In the late eighties, quite unpredictably, a Swedish blend of rock and pop decided it was going to take over the world. A revisionist view of music history might suggest that Roxette were a flash in the pan, a fad finally buried beneath a deluge of grunge and Britpop, but the reality is undeniable.

Formed by Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson in 1986, Roxette had already sold nearly a million copies of their debut LP, that year's 'Pearls of Passion', and reached No 2 on the Swedish album chart before the rest of the world took notice. Their second record, 'Look Sharp!', shipped nine million units worldwide, hitting the top five in the UK and No 23 in the US. It also produced the breakthrough single 'The Look', as well as hits 'Dressed for Success' and 'Listen to Your Heart'.

In 1990, Per and Marie were forever etched into cinematic history with their track 'It Must Have Been Love' which was on the soundtrack for the film, 'Pretty Woman'. The movie was, of course, a huge hit and the song - originally a Christmas song - was, somewhat reluctantly, remixed with some lyrics redubbed. The patched-up version became the band's third No 1 single in the US, following 'The Look' and 'Listen to Your Heart'. The next single, the title track from their next record 'Joyride', was also a No 1 stateside.

This year saw the release of the band's eighth studio album, 'Charm School', and a series of reunion gigs following a hiatus of around seven years. Another big hit at home, the record has helped take their global record sales past the estimated 50 million mark.

Roxette have so far announced three arena dates for the summer, beginning at the SECC in Glasgow on 3rd July, followed by the MEN Arena on 4th July and then Birmingham's LG Arena on Friday 6th July 2012. More dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

We will have tickets available for the gigs announced to date when they go on sale at 9AM on Friday 18th November, priced around £35.

In the meantime, Per and Marie will be holding court at Wembley Arena tomorrow night. We have tickets available priced £35, which would need to be collected from the venue.