Today's Throwback Thursday moment looks back at the infamous time Avicii performed his new album on stage at Ultra on March 22, 2013.
The day before Avicii took the stage in Miami, Avicii wrote “we're about change this performance game yet again” but little did he know what was to come from it.
Avicii began his set with his typical songs and sounds, but then during the middle of his set decided to play his new tracks from the album ‘TRUE.' The crowd instantly became confused and angered by the “folk,” “bluegrass” and “country” style of music Avicii was playing. The set was not received well and many people backlashed at Avicii for his new sounds.
Avicii responded a few days later by saying the following:
“Wow looks like I stirred up some controversy with my set friday night at UMF. Seeing alot of people who dont understand. My full set wasn’t being streamed, only the last 40ish minutes with all new material from my album.
In a 75 minute set, I brought a 15 minute different breakdown with live musicians to a festival with nonstop dance music for 3 days straight 2 weeks in a row . I really wanted to switch things up and do something fun and different, as I always strive for, and this album is about experimentation and about showing the endless possibilities of house and electronic music. Its about how to incorporate acoustic instruments from different styles and influences you wouldnt expect and still stay true to your own sound and musicality which for me has always been about the melodies and positive energy. I will always produce music that I love and listen to. But my album is certainly not “country”, and people have gotten hung up on an instrument we used for the live cover of a song. Every song on the album is a fusion with house and electronic music.
We wanted to make a statement, and theres really no better place to make one than UMF mainstage. People will soon see what it’s all about.
My music is open to anyone who wants to listen to it and I will always stay true to my sound. Love you all who listen with open hearts and open minds. These past few months Ive been so lucky to have had the chance to work with so many talented artists and to bring them there when I launch the album was amazing and they all did an amazing Job.This was my first time performing with a band and I couldnt have asked for more a professional team.”
Despite this album originally being heavily criticized, the album ‘TRUE' ended up going double platinum in Austria, Platinum in the UK and Sweden and Gold in Switzerland, New Zealand, Mexico, Colombia, Germany and Australia.
Watch Avicii's set from Ultra Music Festival live below:
