Gang of Youths and Paul Kelly sweep the 2017 ARIA Awards

Last night belonged to Gang of Youths and Paul Kelly, with the band from Sydney’s inner west and one of Australia’s most beloved songwriters taking home four ARIA Awards apiece at the 2017 ceremony held at The Star Event Centre.

Along with them, the ARIAs proved to be huge for A.B. Original, who won ARIAs in the Best Urban and Best Independent Release categories, with Reclaim Australia being recognised on arguably the biggest stage in the Australian music industry. “Change doesn’t come from being comfortable,” Briggs said during their acceptance speech. It’s a simple enough sentiment but it rang out loud.

For Gang of Youths, their four wins saw David Le’aupepe thank a multitude of people who helped bring their acclaimed sophomore album, Go Farther In Lightness, to life, before acknowledging the significance of the Pacific Islander community and urging anybody with an inkling to create music to pick up an instrument or download the necessary software to bring more music into the world.

Other major winners on the night included Amy Shark, who took ARIAs for Best Pop and Breakthrough Artist, while Illy was crowned Best Australian Live Act – the public voted award that has come off the back of a mammoth run of touring for the Melbourne MC. Peking Duk took the Apple Music Song of the Year for their collab with Elliphant on “Stranger”, while PNAU cemented their return to the scene, taking Best Dance Release with “Chameleon”.

On deck to perform, receive and present awards, two international visitors in Harry Styles and Lorde impressed, while Daryl Braithwaite was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Check out the full list of winners below.

2017 ARIA AWARD WINNERS

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