The 2014 ARIA Awards lit up Sydney last Wednesday, galvanising music industry professionals, recording artists and dedicated fans in a celebration of Australian music. Sky-high heels, suits and some questionable fashion statements graced the red carpet (yes Matt Okine, I’m talking about you and your nude bodysuit), with Justice Crew performing a medley of songs before the doors to The Star Events Centre were opened.
Special commendations must be given to the extreme but undoubtedly dedicated fans of home-grown success story 5 Seconds of Summer, international megastars One Direction and honorary Australian citizen Katy Perry, who began camping out the night before to secure the best view of their idols. Other artists in attendance included Delta Goodrem, Dami Im, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Chet Faker, Samantha Jade and Shepherd.
Despite the frequent cheesy one-liners from host Osher Ginsberg (who sported a highly-criticised moustache in the name of Movember), the ARIAs aptly highlighted its raison d’être – Australian music artists.
Jessica Mauboy owned the stage with a rendition of her latest single “Can I Get A Moment?,” while Chet Faker’s stripped back version of his hauntingly beautiful song “Talk Is Cheap” showcased the raw talent that enriches the Australian music scene. Naturally the performances from 5SOS and One Direction, belting out their hits “She Looks So Perfect” and “Steal My Girl” respectively, earned the most acclaim with the rafter packed with their eager, excitable fans. Both had arrived at the ARIAs off the back of performances at the American Music Awards, adding some star power to the night along with international artists Katy Perry and Charli XCX who presented awards.
Sia sealed the deal on her ARIAs whitewash by securing Album of the Year, adding to her three other wins of the night for Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release and Best Video. Chet Faker (who we are very glad didn’t listen to the advice from his teacher to not pursue music as a career) came in second with two ARIAs, being named Best Male Artist and scoring Best Independent Release for “Built on Glass.” In the wake of her noticeable absence, Sia later revealed she had recorded four acceptance videos and resented the backlash she received, subsequently offering her five trophies to those who could recite a good deed on Twitter.
Molly Meldrum’s speech proved to be a touching highlight of the night, bringing everyone to their feet before it even began. His humour and humility shone through as he graciously gave thanks for the induction of himself and Countdown to the ARIA Hall of Fame, bolstered on either side by fellow Hall of Famers and Australian music royalty Marcia Hynes and John Paul Young.
Despite the embarrassing faux pas that was highlighted by musician John Butler as he acknowledged the traditional land owners in the absence of the Australian Recording Industry Association and occasional long-winded acceptance speech, the ARIAs delivered on its brief – celebrate Australian music with a touch of international flair to spice up proceedings. Let’s hope the ARIAs can continue next year on its upward trajectory.
For a full breakdown of the nominees and winners of the night, see the list below (courtesy of Pedestrian TV).
2014 ARIA Award Winners and Nominees
One Direction, voted Best International artist – Midnight Memories by the public
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Dan Sultan – Blackbird
Jessica Mauboy – Beautiful
Sheppard – Bombs Away
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
WINNER: Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
Adalita – All Day Venus
Iggy Azalea – The New Classic
Jessica Mauboy – Beautiful
Kasey Chambers – Bittersweet
BEST MALE ARTIST
WINNER: Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Dan Sultan – Blackbird
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: His Life and Music
Guy Sebastian – Come Home With Me
Vance Joy – Mess is Mine
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST RELEASE
WINNER: Iggy Azalea – The New Classic
5 Seconds of Summer – 5 Seconds of Summer
Andy Bull – Sea of Approval
Chet Faker – Built on Glass
The Kite String Tangle – Vessel EP
BEST GROUP
WINNER: Sheppard – Bombs Away
5 Seconds of Summer – 5 Seconds of Summer
Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars
RÜFÜS – Sundream
Violent Soho – Saramona Said
BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE
WINNER: Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Dan Sultan – Blackbird
Sheppard – Bombs Away
Vance Joy – Mess is Mine
Violent Soho – Saramona Said
BEST ROCK ALBUM
WINNER: Dan Sultan – Blackbird
Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone
Ball Park Music – Puddinghead
Jimmy Barnes – 30:30 Hindsight
Kingswood – Microscopic Wars
BEST BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM
WINNER: John Butler Trio – Flesh & Blood
Harry Hookey – Misdiagnosed
Russell Morris – Van Diemen’s Land
The Audreys – ‘Till My Tears Roll Away
The Bamboos – Fever in the Road
BEST DANCE RELEASE
WINNER: Peking Duck featuring Nicole Millar – High
Flume & Chet Faker – Drop the Game
Nicky Night Time – Everybody Together
RÜFÜS – Sundream
BEST POP RELEASE
WINNER: Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
5 Seconds of Summer – 5 Seconds of Summer
Andy Bull – Sea of Approval
Justice Crew – Que Sera
Sheppard – Bombs Away
BEST URBAN ALBUM
WINNER: Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars
360 – Utopia
Iggy Azalea – The New Classic
Illy – Cinematic
Thundamentals – So We Can Remember
BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUM
WINNER: DZ Deathrays – Black Rat
High Tension – Death Beat
Shihad – FVEY
Sleepmakeswaves – Love of Cartography
The Amity Affliction – Let the Ocean Take Me
BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM
WINNER: The Wiggles – Apples & Bananas
Alex Papps – Let’s Put The Beat In Our Feat
Ali McGregor – Ali McGregor’s Jazzamatazz!
