ANTWERP -

Yesterday Roxette played together as "Roxette" for the first time in over eight years (The "Room Service" tour, 2001) at Night of the Proms in Antwerp, Belgium. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports that Marie was certainly the star of this bizarre evening. Roxette gets 3/5 for the concert, and probably would have gotten more hadn't they been so rusty the first song. "There's no doubt she's enjoying being part of Roxette again" Håkan Steen writes. It's very clear to Håkan that both Per and Marie want this more than anything, and more is to come. "Per twangs his guitar like he never took a break [he didn't! ed.] and it's very touching seeing Marie's smile in 'It Must Have Been Love' when she realizes they still have an audience and it wants to sing along!" Håkan continues mentioning that she doesn't move on stage like she used to and her voice is nervous, but warms up by all the love flowing from the numerous fans there.

Håkan's play by play comments:

Wish I Could Fly 2/5
The symphony orchestra opens with Hugo Alfvéns "Midsommarvaka." Then Per and Marie enters through the floor accompanied by huge cheers. This is however not Roxette's strongest song and the performance is rather shaky.

The Look 4/5
Ingenious, cool and almost gospel-like when the symphony orchestra jabs it up in the end.

It Must Have Been Love 3/5
"Let's slow it down a little, with a song that reminds us of Hollywood" says Per and starts the old classic acoustically. Confetti and sing along.

Joyride 3/5
This rocker actually gets a nice botox injection by the orchestra. The nerves have relaxed here and Per enjoys his rock poses and Marie plays air guitar.

Listen to Your Heart 4/5
The night's obvious climax. The.Best.Swedish.Powerballad.Ever is of course even better with tons of strings in the background. Marie lets her voice crack in all the right places and I even feel some goosebumps sneaking up on me.