The 2025 ARIA Awards celebrated the best Australian music has to offer the world with Amyl and the Sniffers the biggest winners of the night with four trophies, including Album of the Year.
But it was also a little about the love in the room with all eyes on Adam Hyde and Abbie Chatfield, as well as rumoured couple Dom Dolla and Ella Balinska who arrived separately.
Hyde, who is also known as Keli Holiday, opened the show with his viral hit Dancing2 before collecting a Best Video award for the track with director Ryan Sauer by his side.
Holiday, one half of Aussie outfit Peking Duk, also gave a shout out to his popular podcaster girlfriend Chatfield for inspiring the hit.
“I really want to thank Abbie, my beautiful Abbie, because without her, this song would not exist at all.” he said on stage.
Chatfield in turn gushed over the indie artist during a roving chat with host Concetta Caristo during the ceremony.
“I was almost crying, and all of his team as well was independent and it’s so important to support independent artists,” Chatfield told Caristo.
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“It’s amazing for an independent artist to win an ARIA, particularly a music video that takes so much crew and so many hours and so much effort.
“So it’s not just for Adam, it’s also for the rest of the crew.”
Chatfield, who said she was “so proud” of her man, also cheekily added “we’re gonna have a lot of fun tonight after the show”.
Dom Dolla took home two ARIA awards, including Best Dance/Electronic Release for DREAMIN, as well as the inaugural Global Impact Award.
In perhaps the biggest indication the dating rumours are true, English actress Ella Balinska was one of the first on her feet after the Grammy nominee’s acceptance speech for the Global Impact Award.
The Charlie’s Angels star looked on proudly and cheered on the DJ who was recognised as an ambassador for Australian dance music following his record-breaking tour, streaming numbers and on-oing Las Vegas residency.
Amyl and the Sniffers won Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Cover Art as well as the big award of the night, Album of the Year for Cartoon Darkness.
“As the new prime minister of Australia, I would like to say all immigrants welcome, I’d like to say land back, the dole’s going up and every pub gets $1 million,” vocalist Amy Taylor joked.
“Thank you, what a massive night. What a crazy time. This album’s really changed all of our lives, oh my god. Probably won’t have to work at IGA ever again.”
It was also a big night for Ninajirachi – whose album I Love My Computer has already been crowned Triple J’s album of the year – who took home three awards from eight nominations.
The NSW performer won Best Solo Artist as well as the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist and Best Independent Release awards.
Celebrity presenters during the ceremony included Cody Simpson, Dylan Alcott, as well as Tyra Banks, who moved to Sydney in late 2023 to open an ice-cream store.
“I come from the United States and I am so happy to be living in your beautiful city, Sydney, so thank you for welcoming me,” Banks told the audience after walking on stage.
“I was in a really bad mood because I had some ice cream – long story – that melted, and a lot of it. But I’ve been here around all of you guys and you’re making me feel so good and so welcome. And I met The Wiggles! I am so excited.”
Thelma Plum was left in disbelief after collecting her award for Best Pop Release from the supermodel presenter.
“I can’t believe Tyra Banks just gave me an ARIA, this feels like a fever dream,” she said as she accepted the trophy for I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back.
Plum was among the performers taking to the stage during the ceremony, as was Missy Higgins, who also bagged the Best Adult Contemporary Album for The Second Act.
Last year, Higgins was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, with rockers You Am I inducted this year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese featured among those paying tribute to the inductees in a video message, which also included Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning and Jet’s Nic Cester.
”Oh, the coveted Gold Logie,” You Am I’s David Lane joked when collecting the honour.
Kasey Chambers beat out Keith Urban, who skipped the ceremony, to take out the Best Country Album for Backbone.
The Teskey Brothers picked up their sixth ARIA Award after taking home the Best Blues & Roots Album award for Live At The Hammersmith Apollo.
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ARIA Awards Hall of Fame inductees over the years
Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker took home two awards – one for Best Engineered Release and the other for Best Produced Release – both for the same Tame Impala track End of Summer.
Elsewhere, Thornhill won the gong for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album while Emma Memma (also known as Emma Watkins) took home the award for Best Children’s Album, beating out her former group The Wiggles.
To no-one’s surprise Taylor Swift was awarded Most Popular International Artist.
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