In celebration of the 10-year-anniversary of the seminal dance track “Levels,” a never-before-seen video has been shared of DJ, songwriter and producer Avicii performing the song for a crowd of thousands at Ibiza’s Ushuaia in 2016. The event marked the late musician’s final live performance.
Avicii retired from live performances in March of 2016, citing the need to make a change he’d been struggling with. “I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform,” he wrote in a letter to his fans. “But I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist.”
Released on this day in 2011, “Levels” captured global acclaim and propelled Avicii, born Tim Bergling, to international stardom. The Swedish artist built the track around a vocal sample from Etta James’ 1962 classic “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and subsequently altered the state of dance music.
“Levels” became Avicii’s first Billboard Hot 100 entry, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks, and landed at No.1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Later, it was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Recording at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
The platinum certified song received remixes from a number of artists including Cassette and Henrik B, but most notably from Skrillex.
“The remix I did of Levels hasn’t left my set since I made it back in 2011,” Skrillex wrote in a note shared to social media following the sudden passing of Avicii in 2018. “All though we weren’t ‘close friends’ I feel this deep sadness through the connection we had through this song. Tim was truly a genius and an innovator, yet sensitive and humble.”
He went on to add: “Your music will forever be a part of mine and so many other lives … I hope you know that as long as human beings are alive on this planet, you will forever remain an inspiration.”
