I’m a huge Roxette fan. I was so disappointed when I couldn’t attend a show on their previous South African tour so I was so excited to finally be able to watch them live as they celebrated 30 years in the entertainment industry. What was even more exciting was that Watershed were chosen as the support act for this leg of the tour.
Watershed have been out of the music scene for a few years and came back with a country-inspired album last year called ‘Watch The Rain’. I love their new direction and they didn’t disappoint on the night. Craig Hinds, Watershed’s lead singer, is a fantastic vocalist. His live performance is incredible and he is easily one of the best singers in South Africa. The band sang a mixture of their old hits and new tracks and they totally smashed it. The band is super energetic on stage and the audience was so excited seeing them live after a few years of absence. It has been a long time since a local band impressed me as much as Watershed did that night.
Roxette kicked off their set with ‘Sleeping In My Car’ which immediately got the crowd pumped up. Per and the band were a ball of energy and rocked so hard on stage. Marie, however, had to sit the entire performance. Marie was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Marie has surgery to remove the tumor and went through intense chemotherapy and radiation which not only left her almost blind in one eye, but physically weak as well. Although Marie sat throughout the show, she looked as if she was sitting on a throne and still gave the most incredible performance which was incredible to see.
One tends to forget just how many hits Roxette has had which is why I love these greatest hits tours. The band performed their smash hit singles such as ‘Joyride’, ‘Stars’. ‘How Do You Do!’ and ‘It Must Have Been Love’. The show was a seated performance but it didn’t take long for the crowd to stand up and rock out. Marie and Per’s vocals were flawless and they sang each song with so much feeling and emotion as if they haven’t performed these tracks a million times.
It’s amazing to see that an act who has been making hits for three decades still move a crowd and that’s exactly what happened at this show. Looking around me, so many people, young and old, had been affected by their music in one way or another (myself included) and watching the songs that have made a difference in your life live is an incredibly special thing. Roxette are a brilliant live act and if you missed this show, you should totally be kicking yourself.
Setlist:
Sleeping in My Car
The Big L.
Stars
Spending My Time
Crash! Boom! Bang!
Crush on You
She’s Got Nothing On (But the Radio)
The Heart Shaped Sea
Watercolours in the Rain / Paint
Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)
How Do You Do!
It Must Have Been Love
Dressed for Success
Dangerous
Joyride
Listen to Your Heart
The Look
Were you at the show? Let me know what you thought of Roxette’s performance!
Pics: Big Concerts
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