CAPE TOWN – Roxette has been out of the South African public’s eye for almost 10 years. Barely no one knows about their own 9/11, or their triumphant comeback during the Night Of The Proms tour.

However, it seems like we haven’t forgotten about them down here. With no less than seven sold out concerts (some of them within days) and with the first single off Charm School making waves on the local radio stations, our favorite pop duo was welcomed warmly to a cold and rainy Cape Town on Friday May 6.

One could feel their excitement with the Twitter & Facebook messages they shared with the fans. Memories of previous visits, as well as their new experiences on the wine farms and attractions around South Africa’s Mother City.

Fast forward to Sunday, May 8. Social media websites were buzzing with fans on their way to Roxette’s first concert here in just over 15 years. The band was in top form, even after their two week break. One fan commented: “I am a 30 something and  struggled to keep up at their pace!”

Per spent the following day doing a press conference and interview with the Cape Town radio station, and one of the sponsors for the tour, Kfm. Tuesday May 10 saw the band shooting segments for the “Way Out” music video, directed by the Swedish production company, Arena Grande. You might be familiar with their work as they were the production company behind the Party Crasher Tour DVD.

While all of this was going on the South African media slowly joined… the joyride. This reporter has noticed that the local and national radio stations can’t seem to get enough of Roxette’s back catalogue! And yes, “Radio” is also being played to death. Competitions to win Charm School, tickets, the back catalogue, etc. are extensively promoted. Local, national and online newspapers are running articles on the duo. Giving them, Charm School and the concerts the kind of promotion they never would’ve received otherwise.

Getting back to the concerts, it seems like every night was an improvement on the previous. The morning after the final concert in Cape Town Facebook & Twitter was alive with comments from the concert goers; which included the dedicated fans, the new fans, the old fans and the curious. People who haven’t listened to Roxette in years rediscovered their love for them, others were rushing to the music shops and the rest were congratulating and thanking the Swedes for one of the greatest shows they’ve ever attended.

This reporter however, was treated to an exclusive Q&A with Per a couple of hours before the final show in Cape Town. He gave some insight on the production of the concerts and spoke about the “Way Out” music video, which will be in a similiar style to that of the “Run To You” video. A live DVD is also in the making and who knows, maybe even a follow-up to Tourism! (Two-rism?)

As the weekend beckons and the second part of the South African tour draws closer, I can’t help but to get swept up in all the excitement and downright fan craziness of this historic tour!

This reporter will be back when the dust has settled and the adrenalin in my body has run out.