Aussie music’s night of nights has kicked off with a bang, with local and international stars alike rocking the red carpet ahead of the show.
WATCH: Speaking of ARIAs winners…
While we were completely captivated by all the amazing looks the stars brought out for the big event, the night was really all about… well, winning.
No, wait – we mean music! It’s all about music… but also winning. Soooo let’s see who won!
Best Australian Live Act
Hip hop trio Hilltop Hoods took out the first gong of the night, kicking the trophy-giving off with a bang!
“I’m going to get out a few thank-yous because I think this is the last time you’ll see us,” joked MC Suffa, who delivered the requisite appreciation before sparking controversy by finishing out his speech with the now-viral quote: “[Jeffrey] Epstein didn’t kill himself.”
Best Male Artist
Congrats to Dean Lewis!
“Thanks to all of my fans, to my amazing record label, the entire records family, to everyone in the media and radio stations who have supported my music, thank you very much,” he beamed.
“To my mum and brothers, thank you for always being so supportive, and Dad, thank you for always playing good music and for putting a guitar in my hands when I didn’t know I needed it.”
Best Female Artist
The nominees in this category were all fierce females, but only one could take out the top spot… and it went to this year’s hottest breakthrough act, Tones and I.
Up for a whopping eight awards, the singer dropped some epic realness – that we all needed to hear – as she accepted her gong.
“Sometimes I don’t think that I’m the most relatable female artist. I’m not into make-up or dresses or typically girly things. But to me, those things don’t really define what it is to be a female artist in this industry any more,” she said, receiving cheers from the audience.
“Thank you. It’s being brave and courageous and true to yourself. No-one could have ever prepared me for the whole world judging me and comparing you to other artists. But what’s most important is that you have to be a good person and care about others and carry yourself well.”
Well said, girl!
Best Pop Release
Take two! Tones and I snapped up a second award straightaway, taking out the prize for best pop release for her hit track Dance Monkey.
“I only wrote one speech!” she laughed.
Best Country Album
Singer/songwriter Morgan Evans from Newcastle in NSW nabbed his first ARIA tonight, and couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Thank you for playing my records or playlisting my records or letting it into your life,” he gushed. “It really means a lot. I’m proud to represent country music in Australia with this one tonight. Thank you.”
Best Group
Schoolmates from Melbourne The Teskey Brothers took out the title tonight at their first ARIAs – and the boys admitted they were unprepared for the win.
“When I was younger watching the ARIAS, I always wondered whether the people that won knew before they won,” quipped bass guitarist Brendan Love. “And I can 100 percent confirm that they don’t.”
Best Video
The night’s host and all-round nice dude Guy Sebastian took out the top prize for the video for his track Choir – and proud wifey Jules grinned ear to ear and she filmed her bae on her iPhone from the audience.
“Jules, you are my best mate and my everything,” he shared in his speech as the ‘wrap-it-up-now-buddy’ music began to play.
“I’ve never received so much love and support from people that have lost people and who are going through mental health battles,” he said, referencing the tragic story behind the song – the passing of his friend and band mate Luke Liang in 2018.
Best Rock Album
Four-piece punk rock band Amyl and the Sniffers took home their first-ever ARIA for best rock album, and shared an expletive-filled but obviously excited thank you speech.
Best Blues & Roots Album
The Teskey Brothers nailed it again with their gong for Run Home Slow, and we’re predicting huge things for the foursome after Chris Hemsworth himself raved about them.
Best Independent Record
Another one for Tones & I, taking her tally up to three for the night. Until…
Breakthrough Artist
Should we just put Tones & I down under a “won everything” category?! The super-humble and incredibly talented star took out the prize for best breakthrough artist – the only one she says she believed she had a chance of winning going into the night!
Best Hip Hop Release
Sampa the Great took home the nod for Best Hip Hop release, and shared her hopes for a more inclusive music industry in the future.
“ARIAs, thank you so much for this award,” she said.
“It’s really bitter sweet that in 2019 I’m the first woman of colour to win in a hip-hop category. I really hope I’m not the last and I hope the Australian music industry starts to reflect how our community looks like. Thank you so much.”
Best Soul & R&B Release
“I’d like to thank my family, my friends, my ancestors, the whole crew who brought this together,” shared songstress Kaiit following her big win.
“You know who you are.”
Album of the Year
As the night wrapped up, Dean Lewis took out his second gong, winning Album of the Year for A Place We Knew. “It’s a very special moment for me,” he shared on stage.
“No matter what you are going through, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and for me, this is it. Thank you very much.”
Song of the Year
Guy Sebastian – what a sweetheart – actually apologised to Tones & I when he jumped up to accept the award for his song Choir.
“I’m so sorry, Tones & I. And everyone else in this category,” he began his acceptance speech. “Look, I don’t even know where to begin with this song. I mean, I cry probably 80 percent of the times that I sing this song, because for me, it… there is a special message that affects us personally, a lot. It affects a lot of people in this room.”
“Just be a good person,” he finished his speech. “Just treat people well. We’re all the same and we’re in it together. So thank you. This means the world. I love you.”
Congrats, guys!
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