Jay Laga’aia – Christmas at Jay’s Place
Sam Moran – Play Along With Sam: We’re Gonna Dance!
BEST COMEDY RELEASE
WINNER: Buddy Goode – It’s a Buddy Goode Christmas
Franky Walnut – The Franky Walnut Reflective Drink Coaster
Ja’mie – Learning To Be Me
Ronny Chieng – The Ron Way
The Beards – The Beard Album
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
WINNER: Kasey Chambers – Bittersweet
Adam Brand – My Side of the Street
Emma Swift – Emma Swift
Keith Urban – Fuse
The McClymonts – Here’s To You & I
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
WINNER: Neil Finn & Paul Kelly – Goin’ Your Way
Gossling – Harvest of Gold
Kate Miller-Heidke – O Vertigo!
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Live from KCRW
Tina Arena – Reset
Publicly Voted Awards
BEST AUSTRALIAN LIVE ACT
WINNER: Keith Urban
Boy & Bear
Dan Sultan
John Butler Trio
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
RÜFÜS
Tame Impala
The Preatures
The Presets
Violent Soho
BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST
WINNER: One Direction – Midnight Memories
Avicii – True
Beyoncé – Beyoncé
Coldplay – Ghost Stories
Ed Sheeran – X
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2
Jason Derulo – Tattoos
Katy Perry – Prism
Lorde – Pure Heroine
Pharrell Williams – G I R L
BEST VIDEO
WINNER: Sia Furler & Daniel Askill for Sia – “Chandelier”
Ben Young for John Butler Trio – “Only One”
Charlie Ford for Courtney Barnett – “Avant Gardener”
Dan Graetz for Violent Soho – “Covered in Chrome”
Lawrence Lim for Jessica Mauboy – “Never Be The Same”
Lawrence Lim for Justice Crew – “Que Sera”
Renny Wijeyamohan for Busby Marou – “My Second Mistake”
Christian J Henrich & Nicholas Rabone for Bluejuice – “SOS”
Toby & Pete for Chet Faker – “Talk is Cheap”
Toby Morris for Sheppard – “Geronimo”
SONG OF THE YEAR
WINNER: 5 Seconds of Summer – “She Looks So Perfect”
Guy Sebastian – “Like a Drum”
Havana Brown – “Warrior”
Iggy Azalea feat. Charlie XCX – “Fancy”
Joel Fletcher feat. Savage – “Swing”
Justice Crew – “Que Sera”
Nathaniel – “You”
Sheppard – “Geronimo”
Sia – “Chandelier”
Taylor Henderson – “Borrow My Heart”
ARIA 2014 Fine Arts & Artisan Awards
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Eric J Dubowsky for Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Dustin Tebbutt for Dustin Tebbutt – Bones EP
Matthew Lambert & Barry Francis for Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars
Nicholas Wilson & Dann Hume for Sticky Fingers – Land of Pleasure
Paul McKercher for Andy Bull – Sea of Approval
Virginia Reed for Simon Tedeschi, James Morrison, Sarah McKenzie – Gershwin: Take Two
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Nicholas Murphy for Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Alex JL Hiew & SLUMS for Troye Sivan – TRXYE
Dann Hume for Sticky Fingers – Land of Pleasure
John Castle & Josh Pyke for Josh Pyke – The Beginning and the End of Everything
Stuart Stuart for Sheppard – Bombs Away
BEST COVER ART
WINNER: Tin & Ed for Chet Faker – Built on Glass
Angus & Julia Stone for Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone
Celeste Potter for DZ Deathrays – Black Rat
Sia Furler for Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
The Leonard Brothers for 360 – Utopia
BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
WINNER: Lior/Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Nigel Westlake – Compassion
Australian World Orchestra/Zubin Mehta – Stravinsky Rite of Spring/Mahler Symphony No.1
Emma Matthews/Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Marko Letonja – Mozart Arias
Jon Chindamo & Zoe Black – Dido’s Lament
Latitude 37 – Empires
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Macleod/Benjamin Northey/Markus Stenz – Adès Polaris/Stanhope Piccolo Concerto
Topology – Share House
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
WINNER: Paul Grabowsky Sextet – The Bitter Suite
Andrea Keller Quartet with Strings – Wave Rider
Emma Pask – Season of My Heart
Graeme Lyall, John Hoffman, Tony Gould, Ben Robertson, Tony Floyd – The Hunters & Pointers
Vince Jones – The Monash Sessions
BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK/CAST/SHOW ALBUM
WINNER: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu/Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Gurrumul: His Life and Music
Glenn Shorrock & Brian Cadd – The Story of Sharky and the Caddman
Katie Noonan – Fierce Hearts
Various Artists – Spirit of Akasha
Various Artists – Triple J’s One Night Stand: Mildura
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
WINNER: Joseph Tawadros – Permission to Evaporate
Astronomy Class – Mekong Delta Sunrise
Jane Rutter – Flute Spirit: Dreams & Improvisations
The Barons of Tang – Into the Mouths of Hungry Giants
William Barton – Birdsong at Dusk
