Swedish pop duo Roxette has announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated 40th Anniversary North American Tour, originally scheduled to commence on September 10, 2026, in Clarkston, Michigan. The decision, attributed to logistical challenges and significantly increased touring costs, was confirmed by the band and promoter Live Nation US.
In a statement released on social media, Roxette conveyed their disappointment:
"Due to logistics and hugely increased touring costs, Live Nation US has decided to postpone the North American tour. Hope to see you some other time down the road." (exclaim.ca)
Guitarist Per Gessle elaborated on the situation, expressing the band's eagerness to perform for their North American fans:
"Lena, I and the band are of course disappointed. We were really looking forward to this North American tour and the US is by far our biggest streaming market. This decision was made by Live Nation USA, which they probably based on their own calculations. I hope we can play for our fab fans in the USA and Canada at some point in the near future." (exclaim.ca)
The tour was set to celebrate four decades since Roxette's debut album, Pearls of Passion, and featured a lineup including Per Gessle and new vocalist Lena Philipsson. Special guests Taylor Dayne and Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets were also slated to join the tour. (parade.com)
Ticket holders have been informed that refunds will be processed automatically at the point of purchase. The band's European tour dates remain unaffected and will proceed as planned. (themusicuniverse.com)
This cancellation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the live music industry, where rising operational costs and logistical complexities continue to impact touring plans for artists worldwide.