Updated
Australia loves Paul Kelly again, Gang of Youths rocked out, Harry Styles got mildly political and Sia was so well camouflaged she could not be seen at the ARIA Awards.
At the awards ceremony on Tuesday night at Sydney's Star Casino, Gang of Youths cemented their status as one of Australia's leading rock bands by winning Album of the Year.
The Sydney band went into the ARIAs with the most nominations, and ended up winning Best Group and Best Rock Album for their creation Go Farther In Lightness.
On stage, lead singer David Le'aupepe stressed the importance of a multicultural Australia, pointing out that each member of the band was an immigrant.
"This country was built on a strong Indigenous people and on the backs of immigrants," the pacific islander frontman said.
"To be heralded in the cultural and entertainment landscape in Australia is quite something.
"The presumption of Pacific islanders is they play footy, do security or play R'n'B and that's just not the case."
The charismatic songwriter has dealt with intense mental health issues, attempting to end his own life in 2014, but his music is his victory march.
"A mate of mine gave me a ring and told me not to [end my life]," he said.
"I channelled all the horrible energy I had and put it into something meaningful and positive.
"A lot of people gawk at that but it gave me hope like I never had before."
The group's wins took their ARIA tally to four — the band won the Producer of the Year Award for the album with Adrian Breakspear in a ceremony earlier this year.
Music legend Kelly, who brought down the house with his classic hit Dumb Things, also won four awards including Best Male Artist and Best Adult Contemporary album for Life Is Fine.
Australia's favourite camouflaging artist Sia was crowned best female artist for her single The Greatest (featuring Kendrick Lamar), a strong win when all other nominees in the category were chosen for albums.
Her camouflage was so good, she was nowhere to be seen at The Star.
Political punches thrown
Whilst the night belonged to Gang of Youths and Kelly, some of music's biggest talents also used this year's ARIAs to make their voices heard on political issues.
Styles, who took out Best International Artist, took the opportunity to praise Australia on its recent Yes vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey.
"Congratulations on your latest political decision," the former One Direction member said.
Later during his performance of his latest single Kiwi, Styles experienced technical difficulties and started the song again, with host Richard Wilkins telling him "nothing's your fault man".
A.B. Original won best Urban and Best Independent Release for their controversial album Reclaim Australia which broaches issues including racism, Indigenous disadvantage and police brutality.
"We made this album in our community, for our community, from our community," said Briggs, one half of the duo with rapper Trials.
"Change doesn't come from being comfortable," he said.
"We made ourselves extremely uncomfortable making this album, trying to upset all those rednecks.
"Here's a new joint for our mums to put on the shelf," the rapper said when he was handed the award.
The musicians kept punching out the political messages.
All Our Exes Live in Texas snatched the award for Best Blues and Roots album for When We Fall, and lead singer Hannah Crofts took the opportunity to make a statement on the situation on Manus Island.
Crofts painted her nails with a slogan in support of 600 men who were still on the Papua New Guinea island.
"It's about bringing them home," she said.
Amy Shark, 31, whose hit Adore brought her massive chart and radio success, took out awards for Best Pop Release and Breakthrough Artist.
"My heart can't handle this," she said.
The Gold Coast indie star said getting to her "fairytale" 2017 was no walk in the park though.
"For so long there were many people who didn't respond ... my now husband was writing to people, sending my demo.
"I was very close to giving it all away."
New Zealand songstress Lorde, who has been touring Australia to rave reviews, performed a mash up of her hits Liability and Green Light, with her trademark wild dancing captivating the audience.
Chambers inspired by Kelly
Kasey Chambers took out Best Country Album for Dragonfly and also the (unofficial) award for most excited recipient.
"Sorry I'm just freaking out," the country princess said.
The album was produced by Paul Kelly, who Chambers called "one of the biggest inspirations of my life".
Chambers also decided to touch on gender equality in the industry, in the same vein as Tina Arena's 2015 statement.
"A lot of negative stuff has been said about being a woman over 40 in the industry … but I f***ing love it!"
Braithwaite's roadwork between gigs
Rock icon Darryl Braithwaite, who has had a major resurgence among millennials with his 90s hit The Horses, has been be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
He took the opportunity to reflect on his four-decades-long music career, which started with Sherbet and transformed into a solo career with 12 platinum records.
After Sherbet's break-up Braithwaite went on the dole for a while.
"I then worked on the roads for 10 weeks … it was then I realised I needed to keep making music," he said.
"If you're a young person who has that passion, please listen to the voice inside your head because it's really worth it."
The night built to a climax with Styles performing his latest single Kiwi to the crowd.
Also worth a mention — Jimmy Barnes wore a kilt while accepting his award for Best Children's Album for Och Aye The G'Nu, which is about a Scottish wildebeest.
Bringing his grandson Dylan and Blue Wiggle Anthony Field with him to the stage, he said he enlisted the help of the very best in kids music — The Wiggles — for this album.
"If you're going to make a kids album why not go to the top?"
Topics: music-awards, music-industry, dance-music, early-music, indigenous-music, sydney-2000, australia
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