Amyl and the Sniffers reigned triumphant with four wins at the 2025 ARIA Awards in partnership with Spotify at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney last night (19 November).
With four victories from its six nominations, the band won Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album presented by Tooheys, and Best Cover Art for John Stewart and Thomas Rennie – all for their latest release, Cartoon Darkness.
Meanwhile, the most nominated artist of 2025, Ninajirachi, won her first ARIA Award (and another two on the night), winning Best Solo Artist, Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist presented by Spotify, and Best Independent Release presented by PPCA for her acclaimed debut album I Love My Computer.
Dom Dolla made history as the inaugural recipient of the ARIA Global Impact Award presented by Spotify. Recognised for his outstanding international success and cultural influence, Dolla, said an Awards spokesperson, has ‘significantly elevated Australian music on the world stage through his artistry, innovation and global reach over the past year’. Alongside this landmark achievement, Dom Dolla secured the ARIA for Best Dance/Electronic Release.
Other winners on the night included Troye Sivan for Best Australian Live Act presented by Destination NSW; Taylor Swift for Most Popular International Artist; Tame Impala, who took home two ARIA Awards for Engineer – Best Engineered Release (Kevin Parker), and Producer – Best Produced Release (Kevin Parker); BOY SODA for Best Soul/R&B release; Thornhill for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album; The Teskey Brothers for Best Blues & Roots Album; Emma Memma for Best Children’s Album; BARKAA for Best Hip Hop/Rap Release; Kasey Chambers for Best Country Album; Lucy Clifford for Best Jazz Album; and Gurrumul for Best World Music Album.
Laneway Festival was honoured with the inaugural Best Music Festival Award presented by Tixel and developed in close partnership with the Australian Festivals Association. The award was introduced this year to recognise and celebrate the critical role Australian music festivals play in showcasing and advancing local talent, offering breakthrough moments and essential exposure, and transforming the careers of Australian artists by connecting them with wider audiences.
ARIA Awards: performances on the night
Keli Holiday set the tone for the 2025 ARIA Awards with a performance of his hit Dancing2. With more than 6 million Spotify streams this year, the track also won an ARIA Award for Best Video (Ryan Sauer), and cements Keli as one of the country’s most party-ready exports.
International superstar Olivia Dean joined the ARIA Awards stage to perform her breakout mega-hit, Man I Need. With more than 4.5 billion global streams and 236 million career streams in Australia alone, Olivia has quickly become one of the most celebrated voices of her generation. Alongside her performance, Olivia presented Best Solo Artist to Ninajirachi and Album of the Year to Amyl and The Sniffers.
Other performances included the first ever ‘super collaboration’ from the full field of nominees for Best Soul/R&B Release, including BOY SODA (Lil’ Obsession), JACOTENE (Why’d You Do That / Stop Calling), Jerome Farah (Good Girl), Larissa Lambert (Cardio) and PANIA (Pity Party).
Kita Alexander performed Press Pause and Missy Higgins – who also took the ARIA for Best Adult Contemporary Album – performed Complicated Truth.
Thelma Plum performed Nobody’s Baby before winning Best Pop Release for her album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back. Young Franco was joined on stage by friends including Baker Boy, Kobie Dee, Anna Ryan and Touch Sensitive.
Closing out the show, Daniel Johns inducted You Am I to the 2025 ARIA Hall of Fame, and the band performed its hits Heavy Heart and Berlin Chair.
Joining hosts Tim Blackwell and Concetta Caristo throughout the evening were presenters Anna Lunoe, Budjerah, Cody Simpson, Dom Dolla, Dylan Alcott, G Flip, John Pearce, Josh Pyke, Kacey Musgraves, Kate Ceberano, Kaylee Bell, King Stingray, Kobie Dee, MALLRAT, Meg Washington, Melanie Bracewell, Mia Wray, Sosefina Fuamoli, Tim Nelson and Sam Netterfield from 2Charm, Tait McGregor, Tkay Maidza, Tyra Banks and Vidya Makan.
