After Selling 80 Million Albums, Legendary Pop-Rock Act Has North American Tour Canceled by Live Nation
Swedish pop-rock duo Roxette have had their planned 40th-anniversary North American tour cancelled by promoter Live Nation US, just as the act, which has sold roughly 80 million albums, prepared to mark four decades since forming. The tour, which was to include a stop at Pine Knob, was called off due to logistics and sharply increased touring costs, according to a statement Roxette shared on Instagram, though the promoter's own wording described it as a "postponement" rather than an outright cancellation.
Ticketmaster, however, listed the shows as cancelled outright, with refunds due to be processed within 14 to 21 days. Many fans reacted with anger, particularly those who had already paid for non-refundable international travel, including one person who said they had booked visas and flights from Argentina to Canada. Roxette, now fronted by Lena Philipsson following original singer Marie Fredriksson's death in 2019, responded to the backlash by saying the decision was made by Live Nation USA based on its own calculations, and expressed hope of touring the US and Canada, their biggest streaming market, at some point in the near future.
In short
- Roxette's 40th-anniversary North American tour has been cancelled by Live Nation.
- Rising touring costs cited; Ticketmaster is issuing refunds within 14–21 days.
- Fans with non-refundable travel bookings have expressed anger over the decision.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Live Nation's decision reflects genuine economic realities: touring costs have risen sharply across labour, logistics and insurance, and proceeding with an unviable tour would benefit no one—not the promoter, venues, band or ultimately fans. Promoters must make difficult decisions based on market conditions and financial projections, and Roxette have not toured North America in years, making cost assessment particularly challenging. The refund policy at least offered fans a financial remedy.
The case against
Fans who purchased tickets made real, non-refundable commitments—flights, visas, accommodation from abroad—on the expectation that a legendary act with 80 million albums sold would honour its announced tour. Promoters should manage cost inflation as a routine business expense rather than shift that financial risk to consumers who made advance commitments. The confusion between Live Nation calling it a 'postponement' and Ticketmaster listing it as a 'cancellation' compounds the unfairness, leaving some fans uncertain about whether a rescheduled tour is genuinely planned.
Explained simply
Roxette is a Swedish pop-rock band that achieved enormous commercial success over four decades, selling approximately 80 million albums worldwide. The band's original lead singer, Marie Fredriksson, passed away in 2019; Lena Philipsson now fronts the group, which was preparing a 40th-anniversary tour across North America.
The planned tour has been cancelled by promoter Live Nation, which cited increased touring costs and logistical challenges. Confusion has arisen over the status of the dates, with Roxette describing it as a "postponement" whilst ticketing platform Ticketmaster listed them as cancelled outright, with refunds expected within 14 to 21 days.
The cancellation has disappointed fans, particularly those who had already committed to non-refundable international travel to attend the shows. The situation illustrates the financial pressures currently facing touring acts and promoters in the live music industry.
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