In an emotional and unexpected revelation during Tomorrowland 2025, Dutch DJ and producer Hardwell shared that he was originally supposed to collaborate with the late Avicii on the iconic progressive house anthem “Bromance.”
Some of electronic dance music’s most legendary “what if” stories only come to light years later, offering fans a deeper glimpse into the genre’s hidden history. This year, Hardwell added another one to the list—one that involves one of Avicii’s earliest career-defining tracks.
While speaking with Adam K during an exclusive interview on Tomorrowland One World Radio, Hardwell opened up about unreleased collaborations and the songs he would love to remix if given the opportunity. That’s when he dropped a bombshell that no one expected.
“I’m going to say an answer you would never expect,” Hardwell teased. “In the first place, people don’t know ‘Bromance’ was a collab between Tim and myself.”
By “Tim,” he was referring to Tim Bergling, better known to the world as Avicii—the legendary Swedish DJ and producer who revolutionized dance music in the early 2010s. According to Hardwell, the two had actually planned to work on Bromance together, but the collaboration never came to fruition.
“Bromance”: A Milestone in EDM History
Bromance was first released in 2010 under Avicii’s alias Tim Berg. With its euphoric synths, bright melodies, and emotional depth, the track quickly became a turning point for the rising producer. A vocal version titled Seek Bromance followed soon after and solidified Avicii’s position as a trailblazer in the emerging progressive house movement.
The song was more than just a hit—it was a signal that dance music was evolving into something more emotional and melodic, paving the way for the sound that would later define the EDM boom of the early 2010s.
Hardwell, meanwhile, was also carving his path at the time. Though immersed in other projects during that period, he would go on to achieve his own breakout success just two years later with the release of his 2012 anthem Spaceman. Looking back, fans can only imagine how an actual Hardwell and Avicii collaboration on Bromance might have shaped the future of dance music even further.
A Tribute to Avicii at Tomorrowland 2025
Hardwell’s interview came during an especially meaningful edition of Tomorrowland. In honor of 10 years since Avicii’s final Mainstage performance, the festival unveiled a stunning 144-square-meter audiovisual memorial installation on its Belgium festival grounds.
The tribute was a powerful reminder of the impact Avicii had not only on the industry but also on millions of fans around the world. His tragic passing in 2018 at the age of 28 left a void in the music world, but his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of artists, including the very peers he once hoped to collaborate with.
What Could Have Been
Hardwell’s story adds yet another poignant layer to Avicii’s musical legacy. While Bromance will forever be remembered as a pivotal track in EDM history, fans now know that it might have sounded even more powerful had it become the full collaboration both producers once envisioned.
Their shared ambition, talent, and influence defined an era—and this story is a bittersweet reminder of the creative possibilities that sometimes never get to happen.