Norwegian duo Marit Larsen and Marion Raven or simply M2M, set the record straight during their final leg of The Better Endings Tour in Southeast Asia on Monday.

Here are memorable moments from the concert:

1. Quirky and Cute moments on stage 

“I had a flat tyre and ended up at a café in Oslo,” Raven recalled with a smile. “Larsen walked in that morning; no doubt about it, we were meant to meet again after 20 years. It felt like the universe was giving us a sign.” Larsen added, “We’ve been talking about that day ever since; it comes up often in our dressing room chats.” Leading up to their much-anticipated reunion concert, M2M had secretly recorded new mixes, dropping hints but keeping the big reveal under wraps until September last year.

Also, if you grew up circa the 90’s, watching them back on stage was like a shot of pure déjà vu. Raven and Larsen lit up the room in shimmering, retro-inspired outfits,  think Hairspray glam, meets the charm of That Thing You Do. The minimalist set design only added to the magic, proving that sometimes, less really is more.

2. Evergreen hits that has evolved and Solo performances

“I grew up listening to Celine Dion… and our fans are in their 40s now,” Raven quipped. The audience laughed, and so did I, being right in that age bracket myself, guilty!

There were no flashy lyric prompts on LED screens, like most concerts. But that didn’t matter. The audience filled the gaps effortlessly, singing along to the full repertoire – Don’t Say You Love Me, Everything You Do, The Day You Went Away, What You Do About Me. These songs have aged like fine wine, but their meanings evolve as we do.

One of the most touching moments came when Raven introduced Pretty Boy, once a playful ode to a crush, now reimagined as a sweet dedication to her one-year-old son. Secondly, Larsen performed If A Song Could Get Me You, about heartbreak and longing. There was a quiet kind of joy in the room, a shared memory of growing up, letting go, and still holding on to the songs that got us through while we became adults.

3. M2M’s Official Tour Merchandise

From Jakarta to Singapore, I observed fans’ enthusiasm on social media. The catalogue was impressive, and it featured tote bags, official event t-shirts to baby onesies (yes, you read that correctly) and light sticks in various shapes. 

On display at the Star Theatre, the item that particularly caught my attention was the pocket mirrors. At first, it seemed unusual. But upon closer thought, it was quite clever ~ a subtle nod to one of M2M’s hit songs. You could almost hear the lyrics echoing: “Mirror mirror hanging on the wall… You don’t have to tell me who’s the biggest fool of all...” I settled with a black tote bag featuring M2M’s signature tour logo, a perfect blend of practicality and sentiment.

The tour marked a memorable return to the stage with their live performances across Asia. The bond between Larsen and Raven was unmistakable as they embraced tightly on stage during the curtain call, their friendship and connection felt as genuine as ever.

For longtime fans, it was a moving moment. We have grown older, perhaps wiser, and yet their music still resonates, reminding us that enduring friendships and shared memories can prevail, even through life’s most challenging times.