Roxette frontman reveals replacement for late Marie Fredriksson as the band makes a major announcement

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Roxette frontman Per Gessle has announced that Swedish superstar Lena Philipson will replace the late Marie Fredriksson for the band’s Australian tour early next year.

Fredriksson, known for her signature platinum blonde hairdo, died in 2019 at the age of 61 after a 17-year battle with a brain tumor she was diagnosed with in 2002.

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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Roxette star Per Gessle talks new tour.

Roxette is known for chart-topping hits such as Listen to Your Heart, It Must Have Been Love and Spending My Time and has a global fan base.

Roxette will play in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Adelaide and Hobart, followed by A Day On The Green gigs at wineries in the Hunter Valley and Mount Cotton.

On Friday’s Sunrise, Gessle spoke about his decision to reform the band after Fredriksson’s death and their last performance in 2016.

“Making the decision was difficult,” Gessle said.

“You know my partner in Roxette, Marie, passed away in 2019, so I really didn’t know what to do with this catalog of songs.

“I decided not to start a new duo, but to hire a good friend of mine who is also an amazing singer and an amazing performer here in Sweden.

“Lena (Philipsson) is actually a superstar here in Sweden.”

Gessle said the tour coincides with the band’s resurgence in popularity.

“I don’t know if it’s the right time – I just feel like there’s a big world out there that still enjoys Roxette songs,” Gessle said.

“I want to pay homage to the Roxette catalog. It’s not about new music, it’s about old hits.”

Gessle praised Philipsson’s style.

“She’s very different to Marie, of course, but she has her own style and I think she’ll fit the Roxette songs perfectly,” he said.

“We haven’t started rehearsing or anything, but we’ve played a few songs together and they sound great.

“I’m really happy.”

Advance ticket sales begin Wednesday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets to the general public will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10am.

Tour dates

Melbourne: Margaret Court Arena, Friday 7 March 2025.

Sydney: ICC Sydney Theatre, Saturday 8 March 2025.

Wollongong: WIN Entertainment Centre, Sunday 9 March 2025.

Adelaide: Leisure Centre, Tuesday 11 March 2025

Hobart: Mystate Bank Arena, Thursday 13 March 2025

Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley: A Day on The Green, Saturday 15 March 2025.

Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton: A Day on the Green, Sunday 16 March 2025.