Which Eurovision star is the new voice of Roxette?

Which iconic Swedish Eurovision star is currently touring Australia as Roxette's new vocalist?

Roxette is a band we all know and love, with timeless hits like It Must Have Been Love, Listen to Your Heart, and The Look.

But here’s something you might not know—Roxette now features a Eurovision star as their lead singer!

Roxette: A walk down memory lane

Bursting onto the world stage in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the much-loved duo of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle became synonymous with catchy, heart-stirring anthems.

Their music, characterised by incredible melodies and dynamic performances, secured their place as one of the world’s most beloved musical acts.

Thanks in part to featuring on the Pretty Woman soundtrack, It Must Have Been Love became one of the biggest hits of the 90s.

However, in December 2019, the band faced tragedy with the devastating passing of lead singer Marie Fredriksson. Her battle with brain cancer, which she had been fighting for over a decade, tragically ended after a prolonged period of illness, leaving fans heartbroken.

For long-time fans, it seemed impossible to imagine the band continuing without Marie’s iconic voice. Yet, Gessle was determined to honour the band’s legacy and continue performing the classic hits of Roxette we all know and love.

So when it came time to find the perfect female vocalist to bring Roxette's hits to life on their 2025 tour, it only made sense for Gessle to turn to another iconic Swede – Eurovision veteran Lena Philipsson!

Lena Philipsson: Eurovision Star

Lena Philipsson’s journey to Eurovision stardom began in 2004, when she competed in Sweden's Melodifestivalen with her native-language hit Det gör ont. The song, with its relatable lyrics combined with Lena’s fun delivery, quickly captured the attention of Swedish audiences.

Lena performing the Swedish language version of Det gör ont at Melodifestivalen 2004.

A certified hit in Sweden, Det gör ont peaked at number one on the charts for seven weeks. Lena’s captivating performance finally secured her first Melodifestivalen victory after three previous attempts, and earned her a ticket to compete at the 49th Eurovision Song Contest held in Istanbul, Türkiye.

As was common for Swedish entrants in the early 2000s, the song underwent a glow-up between Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, translating from a Swedish-language tune to the English-language banger It Hurts, to make the package more accessible to global audiences.

Melodifestivalen's Det gör ont was translated into the English-language It Hurts by the time it reached Eurovision.

Her performance at Eurovision was a standout—visually striking in a short fuschia pink dress and matching knee-high boots—finishing in a very respectable fifth place (behind Ukranian winner Ruslana’s Wild Dances).

Despite not winning the contest, Lena garnered an immense fan following thanks to her powerhouse vocals and passionate delivery. The track became one of her signature songs, cementing her status as one of Sweden's most beloved pop figures.

After her run with Eurovision, Lena’s career continued to blossom in Sweden, making her a household name with songs like Leva Livet (English: Live Life), Dansa i neon (English: Dance in the neon light), and the instantly-catchy Maria Magdalena.

With numerous hits spanning two decades, Lena solidified her status as a cultural icon, paving the way for her eventual role as the new lead vocalist for Roxette.

2019's autobiographical hit Maria Magdalena

What Has The Fan Reaction Been Like?

When it was announced that Lena Philipsson would step into Marie Fredriksson’s shoes, fans worldwide were intrigued. How would she honour Marie’s inimitable voice while making the role her own?

Thankfully, the response so far has been a tremendously positive one. Lena’s dynamo vocals bring fresh energy to Roxette’s songs in a way that also stays true to Marie’s original footprint, and fans have overwhelmingly embraced Lena stepping in to cover Roxette's signature tunes.

Video courtesy Lukasz Suda

Eurovision and Roxette collide: The next chapter

Lena Philipsson’s role as Roxette’s new frontwoman marks a new era for the iconic Swedish band. Of course, no one could ever replace Marie Fredriksson, but Lena’s vocal talent and stage presence offer an exciting and respectful continuation of the band’s legendary musical journey.

As Lena brings some Eurovision flair to her tour with Roxette, she proves that she’s more than just a replacement - she’s an integral part of a new chapter in the band’s history.

Roxette on tour

Are you excited to see Lena put her unique spin on Roxette's timeless classics? Don’t miss the chance to catch her live on tour!

Having wowed audiences in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney so far on the Australian leg of their tour, there’s still a chance to catch Roxette before they commence the European leg of their tour mid-year.

Upcoming Australian tour dates

March 9 – Wollongong, WUB Entertainment Centre

March 11 – Adelaide, Entertainment Centre

March 13 – Hobart, MyState Bank Arena

March 15 – Hunter Valley, Bimbadgen (A Day On The Green)

March 16 – Mount Cotton, Sirromet Wines (A Day On The Green)

March 18 – Melbourne, Margaret Court Arena

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