Roxette Australia 2012 - Big Day In

When Roxette announced their first Australian tour in over 15 years, beyond the excitement i was a little cautious they could maintain the brilliance i saw in 1995. Pop acts are generally a letdown when you see them live but the 'Crash Boom Bang' tour exceeded expectations. Per had a musical presence on stage that fails to show on record, While Marie's power voice commands attention. Being a fan of the band i was aware Roxette had not had a top 40 hit in Australia since 'Sleeping in my car' in 1994, i was also fully aware that Marie had suffered poor health since 2002 and had some limitations since life saving surgery. Post operation complications from removing a malignant tumour included losing sight from her right eye and needing to learn to read again. Marie's movement is very limited so with remembering how vibrant she was on stage back in the day, i was concerned that during a gruelling tour i would be left underwhelmed.

Saturday 18th February 2012 arrives and i make the quick trek to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. I take my seat and prepare for the show to start, it had not been since NKOTB in 93 that i had tried and succeeded to secure front row floor tickets for a show. If i was going, i was going in style.

When Roxette took to the stage the sold out crowd went wild. I was not prepared for how much of Marie's movement was taken post operation. Her motor neuron skills was sluggish and her voice not as powerful as before. It took me a song or two before my shock subsided and could get into the show. Wisely only playing one song from their new album "Charm School" and making the hits talk for themselves, The crowd sang and danced throughout the entire night. Popular tunes from their breakthrough album 'look sharp' were met with screams right through to fan favourites such as the melodic ballad 'Crash boom bang'. For 2 hours us fans were treated to pop music in its greatest form.

No mention was made to Marie's troubles and i believe a large section of the crowd would be none the wiser. What could have been made into an Oprah style self congratulatory moment became a touching and powerful statement of the mind and body's will to succeed. When bands form they appear to be a family looking out for everyones needs, As fame increases that side of things disappears and cracks form. Seeing Per and the remainder of the band support Marie through the show gave an insight into this band's dynamics. You get the feeling this is more about proving a point than making a quick buck, like many other bands reforming.  Roxette put on an amazing show, proving why they have sold over 60 million albums and sold out hundreds of concerts in this tour.

Roxette have shows left in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. Concert promoters here in Australia didn't believe Roxette had an audience anymore, one once calling them a  "mouldy old project".  Well with over 100,000 tickets sold and 10 shows lets just hope it doesnt take another 17 years before they grace out shores again.

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