Review: Roxette at LG Arena, Birmingham

If ever there was a singer who looked pleased to be on a stage it is Roxette's Marie Fredriksson.

Sidelined for seven years after treatment for a brain tumour, she and guitarist-singer Per Gessle reunited three years ago and last night brought their hit-packed show to the LG Arena.

The Swedish duo were backed up by a five-piece band who really put the rock into nearly two hours of sugar sweet pop-rock confection.

Following the simple maxim that is also the name of their greatest hits collection - Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus! - they powered through songs including The Look, Joyride, Listen To Your Heart and Dressed For Success.

It was Elton John who said 'sad songs say so much' and Roxette capitalised on that with the poignant It Must Have Been Love and Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave), the LG Arena audience only too happy to provide backing vocals.

Fifty-four-year-old Fredriksson, although looking a little frail at times, was clad head to toe in rock chick leathers, and her voice has lost none of its power.

Gessle, looking impossibly youthful, was happy to bounce around the stage, pulling rock star shapes with his guitar and whipping the audience along.

The guitarist said recently that after her illness his musical partner's live performances were like "the world's oddest rehab". Last night showed that music, like love, is the best medicine.

By Ian Harvey