Roxette
Rod Laver Arena Melbourne
22 February 2012
Concert and meet and greet
I was incredibly excited to win tickets to see Roxette and meet them last night. My friend Joel and I (you may remember Joel from when he rubbed nipples with Steve Poltz way back in January last year) had dinner (Mexican) and drinks (Sangria) at the night markets and then excitedly made the walk to Rod Laver Arena.
On the way we saw a bagpipe playing bird – Joel posed for photos – and this set the scene for a fun night ahead.
Before the meet and greet, I bought a program, and then we waited for the tour representative to fetch us and the other winners to enter the stadium.
One of the reasons I have been slow in posting this review is because I wasn’t sure how I would write about the meet and greet without sounding resentful. I’ll try my best. The chance to meet Roxette was an amazing opportunity. They’re a huge band. The meet and greet was very brief, and very impersonal. I understand that there were time constraints and they were there to perform a show. But there were only 10 of us there to meet them, and some of the people seemed like HUGE fans. Two members of the Roxette crew advised us that we were only able to have one item signed, and that we weren’t able to take individual photos with the band or of the meeting. When we did take photos, we weren’t allowed to have flashes on. Someone volunteered their camera for the crew to take some candid shots and one group shot at the end. That person will email the pictures around the group. I have not yet received these pictures, I hope to soon.
We waited around 15 minutes to meet the band as we waited in the corridor then the green room. We were all really excited – I know I’d been counting down the days.
The concert was amazing. Really! Roxette have bgeen a band that I’ve loved for a long time but thought I’d never see. They played all their hits – a very extensive catalogue – plus some new songs.
The show opened with Dressed for Success and continued with Fading Like A Flower, Spending My Time, Almost Unreal, Sleeping in My Car, Joyride (where bouncy balls were released, see my picture above!), Listen To Your Heart, Dangerous and more, ending with The Look.
Despite the song with the sad lyrics, Per was happy all the time. At times it reminded me of a Eurovision concert, in a good way. It was fun! He danced around the stage, smiling and playing guitar. And he could sing!
Marie’s voice wowed me. So very powerful. She seemed to have limited movement, perhaps due to illness in 2002, but she gave it her all.
The best bit – like the Cold Chisel concert – was that we all sang along. The audience sounded amazing.
One of the guitarists did a solo of Waltzing Matilda, which was Joel’s favourite part. My favourite was Crash Boom Bang, which I recorded.
I think you wrote beautifully and with gratitude but I am not as impressed with Roxette as I was.I feel they would not be where they are if it wasnt for their die hard fans and you guys deserved more.It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.Come on Roxette give a little more back.Time costs nothing and can make fans dreams come true.
I've always wondered what those meet and greet things are really like, I would have been disappointed to. I would definitely have voted for seeing 1927 instead – love them. But it was great to hear that the concert was so good and I'm still jealous that you got to see them live!
Good to hear the concert was great, disappointing that your prize didn't incorporate much more than a handshake and hello!
Brilliant review. Thanks for getting in touch again recently. I can't believe I have not spoken with you all year! Things have been pretty flat out here with lots of work on and two house moves in two months, but we are settling in a bit more now. Will call soon. I still miss going to concerts with you. x
You met Roxette!! I remember way back when IO loved their songs so much, I'd turn up the volume and dance around the kitchen while I washed and dried the dishes.
1927 are great…they've been touring for the past few years…got to meet them and have photos taken. Check out the 1927 FB Page for more info…no doubt you'll get another chance… They've just released a new album.
I would have been a little disappointed with that meet & greet experience. I think you guys should have at least been able to get individual photos with the band & all. Still, you looked great & it looks like you had a great night!
Maybe they are shy?
Looked like a fun night, I think I would have known every word.
What a bummer you couldn't spend more time with them, and to get decent photos. You would think the radio station would have had a photographer there to shoot some pics for promotional purposes. I'm glad you enjoyed the concert!