Rita Ora opened the main stage at BBC’s Biggest Weekend today (May 27) with a touching tribute to the late DJ Avicii.
The singer took to the stage in Swansea as the words ‘Avicii 1989 – 2018’ appeared behind her, before launching into ‘Lonely Together’, the pair’s 2017 single.
“Thank you,” Ora said to the audience as the track came to a close. “Thank you for singing that with me.
“It’s always hard for me to sing that, so thank you so much for singing along.”
"Thank you for singing that with me. It's always hard for me to sing that, so thank you so much for singing along." ?@RitaOra's tribute to the late @Avicii at #BiggestWeekend pic.twitter.com/95jlAsT39W
— BBC Sounds (@BBCSounds) May 27, 2018
The singer previously paid tribute to the DJ while performing at celebrations for King’s Day in the Netherlands in April.
“I had the honour of collaborating with someone who changed my life and he was a really good friend of mine,” she said before singing ‘Lonely Together’.
“I heard some DJs playing some of his music earlier, and I haven’t sang his song that we did together ever since he passed away, until today.
“It’s going to be very hard for me to sing this next song.”
@RitaOra opening up the main stage today at the Biggest Weekend. This tribute to @Avicii is touching ????? #Swansea #Fun #SingletonPark #RitaOra #Avicii #TheBiggestWeekend #BBC1Music pic.twitter.com/jCMhAHMP02
— Eduardo Sarmiento ?⚗️? (@gsmith_93) May 27, 2018
‘Lonely Together’ was Avicii’s last release before his death in Oman this April.
The death was reported as suicide, although an official cause of death has not been released. In a statement, his family said: “He could not go on any longer.”
The DJ’s family recently released a statement announcing that the funeral would be a private event, open only to those closest to the late musician, adding: “They kindly ask media to respect this. There is no additional information forthcoming.”
Meanwhile, the late Chester Bennington‘s widow Talinda hit out at TMZ for the way they reported Avicii’s death.
The TMZ article went against media guidelines regarding including specific details about how an individual took their own life.
The Linkin Park frontman passed away in July after taking his own life. He was just 41-years-old.