Even decades after their commercial peak, the melodies of Roxette possess an uncanny ability to induce goosebumps. In Düsseldorf’s Mitsubishi-Electric-Halle, the atmosphere was charged with nostalgia as the greatest hit band of the 1990s took to the stage once again. For many, the story of Sweden’s most successful export since ABBA seemed to have reached its definitive conclusion in 2016, when they retired from touring, or certainly by 2019, following the tragic death of lead singer Marie Fredriksson at the age of 61 after a long illness.

Yet, Per Gessle had other ideas. The 66-year-old songwriter and co-founder, who appears remarkably untouched by the passage of time, recently admitted he simply missed playing the tracks that defined the soundscape of the eighties and nineties like few others. Consequently, Gessle has orchestrated a restart. It is a venture that relies heavily on a new female vocalist to fill the formidable void left by Fredriksson, bringing a fresh energy to the classic repertoire whilst respecting the band’s storied legacy.

Ayliva Retains Her Crown

Whilst veteran rockers were turning back the clock in the Rhineland, a very different celebration of musical success was taking place in the capital, highlighting how the industry has shifted from physical ticket sales to digital dominance. In Berlin, the streaming giant YouTube hosted its annual gala, where the 27-year-old singer Ayliva was named Artist of the Year for the third consecutive time.

Hailing from the Ruhr area, Ayliva has proven to be an unstoppable force on the platform, securing the top spot based on total views within Germany. In the race for the title, she managed to outperform heavyweights such as the rappers RAF Camora and Apache 207. Her consistency is notable, having already secured several number-one hits, including “Sie weiß” featuring Mero and the collaborative track “Wunder” with Apache 207.

The Rise of the Teen Sensation

The evening in Berlin also shone a spotlight on the rapid ascent of Germany’s next generation of talent. The title of Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Zah1de, a 15-year-old rapper from Berlin known for her track “Mona Lisa Motion”. It has been a remarkable period for the teenager, who only recently claimed a Bambi award in the “Shooting Star” category, cementing her status as a voice to watch.

Further honours were distributed across the genre spectrum. Oimara secured the award for the most popular song of the year with his catchy earworm “Wackelkontakt”, whilst the accolade for the most successful music video went to Jazeek. The Aachen-born rapper, born in 1999, generated a staggering 17 million views for his video accompanying the song “Akon”, illustrating the sheer scale of digital consumption amongst younger audiences.

Influencers Setting the Agenda

The shift in entertainment consumption was further underscored on the same evening by TikTok, which also held its awards ceremony in Berlin to honour those who set trends and inspired communities throughout the year. Fabian Rashagai was voted “Creator of the Year” by users. With nearly 650,000 followers and an accumulated total of around 60.8 million likes on his videos, his win was described by organisers as a testament to his strong presence and the massive reach he commands on the platform. Whether through the enduring pop-rock of Roxette or the viral snippets of TikTok stars, the German entertainment landscape remains a diverse mix of the classic and the hyper-modern.