A new documentary focusing on the life of Avicii has touched on some unknown details about the DJ in the final days before his passing.
Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii, burst onto the music scene in 2011 with his hit, 'Levels', before going on to release a number of successful tunes during the 2010s, such as 'Wake Me Up' and 'The Nights'.
Sadly, the 28-year-old struggled with mental health issues and tragically took his own life in 2018.
But now, new details have emerged about the last few days before Avicii's death as a documentary on his life premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival over the summer.
Avicii was a very private man, despite his public status (Brian Killian/WireImage)The Swedish artist, who would have turned 35 on 8 September, was a very private person, so an insightful documentary looking back at his life will likely capture the attention of fans across the globe.
The film, Avicii: I'm Tim, features the artist himself giving a narration taken from a past interview about his career, as well as 'never-before-seen tour footage and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process'.
According to the synopsis, it 'honours his brilliant and peaceful nature, highlighting the impact of his innovative music that blended genres and pushed boundaries'.
The documentary features narration from the artist himself (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
What can viewers expect?
Throughout the documentary, Avicii admitted to suffering from anxiety, saying that he was ‘killing’ himself with his non-stop touring schedule.
Jesse Waits, the managing partner of a Las Vegas nightclub that was close to the artist, told filmmakers: "I realised he was taking painkillers.
“I grew up with a family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change. The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie, he was not there. At the dinner, his demeanour changed and his eyes dilated.
"That changed everything, those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s**t and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him it was to suppress his anxiety but it just created more anxiety.”
I'm Tim, directed by Henrik Burman, details where Avicii grew up in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and was so shielded from the outside world that he spent most of his first 19 years in a five-block radius, which included his school.
What can viewers expect?
Throughout the documentary, Avicii admitted to suffering from anxiety, saying that he was ‘killing’ himself with his non-stop touring schedule.
Jesse Waits, the managing partner of a Las Vegas nightclub that was close to the artist, told filmmakers: "I realised he was taking painkillers.
“I grew up with a family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change. The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie, he was not there. At the dinner, his demeanour changed and his eyes dilated.
"That changed everything, those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s**t and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him it was to suppress his anxiety but it just created more anxiety.”
I'm Tim, directed by Henrik Burman, details where Avicii grew up in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and was so shielded from the outside world that he spent most of his first 19 years in a five-block radius, which included his school.
Avicii was just 28 years old when he died in 2018 (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Who features in the documentary?
As well as Avicii himself in archival footage, the film also features interviews with his family and friends, and his close peers within the music industry such as Coldplay's Chris Martin and American musician Nile Rogers.
They also emphasised the toll that his touring took on him, and the impacts of becoming famous before the age of 20.
Avicii's schedule would often mean he played gigs in two cities in one night, and performed more than 800 shows in six years.
When will the documentary be released?
Despite the film premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival on 9 June, there has currently been no confirmation of when the documentary will be released more widely.
But this isn't the first film on Avicii's life and legacy - with Avicii: True Stories making its debut in 2017.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.Featured Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Instagram/@jessecwaits
Published 16:36 24 Jul 2024 GMT+1
Details released of Avicii’s ‘disturbing’ final phone call to family before he was found dead hours later
The late and great DJ was just 28-years-old when he passed away
Who features in the documentary?
As well as Avicii himself in archival footage, the film also features interviews with his family and friends, and his close peers within the music industry such as Coldplay's Chris Martin and American musician Nile Rogers.
They also emphasised the toll that his touring took on him, and the impacts of becoming famous before the age of 20.
Avicii's schedule would often mean he played gigs in two cities in one night, and performed more than 800 shows in six years.
When will the documentary be released?
Despite the film premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival on 9 June, there has currently been no confirmation of when the documentary will be released more widely.
But this isn't the first film on Avicii's life and legacy - with Avicii: True Stories making its debut in 2017.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.Featured Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Instagram/@jessecwaits
Published 16:36 24 Jul 2024 GMT+1
Details released of Avicii’s ‘disturbing’ final phone call to family before he was found dead hours later
The late and great DJ was just 28-years-old when he passed away
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing
Chilling details of the 'disturbing' final phone call made by Avicii just hours before he was found dead have emerged.
The late and great DJ tragically took his own life in April 2018 when he was just 28-years-old after struggling with his mental health for multiple years, telling his loved ones he just 'couldn't go any longer'.
He might have had a glittering career, with songs such as 'Wake Me Up' and 'I Could Be the One', while collaborating with superstars such as Madonna and David Guetta, but the Swedish hitmaker had struggled with life in the spotlight.
