The ARIA Awards not only recognise artistic excellence, but they've also produced performances that audiences will remember for years. These performances reflect the evolution of Australian music, but they can shape it. Here, we'll explore the standout performances, speeches, and collaborations from the ARIAs.
Groundbreaking Performances That Defined the ARIAs
The ARIA Awards have hosted performances that will be remembered long after the ceremony itself. Some moments have honoured artists' legacies, highlighted cultural identity, and introduced new eras of Australian music. We can't go through them all, but here are just a handful of the standout performances.
Missy Higgins’ Hall of Fame Induction Performance (2024)
Missy Higgins was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the 2024 ARIA Awards. She performed a medley of her signature songs with fellow Australian artists G Flip, Amy Shark, Gretta Ray, and Angie McMahon. The moment reflected her influence on Australian songwriting and her role in shaping intimate, lyrically driven storytelling in contemporary music. It was also a wonderful moment of multiple generations of Australian artists sharing the stage for a performance. Viewers would see how Higgins' work has inspired musicians in Australia's modern pop, indie, and alternative music scenes.
This performance was widely highlighted in national music coverage; a symbolic passing of creative influence between artists. It also reinforced Higgins' place not only in Australian music history but in the ongoing evolution of songwriting in the country.
The Kid LAROI’s Homecoming Performance (2024)
The Kid LAROI was part of the 2024 ARIA Awards broadcast. It was noted that parts of the performance were pre-recorded, as seen in how the segment appeared visually in the broadcast. However, it was still a key moment where an Australian artist with an international audience returned to the country's major music awards presentation.
Yothu Yindi’s “Treaty” with All-Star Ensemble (2012)
Yothu Yindi's performance of "Treaty" at their ARIA Hall of Fame induction in 2012 included an ensemble featuring Paul Kelly, Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, and Peter Garrett. It celebrated the band's legacy in Australian music while also highlighting the song's cultural and political significance. It was a defining ARIA Awards performance as it helped bring Indigenous language and messaging to the foreground.
Other ARIA-Defining Performances
- Deborah Conway with Vika & Linda Bull – “Release Me” (1992): This performance brought together three distinct vocalists in a stripped-back arrangement that highlighted harmony and emotional phrasing. It has since been referenced in ARIA retrospectives as a standout example of acoustic performance during the era.
- Powderfinger – “Pick You Up” (1996): Powderfinger performed "Pick You Up" in the mid-1990s, shortly before the band became widely known across Australia. The performance is remembered as a moment that marked their emergence as a significant presence in Australian rock.
- Tina Arena with Jessica Mauboy & The Veronicas – “Chains” (2015): This performance occurred during Tina Arena's Hall of Fame induction. Joined by Jessica Mauboy and The Veronicas, the collaboration highlighted Arena's multi-decade influence. It showcased the continuity of Australian pop vocal performance across generations.
With these, you can see how the ARIAs do more than present awards. You can see Australian music growing, changing, and redefining itself, which is reflected in who gets nominated and who wins. Some of these moments are cultural touchstones, whether they're honouring influential artists or introducing new ones; they define how Australian music is remembered.
Memorable Acceptance Speeches and Milestones
In any awards show, acceptance speeches are often a key part of the show and among the most memorable moments. Many speeches fade into obscurity as standard fare of thanks and appreciation, but some carry messages that resonate with the personal experiences of artists, the realities of working in the industry, and the cultural shifts shaping Australian music.
Angie McMahon’s Message on Age Representation (2024)
At the 2024 ARIA Awards, Angie McMahon won Best Independent Release for her album Light, Dark, Light Again. In her acceptance speech, she candidly spoke about the pressure artists feel about age in the music industry, noting that turning 30 and rejecting the idea that creativity has an expiration date. Many media outlets and fans found the message relatable and affirming.
McMahon’s speech helped spark discussion about how musicians, especially women and independent artists, are often expected to peak early. Her message reinforced that artistry continues to grow with experience.
Emily Wurramara’s Cultural and Language Recognition (2024)
Emily Wurramara won Best Adult Contemporary Album in 2024 for NARA. The project incorporates storytelling and cultural heritage, including the use of the Anindilyakwa language. She was the first Indigenous woman to receive the award in this category.
Wurramara’s win marked increased recognition of First Nations artists and languages within the ARIA Awards. The moment reflected a broader shift toward valuing diverse musical traditions and storytelling.
Other Memorable Acceptance Speeches
- Gurrumul’s Posthumous Recognition (2018): The 2018 ARIAs included a tribute and an award for Gurrumul's album, released shortly before his passing. Commentary around this moment highlighted the cultural and musical impact of his work and its influence on audiences in Australia and internationally.
- Courtney Barnett’s Breakthrough Speech (2015): After winning multiple awards during her breakthrough year, Courtney Barnett used her speech to acknowledge the role of independent music communities. The moment was widely noted as a reflection of the growth of Australian indie music during the 2010s.
- 5 Seconds of Summer Global Recognition Moment (2014): When 5 Seconds of Summer received international acknowledgement at the ARIAs, the group referenced their development through local music scenes before finding global audiences. The speech emphasised the growing role of online communities in supporting Australian artists' international careers.
The ARIAs can be a platform for reflection, advocacy, and storytelling. They offer a nice insight into the pressures, hopes, and realities that musicians in Australia face. The most memorable speeches are those that reflect the bigger conversations we have about music.
Unexpected Collaborations and Surprise Moments
When you watch the ARIAs this year, you'll see the best moments of the ARIAs are when you artists come together in new and interesting ways. Often, we'll see collaborations that blend genres, eras, and identities, with one-of-a-kind performances. The ARIA stage isn't just an awards platform; it's also a creative melting pot where Australia's finest musicians sometimes congregate to create something new and special.
Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller-Heidke & Sarah Blasko Medley (2009)
At the 2009 ARIA Awards, Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Sarah Blasko performed a medley highlighting female singer-songwriters in Australian music. The artists each brought their distinct vocal styles and stage presence to the performance, which featured subtle harmonies and storytelling. The performance is often used in retrospectives and media round-ups for the ceremony's highlights.
Silverchair’s Tribute to Midnight Oil (2006)
The 2006 ARIA Awards featured Silverchair performing a tribute to Midnight Oil. The performance was a fine example of Australian rock bands being shaped by the earlier generations of musicians who came before them. The tribute was an excellent way to connect the past and present and showcase how Australian rock music continues to evolve both stylistically and thematically.
Other Moments at the ARIAs
- Jessica Mauboy & 3% – Performance (2024): This collaboration featured Jessica Mauboy and 3%, blending R&B/pop vocal performance with group harmonies and rhythmic staging. The performance was noted for bringing together artists from different stylistic backgrounds.
- Tones and I – “Dance Monkey” (2019): Tones and I performed her breakout single “Dance Monkey” during the 2019 ARIA Awards. The performance highlighted her distinctive vocal style and stage presence, and it coincided with the song’s significant international chart success. The performance has since become one of the most-watched ARIA clips online.
- Lorde – “Team” (2013): Lorde performed "Team" at the 2013 ARIA Awards during the early period of her global career. The performance featured minimal staging, emphasising vocal delivery and lyrical focus. It has remained one of the most-viewed ARIA performances online, reflecting long-term audience interest.
Surprise moments make the ARIAs worth watching. After, music is dynamic, diverse, and unexpected. The ceremony isn't just an awards show going through the motions; it's a creative process that brings artists to the stage for performances that can be enjoyed by those in the room and by those watching from home.
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