My personal fave from the videos is Bara för en dag (screenshot is also from that part). Just look at Marie’s facial expressions and gestures. Lovely! Thanks a million, Nikolett Zentai and Monika for sharing the videos!

Marie_Hstd_03

 

01. Så stilla så långsamt, Kom vila hos mig, Bara för en dag
02. Det regnar igen, Sista sommarens vals
03. Ber bara en gång, Sparvöga, Ett hus vid havet, Ett bord i solen
04. Så skimrande var aldrig havet, Ännu doftar kärlek, Så länge det lyser mittemot
05. Om du såg mig nu
06. Efter stormen, Den sjunde vågen
07. Mellan sommar och höst, Den bästa dagen
08. Tro

 

 

The tour goes on! Next show is on 4th April in Borås!

 

Is there a Per Gessle solo coming?

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You might remember our last year article about Gyllene Tider becoming the sponsor of IS Halmia and you already know Per is a major sponsor of Halmia since many years. When Roxette became active again, the girls had Roxette as their sponsor, then in 2013, when GT released a new album and went on tour, it was Gyllene Tider printed on their official jersey (already 2 months before their new album, “Dags att tänka på refrängen” came out).

The girls are dressed for success again! Maybe it has nothing to do with any upcoming tours or any new albums and we don’t know what that surprise could be on 26th April, but nice to see this year it’s GESSLE [heart] HALMIA on the jerseys. Heja Halmia!

Halmia_jersey

IS Halmia jerseys over the past years. Last photo with GESSLE [heart] HALMIA is by iaisaksson.

PS: IS Halmia should use the link to Per’s official website instead of what they are using now at the Sponsors. Not that there is any news on gessle.com since last year. No complaint though. We love having Mr G on Facebook each day instead. 😉