The star - real name Tim Bergling - told his team he was 'going to die' after completing 813 live shows in a span of eight years and he was desperate to call time on touring - which he eventually did for good in 2016.
But Avicii was also fighting other demons too.
He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in January 2012 and was hospitalised for 11 days as a result of his excessive alcohol use, a condition for which he was later prescribed opioids to deal with the pain, which he became dependent on.
Two years later, Tim underwent surgery to have both his appendix and gallbladder removed.
In 2015, he had a stint in rehab in a bid to overcome his struggles, explaining that his time in the facility was the most 'anxiety and stress-free days' he had in the last six years.
"Those were my true vacations, as depressing as it might sound," he wrote in a diary entry.
"The relief of going from extreme pain to none, knowing that no one is expecting anything other than for you to wait it out and then recover was huge. It was an extreme relief considering the insane schedule I had kept up until that point."
Avicii reportedly made a final frantic call to a family member hours before his tragic death. (Johnny Nunez/Getty)
He then announced he would be permanently retiring from touring the year after rehab.
The musician then took up transcendental meditation - which involves the silent repetition of a mantra while sitting with closed eyes - to combat his crippling anxiety, while he also began attending therapy.
But while he was enjoying a much-needed holiday in the beach resort of Muscat Hills, Oman, shortly before his death, a friend he had made on his travels alerted Avicii's loved ones and raised concerns about the star.
The pal reportedly told Tim's father that he was refusing to eat, speak, or take shade from the sun while meditating.
The final message in his journal, written the day before his death, saw the DJ pen a cryptic sentence about rebirth which read: "The shedding of the soul is the last attachment, before it restarts!"
Hours later, Tim is said to have called one of his relatives - with the family member being left so 'disturbed' by the contents of the conversation, they immediately got on the next flight to Oman, Swedish news outlet Stoppa Pressarna reported.
Tragically, the plane touched down two hours too late.
He then announced he would be permanently retiring from touring the year after rehab.
The musician then took up transcendental meditation - which involves the silent repetition of a mantra while sitting with closed eyes - to combat his crippling anxiety, while he also began attending therapy.
But while he was enjoying a much-needed holiday in the beach resort of Muscat Hills, Oman, shortly before his death, a friend he had made on his travels alerted Avicii's loved ones and raised concerns about the star.
The pal reportedly told Tim's father that he was refusing to eat, speak, or take shade from the sun while meditating.
The final message in his journal, written the day before his death, saw the DJ pen a cryptic sentence about rebirth which read: "The shedding of the soul is the last attachment, before it restarts!"
Hours later, Tim is said to have called one of his relatives - with the family member being left so 'disturbed' by the contents of the conversation, they immediately got on the next flight to Oman, Swedish news outlet Stoppa Pressarna reported.
Tragically, the plane touched down two hours too late.
The Swedish star had battled with his mental health for several years. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
A source told the publication: "The family was aware that Tim was mentally unwell. It went up and down, but when he was in Oman it got worse. When they spoke to Tim on the phone, they got worried.
"The family understood that it was bad and that they had to act. The plane landed two hours after Tim had passed away."
Klas Bergling, his father, has previously spoken out about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death and the panicked phone calls he received in the lead up to it.
He told The Sunday Times that he had received a call from someone who had been on holiday with Avicii in Oman, who was concerned about his mental state, so he and the star's mother Anki Liden prepared to fly there.
But sadly, before they could make it onto a plane, they received another call explaining the star had passed away.
"It’s fame and fortune, and that’s a very dangerous combination," Klas said. "When you have an up-and-coming artist there should be some structure."
He said he still doesn't know exactly why Tim decided to end his life, adding: "That’s part of the trauma."
Rest easy, Tim.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.Featured Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Published 10:24 13 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Avicii's close friend revealed heartbreaking new details about DJ before his death in upcoming documentary
Jesse Waits recalled the moment he realised Avicii was dependent on painkillers in a new documentary
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and painkiller addiction which some readers may find distressing
A close friend of Avicii has revealed heartbreaking new details about the late Swedish DJ in an upcoming documentary.
Avicii - real name Tim Bergling - had long been struggling with the pressures of fame and touring throughout his career as well as various mental health issues. He would go on to sadly take his life, aged just 28, in April 2018 in Muscat, Oman.
Bergling's life and career is once again the spotlight after new documentary Avicii: I'm Tim had its first screening at the Tribeca Film Festival on Sunday (9 June).
A source told the publication: "The family was aware that Tim was mentally unwell. It went up and down, but when he was in Oman it got worse. When they spoke to Tim on the phone, they got worried.
"The family understood that it was bad and that they had to act. The plane landed two hours after Tim had passed away."
