Johannesburg-based radio station HOT 102.7FM has once again taken on a strategic media partner role in delivering a big-name musical act to Johannesburg audiences – this time in partnership with Big Concerts.
Swedish super group Roxette will be live at the SunBet Arena, Time Square, in Pretoria on the 28th of February next year, led by founder, frontman, and songwriter, Per Gessle. He’ll be joined by the iconic Roxette band and talented Swedish singer and megastar, Lena Philipsson.
Philipsson steps into the void left by former lead singer Marie Fredriksson, who lost her battle with cancer nearly five years ago.
“Anyone who listened to popular music in the late-80s and early-90s knows exactly who Roxette are and just how big they were during that time,” said Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM. “So, they are a massive ‘Old Skool’ act and one we know will be hugely appealing to our audience, who just love seeing artists they grew up listening to, live in concert.”
Roxette were one of the biggest acts of the 1980s and 90s, thanks to hits such as ‘It Must Have Been Love’, ‘Listen to Your Heart’, ‘The Look’, ‘Joyride’, ‘Dressed for Success’, ‘Dangerous’, and ‘Fading Like a Flower’ – all written by Gessle.
The group has a huge catalogue of catchy hits that concert-goers can look forward to and, as the Big Concert media partner for the concert, HOT 102.7FM has been tasked with using its influential platforms to drive awareness with its engaged upper SEM audience and, ultimately, ticket sales.
This campaign launched on the HOT 1027 Breakfast on Monday, 6 May, with tickets going on sale to the public at 09h00 on Friday, 10 May on ticketmaster.co.za and bigconcerts.co.za.
“This is all about my Roxette songs, this huge bundle of music and lyrics I’ve been writing for well over three decades,” said Gessle in a Big Concerts statement. “I’m not starting a new duo. Marie will always be irreplaceable. However, I’m really lucky to have found an amazing voice and a brilliant performer in Lena Philipsson. I co-wrote Lena’s first major hit back in 1986 and she’s one of the brightest shining stars Sweden has ever known. I’m extremely proud she wants to join me in my trek to keep the Roxette legacy alive.”
The Roxette news is fresh off the back of Scottish rock band Deacon Blue visiting South Africa for the very first time in February and legendary synth-pop band OMD playing to a sold-out crowd in April – both concerts powered by HOT 102.7FM.
Closer to home at HOT 102.7FM, the station also recently announced that experienced broadcasters Jeremy Maggs and Darren Scott had joined its list of quality presenters – further strengthening the station’s on-air line-up. HOT 102.7FM was also recently honoured in three categories at the 2024 New York Festivals Radio Awards – widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of the radio industry’ – shortly after launching four new online streams on the station’s website and app – HOT Rock, HOT Easy, HOT Funk, and HOT Club.
