By Kevin Rademeyer.
The Sunbet Arena in Pretoria pulsed with raw emotion and electrifying energy as Roxette took the stage on their Roxette In Concert 2025 tour. It was a night where memories clashed with the present, where loss met rebirth, and where timeless hits found new life.
The weight of Marie Fredriksson’s absence loomed large, a ghostly presence woven into every note. Since her passing in 2019, the fate of Roxette had been uncertain. The last time Marie graced a stage was in Cape Town in 2016—a full-circle moment, as this tour’s opening night had taken place in the very same city. But rather than dwell in sorrow, Per Gessle chose to honour Roxette’s legacy by moving forward. Enter Lena Philipsson, the Swedish pop sensation stepping into impossibly big shoes.
Lets face it, Marie was a once in a lifetime talent and was a massive reason for Roxette’s success. Philipsson is however no mere replacement. She’s an artist in her own right, a friend of Gessle’s, and a performer whose voice carries both familiarity and fresh energy. While she doesn’t mimic Fredriksson’s husky depth, she reinterprets with reverence. Britney Rhodes from Johannesburg echoed the sentiment: “Lena’s voice gave me chills—she is spectacular!” The Pretoria crowd, many of whom grew up with these songs, embraced her instantly. Lena is a perfect fit for the band and brings a certain X-factor, however she doesn’t have the range or raw emotion in her voice for the massive ballads, like Marie did. To be fair, no one ever will.
The setlist was a masterstroke of nostalgia and surprise. The Big L. kicked things off, a sonic adrenaline shot that set the tone for the night. From there, it was a seamless ride through Roxette’s golden years. Sleeping in My Car turned the arena into a fever dream of ’90s pop euphoria. Dressed for Success reminded everyone why Roxette dominated airwaves and cassette decks worldwide.
But it wasn’t just about the hits, this was a show designed to delight diehards. Deep cuts made their way into the mix: What’s She Like and Vulnerable made their live debuts, their poignancy amplified by Philipsson’s emotive delivery. Long-lost gems like Opportunity Nox, Things Will Never Be the Same, and Milk and Toast and Honey re-emerged, each song a gift unwrapped for the first time in years. Jono Miles from Germiston summed up the experience: “Those older, less played songs live were unreal—pure joy!”
Then came the classics, the songs that defined Roxette’s DNA. Crash! Boom! Bang! roared with cinematic drama, Fading Like a Flower bled nostalgia, and It Must Have Been Love was nothing short of cathartic. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Philipsson and Gessle’s harmonies filled the arena, dedicating the greatest hits to Marie. The emotion was tangible on Per Gessle face, as he must have remembered travelling the world, with Marie on his side for decades.
The encore was a rollercoaster of emotion. Spending My Time and Listen to Your Heart delivered gut-punches of longing and heartbreak, before the show closed with Queen of Rain, a rare and reflective finale that left the audience stunned.
For two hours, Sunbet Arena became a time capsule, transporting fans back to Roxette’s heyday while forging ahead into an uncertain but thrilling future. Thabiso Ngubeni from Mamelodi added: “The energy was off the charts—I couldn’t stop dancing!”
Per Gessle, ever the charismatic showman, shared the stage with grace, while Philipsson proved she wasn’t just filling a role—she was shaping a new era. Roxette’s legacy remains unshaken. With Philipsson at the helm, the journey continues—bittersweet, bold, and as unforgettable as ever. Brought to South Africa by Big Concerts, this show was a reminder that great music doesn’t fade—it evolves. And for those lucky enough to be there, it was a night to remember
The Sunbet Arena in Pretoria pulsed with raw emotion and electrifying energy as Roxette took the stage on their Roxette In Concert 2025 tour. It was a night where memories clashed with the present, where loss met rebirth, and where timeless hits found new life.
The weight of Marie Fredriksson’s absence loomed large, a ghostly presence woven into every note. Since her passing in 2019, the fate of Roxette had been uncertain. The last time Marie graced a stage was in Cape Town in 2016—a full-circle moment, as this tour’s opening night had taken place in the very same city. But rather than dwell in sorrow, Per Gessle chose to honour Roxette’s legacy by moving forward. Enter Lena Philipsson, the Swedish pop sensation stepping into impossibly big shoes.
Lets face it, Marie was a once in a lifetime talent and was a massive reason for Roxette’s success. Philipsson is however no mere replacement. She’s an artist in her own right, a friend of Gessle’s, and a performer whose voice carries both familiarity and fresh energy. While she doesn’t mimic Fredriksson’s husky depth, she reinterprets with reverence. Britney Rhodes from Johannesburg echoed the sentiment: “Lena’s voice gave me chills—she is spectacular!” The Pretoria crowd, many of whom grew up with these songs, embraced her instantly. Lena is a perfect fit for the band and brings a certain X-factor, however she doesn’t have the range or raw emotion in her voice for the massive ballads, like Marie did. To be fair, no one ever will.
The setlist was a masterstroke of nostalgia and surprise. The Big L. kicked things off, a sonic adrenaline shot that set the tone for the night. From there, it was a seamless ride through Roxette’s golden years. Sleeping in My Car turned the arena into a fever dream of ‘90s pop euphoria. Dressed for Success reminded everyone why Roxette dominated airwaves and cassette decks worldwide.
But it wasn’t just about the hits, this was a show designed to delight diehards. Deep cuts made their way into the mix: What’s She Like and Vulnerable made their live debuts, their poignancy amplified by Philipsson’s emotive delivery. Long-lost gems like Opportunity Nox, Things Will Never Be the Same, and Milk and Toast and Honey re-emerged, each song a gift unwrapped for the first time in years. Jono Miles from Germiston summed up the experience: “Those older, less played songs live were unreal—pure joy!”
Then came the classics, the songs that defined Roxette’s DNA. Crash! Boom! Bang! roared with cinematic drama, Fading Like a Flower bled nostalgia, and It Must Have Been Love was nothing short of cathartic. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Philipsson and Gessle’s harmonies filled the arena, dedicating the greatest hits to Marie. The emotion was tangible on Per Gessle face, as he must have remembered travelling the world, with Marie on his side for decades.
The encore was a rollercoaster of emotion. Spending My Time and Listen to Your Heart delivered gut-punches of longing and heartbreak, before the show closed with Queen of Rain, a rare and reflective finale that left the audience stunned.
For two hours, Sunbet Arena became a time capsule, transporting fans back to Roxette’s heyday while forging ahead into an uncertain but thrilling future. Thabiso Ngubeni from Mamelodi added: “The energy was off the charts—I couldn’t stop dancing!”
Per Gessle, ever the charismatic showman, shared the stage with grace, while Philipsson proved she wasn’t just filling a role—she was shaping a new era. Roxette’s legacy remains unshaken. With Philipsson at the helm, the journey continues—bittersweet, bold, and as unforgettable as ever. Brought to South Africa by Big Concerts, this show was a reminder that great music doesn’t fade—it evolves. And for those lucky enough to be there, it was a night to remember