Klas Bergling, his father, has previously spoken out about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death and the panicked phone calls he received in the lead up to it.
He told The Sunday Times that he had received a call from someone who had been on holiday with Avicii in Oman, who was concerned about his mental state, so he and the star's mother Anki Liden prepared to fly there.
But sadly, before they could make it onto a plane, they received another call explaining the star had passed away.
"It’s fame and fortune, and that’s a very dangerous combination," Klas said. "When you have an up-and-coming artist there should be some structure."
He said he still doesn't know exactly why Tim decided to end his life, adding: "That’s part of the trauma."
Rest easy, Tim.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.Featured Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Published 10:24 13 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Avicii's close friend revealed heartbreaking new details about DJ before his death in upcoming documentary
Jesse Waits recalled the moment he realised Avicii was dependent on painkillers in a new documentary
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and painkiller addiction which some readers may find distressing
A close friend of Avicii has revealed heartbreaking new details about the late Swedish DJ in an upcoming documentary.
Avicii - real name Tim Bergling - had long been struggling with the pressures of fame and touring throughout his career as well as various mental health issues. He would go on to sadly take his life, aged just 28, in April 2018 in Muscat, Oman.
Bergling's life and career is once again the spotlight after new documentary Avicii: I'm Tim had its first screening at the Tribeca Film Festival on Sunday (9 June).
A new documentary will examine Avicii's personal life (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The documentary features exclusive interviews with Bergling's friends and family, as well as never-before-heard clips from interviews with the Swedish hitmaker - who was known for his tracks 'Wake Me Up' and 'Levels'.
One of the people interviewed is Jesse Waits, who became close with Bergling due to his work in the Las Vegas nightlife scene.
Speaking about the impact painkillers had on Bergling, Waits said the habit ended up creating 'more anxiety' for the DJ.
"I realised he was taking painkillers," Waits said.
"I grew up with a family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change. The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie—he was not there."
The documentary features exclusive interviews with Bergling's friends and family, as well as never-before-heard clips from interviews with the Swedish hitmaker - who was known for his tracks 'Wake Me Up' and 'Levels'.
One of the people interviewed is Jesse Waits, who became close with Bergling due to his work in the Las Vegas nightlife scene.
Speaking about the impact painkillers had on Bergling, Waits said the habit ended up creating 'more anxiety' for the DJ.
"I realised he was taking painkillers," Waits said.
"I grew up with a family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change. The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie—he was not there."
Avicii and Jesse Waits. (Instagram/@jessecwaits)
Describing Avicii as 'like a brother' to him, Waits added: "At the dinner, his demeanour changed and his eyes dilated. That changes everything. Those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s**t and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him, it was to suppress his anxiety, but it just created more anxiety."
Avicii: I'm Tim has been written and directed by Henrik Burman and features interviews from the likes of Chris Martin, Nile Rodgers and David Guetta.
Waits wasn't the only person close to Avicii to share his concerns in the documentary, with frequent collaborator Aloe Blacc revealing he wished he'd noticed the 'cry for help' in Bergling's music.
Describing Avicii as 'like a brother' to him, Waits added: "At the dinner, his demeanour changed and his eyes dilated. That changes everything. Those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s**t and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him, it was to suppress his anxiety, but it just created more anxiety."
Avicii: I'm Tim has been written and directed by Henrik Burman and features interviews from the likes of Chris Martin, Nile Rodgers and David Guetta.
Waits wasn't the only person close to Avicii to share his concerns in the documentary, with frequent collaborator Aloe Blacc revealing he wished he'd noticed the 'cry for help' in Bergling's music.
(Richard Ecclestone/Redferns / Rich Polk/Getty Images for Rolling Stone)
Recalling his reaction to reading the lyrics to the song 'SOS' - which he recorded vocals for after Bergling's passing - calling the words a 'cry for help'.
"It felt like… all of us really wanted to have this message way before, so that we could have been there to support him," Blacc told Good Morning America in 2019.
"He had written in his notes that he wanted me to sing this song, but he never communicated that to me. He communicated other things via emails and text messages."
A wider release for the Avicii: I'm Tim is yet to be confirmed.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Recalling his reaction to reading the lyrics to the song 'SOS' - which he recorded vocals for after Bergling's passing - calling the words a 'cry for help'.
"It felt like… all of us really wanted to have this message way before, so that we could have been there to support him," Blacc told Good Morning America in 2019.
"He had written in his notes that he wanted me to sing this song, but he never communicated that to me. He communicated other things via emails and text messages."
A wider release for the Avicii: I'm Tim is yet to be confirmed.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
