Avicii Announces Retirement From Live Performances

Avicii. Image: commons.wikimedia.org

Swedish EDM producer Tim Bergling aka Avicii says he will retire from live performance and touring from 2017 onwards. In a somewhat vague statement on his official website, the Swedish DJ/producer explained that he had “too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist”.

Bergling, best known for hits ranging from “Wake Me Up” and “Levels” to his 2015 album Stories, also said, “I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist […] I’ve become an adult while growing as an artist, I’ve come to know myself better and realize that there’s so much I want to do with my life. I have strong interests in different areas but there’s so little time to explore them.”

Billboard notes that another possible reason behind Bergling calling it a day as a live performer may have to do with his past health issues. The artist canceled part of his tour in 2014 after continued health concerns after his gall bladder and appendix were removed.

The letter also included acknowledgements of various musicians, producers, collaborators and fans: “But last but not least thank you to every fan who has ever bought a ticket or snuck in, bought a song or downloaded it, commented on posts or hated at them. Its your thoughts and ideas about the music that helped me evolve and I do owe everything I have to you.”

Bergling–who has taken up the initiative of performing at Swedish festival series The Flying Dutch alongside fellow EDM producers and Swedes Alesso, Steve Angello and Dada Life this July–ended the letter on a slightly positive note, “One part of me can never say never, I could be back …but I won’t be right back.”

Given the unclear nature of the statement, there is a strong possibility that the announcement could be an early April Fool’s Day prank, although Avicii isn’t exactly as much of an enfant terrible like his contemporary – Canadian EDM DJ Deadmau5. Stay tuned for updates.