ADOTG: Roxette, Boom Crash Opera and Jon Stevens
ADOTG : Sirromet Winery 16th March 2025
Exactly seven days before this weekend, the entire Mount Cotton area facing Moreton Bay literally saw cyclonic winds tear a destructive path through it, uprooting huge trees, pulling powerlines into deep blackness and shredding a blanket of million sticks and leaves over where we were now sitting. Talk about a “meant to be weekend” – what are the odds? I’m not sure just how lucky these Artists were. And talk about a genuine Aussie music concert! Even the entrance queue was entertained by a couple of Swamp Wallabies racing each other through the delighted crowds.
As we looked up into this crystal-clear night, we had experienced a warming sun, followed by a cool bay breeze and a glorious moon which provided the most fantastic natural spotlight on what was playing on earth underneath.
The afternoon started spot on time with the “Boom” part of Boom Crash Opera, as if these guys had returned for a second set. They were on fire from the very start as the opening act. Warming up the crowd on an already warm day. Some artists love to let their soles connect with the ground. Lead singer Dale was doing what we could determine as an interpretive dance – until he explained he had no shoes on, and the stage was burning hot.
This was a group that was clearly having fun, they played all their hits, like ‘Get Out of the House”, “The Best Thing”, “Onion Skin” and risking all, played a new song after 28 years, called “Latest Hustle”. The crowd, getting bigger now, loved it.
After a break Jon Stevens pumped life back into some classics back from his day in Noiseworks in 1987. Good gear with memorable golden hook lines like “No Lies”, (Reach out and…) Touch” and “Take Me Back”.
Stevens had the punters in the palm of his hands and with his own contributing energy level, he doubled that power even more so with INXS numbers from the Farris Brothers.
Clearly at this point Jon was a crowd favourite. His voice must be plutonium-powered because no one can touch the register he achieves, without falling over at some point. In a few short words let me say this: his band is amazing – end of story.
The last break saw the audience swell to capacity and settle in with refreshments at hand, in both hands and a few with double trips to the vendors. Pop culture analysts will tell you this is an excellent sign. Roxette was who they were hanging out for, and Roxette fans would not be denied. A slight delay raised the anxiety level a notch. Planned or unplanned, it was fine as we weren’t going anywhere. We had watched the stage layout being rebuilt, including more lights in front of a vast silver backdrop.
This is the junction where the Audio, Lighting and Digital video crew, given the signal from on stage – blew any remaining cobwebs out of Mt. Cotton. Roxette, finally! Last shows are my favourites – and this was theirs after a hectic Australian Tour. We gave them a huge crowd cheer as a “souvenir gift” and they loved it.
Even though original lead singer Marie Fredriksson sadly passed away in 2019, the new lead singer Lena Philipsson was accepted immediately by the audience along with Per Gessle. (Does he ever age?) This was Lena’s first time to Australia, and she loved it. Lena managed to grab the Aussie dialect beautifully – an endearing trait we all love – and should score highly on any citizenship application. Their voices are harmoniously matched. Lena delivered a truly stunning performance of the Roxette favourites we knew from earlier albums, tracks including: “Crash Boom Bang”, “Dangerous”, “Dressed for Success”, “Joyride”, and “It Must Have Been Love” to name a few, and surprise ones they hadn’t performed on the Tour before. Bonus for us!
Straightway, up went the mobile phones to capture parts or all of the concert, because essentially it was an event to remember. The Stars were definitely out tonight!
Words: Stu Robertson
Photos: Michelle Cop
Michelle Cop
Michelle is POPrepublic.tv's official photographer and has been shooting for us since the early 2000's, with her work appearing in many print magazine editions and online. She has photographed tours, events, in-stores, covers and editorials for not only Pop Republic but many other media outlets. An avid John Farnham fan and supporter of new and up-and-coming acts, she is primarily based in SE Queensland. Australia and is available for bookings.
Stu Robertson
Stu is a contributing reviewer for live events in SE QLD for POPrepublic.tv. When he does not attend a wide variety of gigs, he is the secretary for the board of LOGAN RADIO 101fm as well as on-air presenting talent.
