Swedish DJ Avicii will retire from doing live shows after his 2016 run, according to a statement he posted on his website today.
Avicii, born Tim Berling, spoke to tabloid! in a phone interview earlier this month about learning to function outside of his music career.
“I’ve really had the time to focus on a lot of the everyday stuff that I honestly hadn’t had the time to focus on in like, eight years. Because I’ve just been going. And when I haven’t been touring, I’ve been in the studio or doing interviews or something else — there’s always been something,” he said. “Honestly, 2016 is me, I guess, focusing on myself. Just learning: what kind of music do I want to do in the future?”
On his website, the 26-year-old posted an extended thank-you note to his friends, fans and colleagues before announcing his retirement from the stage. He will honour his shows this year, which include a Dubai World Trade Centre gig on April 1.
“My path has been filled with success but it hasn’t come without its bumps. 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,” he said in the statement.
“Two weeks ago, I took the time to drive across the US with my friends and team, to just look and see and think about things in a new way. It really helped me realize that I needed to make the change that I’d been struggling with for a while.
“My choices and career have never been driven by material things, although I’m grateful for all the opportunities and comforts my success has availed me. 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 will however never let go of music — I will continue to speak to my fans through it, but I’ve decided this 2016 run will be my last tour and last shows. Let’s make them go out with a bang!”
One particularly personal shout out was made to his bodyguard, Semi Baddredine: “I have a weird feeling I could be dead If it wasn’t for you and I will always love and support you.”
Avicii thanked every one of his fans who “has ever bought a ticket or snuck in, bought a song or downloaded it, commented on posts or hated at them. It’s your thoughts and ideas about the music that helped me evolve and I do owe everything I have to you.”
He poignantly signed the note with his real name, writing, “Yours forever, Tim.” In fine print, he reached out a final time: “P.S. I’ve got a new phone so you can text me re all this +46769436383. Please bare [sic] with me I might not be super quick to reply. X”
In 2014, Avicii cancelled a Dubai gig after suffering from a ruptured appendix and gall bladder pains. In 2015, he axed his American tour dates to focus on a “normal” life. His last album, Stories, came out in 2015. He told tabloid! that musically, he’s sticking to his gut. “It’s almost like I’ve gotten to a place [that] I’ve seen other artists [reach] — where they’ve all constantly been saying that the music is what matters to them, and that they don’t really care what other people think. I’ve wanted that for so long. But I think it’s finally starting to happen, a little bit.”
In an email interview two years ago, he told tabloid!: “It’s still crazy. But this is my dream — being able to make a living in music and travel around like I do. I feel so fortunate. I remind myself of that all the time and that’s what keeps me going,” later adding, “Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.”
Asked whether he has time to go home to his own bed and cook his own meals, he admitted, “Not much, but I cherish the times that I’m able to. I’ll go home to either Sweden or LA and just turn off the Avicii part of me.”
*Tickets to Avicii’s Friday night gig are Dh395 on platinumlist.net. Show is 21+ only.
