Mucio

The historic DJ set of @avicii at @tomorrowland 2011 is back. That performance had disappeared from official channels for years. It’s back because Tim’s family, his labels and Tomorrowland decided his legacy belongs to the fans. Perfect timing because Levels turns 15 today. The story behind Levels is pure Tim. He heard Etta James’ voice on a Pretty Lights track and couldn’t let it go. He went straight to the source: “Something’s Got A Hold On Me,” a gospel soul record from 1962. He said he chose it because her voice was timeless and raw. He built the hook first. Then he dropped Etta on top. It just worked. Before it was even released, Levels was already a legend. Tim first played the version with Etta’s vocal at Ultra in March 2011. By the time he played Tomorrowland that summer, crowds were losing their minds over a track you couldn’t even buy yet. Watch the video closely. That booth was stacked. Adam Russakoff, cofounder of Ultra, is right there. So are @NERVOmusic, the sisters who had their own vocal version called Enough Is Enough, one that never saw the light of day. And @afrojack in the DJ booth, watching history happen. Then it dropped on October 28, 2011, and the world caught up. Top 10 in 15 countries. Number 1 on the US dance club chart. His first Billboard Hot 100 entry. A Grammy nomination.