Singer Marie Fredriksson of the Swedish hit pop band Roxette showed thousands of South African fans that she has (still) "got the look" even after a bitter fight against brain cancer.

Roxette played three sold-out shows in Cape Town this week as part of the band's latest world tour - the first since Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002. Their debut performance on Sunday evening attracted 7000 fans.

In an interview, Roxette vocalist and guitarist Per Gessle said Fredriksson was being carefully monitored.

"Marie was so sick in 2002; the odds of her surviving at the time were 5%. "So this entire tour is basically planned around her. We make sure that we don't travel on days we have concerts," he said.

"She's feeling great, though. For example, we're coming from South America where it was 35°C and very humid. Everyone collapsed, except Marie."

Fredriksson, who turns 53 on May 30, fainted in her bathroom on September 11 2002 and was later diagnosed with cancer. The tumour was removed and chemotherapy and radiation treatment followed. At the time it was reported that she had permanent brain damage, lost the ability to read and the vision in her right eye, and experienced some loss of movement.

Roxette, with worldwide sales estimated at 60 million albums, will entertain audiences with hits such as Joyride and Look Sharp! at Sun City this weekend. The tour, which kicked of in Russia in February, is scheduled to finish in Belgium in July.

Meanwhile, British dance duo Groove Armada will hit Johannesburg and Cape Town stages with their new "Red Light Decks and FX" show this weekend.

The electronic group, comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, is famous for dance anthems such as I See You Baby and has collaborated with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Prince. After South Africa, the band is headed for gigs in Russia and Ibiza.

Their local backstage riders include Verve Cliquot champagne and Grey Goose or Stoli premium vodka. This week Cato said they tried to balance their gruelling touring and clubbing schedule with a healthy eating regime.

"We're definitely not hotel room service kind of guys. When we tour we like to get out and try local things. At home I grow a lot of my own food and eat quite well," he said.

Gessle of Roxette, who have toured South Africa before, said it was good to be back. "The audiences here are very generous. It's interesting - the further north [in the world] you go the more quiet audiences seem to get."