In what has been a tough year for the music industry, last night’s 2020 ARIA Awards marked a mighty, although socially distanced celebration at Sydney’s The Star Event Centre.
Tame Impala surfaced as a big winner, taking home five ARIA awards, including Album of the Year for the third time, as well as Best Group, Best Rock Album, Engineer of the Year, and Producer of the Year.
African-Australian rapper Sampa The Great triumphed winning Best Female Artist, Best Hip Hop Release and Best Independent Release for her debut album, The Return.
With Covid-19 restrictions in-place, host Delta Goodrem presented a slightly different ARIA night then we’re used to, with The Star empty of the usual A-lister crowd, and most artists accepting awards via video at home.
Performances were also live-streamed or pre-recorded, with Sampa The Great performing from her childhood town, Botswana. The rapper stunned with a performance of her song “Final Form”, which she began by calling out the music industry: “Is it free, this industry, for people like me? Diversity, equity – in your ARIA boards?” she rapped, at the song’s introduction.
Indigenous Australian singer Archie Roach was the 2020 inductee into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and captivated with a heartfelt performance of “Took the Children Away”, recorded at a small theatre in his hometown, Warrnambool.
Four decades in the industry, this year marked 30 years since the release of Roach’s first album, Charcoal Lane and was supposed to be his final tour.
On the night, Roach took home Best Male Artist and Best Adult Contemporary Release for his album, Tell Me Why.
Other big wins included Amy Shark for best Pop Release for “Everybody Rise” and Best Australian Live Act, and Indigenous songstress and newcomer Miiesha taking out Best Soul/R&B Release for her debut album Nyaaringu.
Here is the full list of winners for 2020:
2020 ARIA AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Album Of The Year:
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Best Male Artist
Archie Roach – Tell Me Why
Best Female Artist
Sampa The Great – The Return
Best Dance Release
Dom Dolla – “San Frandisco”
Best Group
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Breakthrough Artist
Lime Cordiale – 14 Steps To A Better You
Best Pop Release
Amy Shark – “Everybody Rise”
Best Hip Hop Release
Sampa The Great – The Return
Best Soul/R&B Release
Miiesha – Nyaaringu
Best Independent Release
Sampa The Great – The Return
Best Rock Album
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Archie Roach – Tell Me Why
Best Country Album
Fanny Lumsden – Fallow
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Chunky Shrapnel
Best Blues & Roots Album
The Teskey Brothers – Live At The Forum
Best Children’s Album
Teeny Tiny Stevies – Thoughtful Songs for Little People
Best Comedy Release
Anne Edmonds – “What’s Wrong With You?”
Public Voted Awards
Best Video
Guy Sebastian – “Standing With You”
Best Australian Live Act
Amy Shark- Amy Shark Regional Tour
Song of the Year
5 Seconds Of Summer – “Teeth”
Best International Artist
Harry Styles – Fine Line
Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award
Sarah Donnelley – Wilcannia Central School, Wilcannia NSW
Artisan Awards
Best Cover Art
Adam Dal Pozzo, Megan Washington and Michelle Pitiris for WASHINGTON – Batflowers
Engineer Of The Year
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Producer Of The Year
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Fine Arts Awards
Best Classical Album
Richard Tognetti & Erin Helyard – Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas
Best Jazz Album
Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky – Please Leave Your Light On
Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album
Chelsea Cullen – I Am Woman
Best World Music Album
Joseph Tawadros – Live at the Sydney Opera House
