Roxette’s North American 40th Anniversary Tour Canceled Amid Rising Costs

Roxette’s planned North American tour has been canceled, with Live Nation citing logistics and significantly increased touring costs. The Swedish pop-rock group announced the news via social media on July 25th. Guitarist and songwriter Per Gessle expressed disappointment, noting the U.S. is “by far our biggest streaming market.” He clarified the decision was made by Live Nation, “probably based on their own calculations.” The 14-date tour, supported by Taylor Dayne, Nick Lowe, and Los Straightjackets, was set to launch September 10th in Michigan. The cancellation reflects a growing industry trend dubbed “Blue Dot Fever,” referencing empty seats on Ticketmaster. Roxette, who scored four U.S. number-one hits between 1988 and 1991, continues touring Europe and other regions. Lena Philipsson has served as lead vocalist since 2024, following original singer Marie Frederiksson’s 2019 death. Story URL