ARIA Awards 2025: Amyl and the Sniffers Dominate, Dom Dolla Makes History, and Taylor Swift Reigns Again

The 2025 ARIA Awards erupted into a riot of punk energy, historic firsts, and international pop royalty as Australia’s music industry gathered at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. Within the first hour, Melbourne’s incendiary punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers had already snagged three trophies, setting the tone for a night that celebrated raw talent, bold artistry, and the enduring power of live music.

Amy Taylor’s Unforgettable Night

Amyl and the Sniffers arrived with six nominations and left as one of the evening’s biggest winners. The band—led by the irrepressible Amy Taylor—took home Best Group (the first award of the night), Best Cover Art for the cheeky ‘Cartoon Darkness’ artwork, and Best Rock Album for the same project. Taylor’s acceptance speech for Best Cover Art was vintage Spector: “I know you just like it because I was flashing my titties,” she joked, flashing a peace sign before thanking designers John Stewart and Thomas Rennie.

The wins cap a monumental few weeks for the band. They’re currently supporting AC/DC on the legendary act’s national tour, earned a Grammy nomination, and saw their free hometown concert at Federation Square cancelled due to overcrowding fears. Despite the setback, the group’s momentum is undeniable—and their ARIA haul confirms they’re Australia’s punk standard-bearers on a global stage.

Keli Holiday Shines with Electrifying Debut

The ceremony opened with a bang thanks to Keli Holiday’s performance of ‘Dancing2’, a track that blended his signature sway with a surprise appearance from Baker Boy on yidaki (didgeridoo) and G Flip on saxophone. Holiday later won Best Video for the same song, a clip inspired by his partner, reality star Abbie Chatfield. He didn’t leave the stage without thanking his muse, cementing his status as one of the night’s breakout stars.

Dom Dolla’s Global Impact and a Historic Award

House music juggernaut Dom Dolla was honored with the inaugural Global Impact Award, presented by Spotify. The 33-year-old producer, who had seven nominations, used his speech to encourage the next generation: “Don’t worry about the destination, you just gotta really enjoy it, and you might be really surprised where you end up.” He also revealed he’d be catching an 8 a.m. flight to Las Vegas the next morning, a testament to his relentless international schedule. Dolla’s award—alongside his win for Best Dance/Electronic Release for ‘DREAMIN’’—solidifies his role as Australia’s most exportable electronic act since the days of Flume.

Taylor Swift’s Unshakable International Reign

In a move that surprised no one, Taylor Swift once again won Most Popular International Artist—her fifth win in the category and third consecutive victory. The pop titan’s dominance in Australia remains absolute, even as local artists like Troye Sivan (who won Best Australian Live Act for his ‘Something to Give Each Other’ tour) and Thelma Plum (Best Pop Release for ‘I’m Sorry, Now Say it Back’) carved out their own victories. Swift’s repeat wins underscore the enduring cross-continental appeal of ‘The Tortured Poets Department’.

Other Key Winners and Snubs

Ninajirachi led the field with a record eight nominations, ultimately taking home the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist Award and Best Independent Release for her album ‘I Love My Computer’. The self-taught producer’s ascent reflects the growing power of independent artists in Australia’s music ecosystem.

• Best Blues & Roots Album: The Teskey Brothers – ‘Live at the Hammersmith Apollo’
• Best Hip Hop/Rap Release: BARKAA – ‘Big Tidda’
• Best Pop Release: Thelma Plum – ‘I’m Sorry, Now Say it Back’
• Album of the Year: Amyl and the Sniffers – ‘Cartoon Darkness’ (winner tba at time of writing)
• Song of the Year: still being decided; contenders include Dom Dolla’s ‘Dreamin’’ and Gotye’s ‘Somebody’ remix

Notably, Kylie Minogue—who released the ‘Tension II’ album—was nominated in multiple categories but went home empty-handed, a surprising outcome for the pop icon who dominated the 2024 awards. Similarly, RÜFÜS DU SOL’s album ‘Inhale / Exhale’ was shut out of major wins despite critical acclaim.

The Night’s Unforgettable Moments

Beyond the trophies, the 2025 ARIA Awards will be remembered for its live performances and emotional speeches. Baker Boy’s didgeridoo solo during Keli Holiday’s opening set was a powerful nod to Indigenous musical heritage. G Flip’s saxophone theatrics and Troye Sivan’s polished acceptance speech (in which he thanked the LGBTQ+ community) underscored the diversity and inclusivity that defines modern Australian music.

The ceremony also paid tribute to late Indigenous artist Gurrumul, whose orchestral album ‘Banbirrngu – The Orchestral Sessions’ won Best World Music Album. A warning was issued at the top of the broadcast about the use of an Indigenous person’s name who has died, showing the industry’s growing cultural sensitivity.

What This Means for the Industry

The 2025 ARIA Awards reflect a music scene in transition. Punk and rock are roaring back thanks to acts like Amyl and the Sniffers and Royel Otis, while electronic and dance music continue to dominate the streaming charts. Independent artists like Ninajirachi are breaking through without major label backing, and the Global Impact Award signals a strategic push to export Australian talent worldwide.

As Dom Dolla quipped on stage, “If [AC/DC’s] Angus Young is anything to go by, I’ll have white hair ripping it out on the dance floor in 50 years.” With this year’s winners—both established legends and hungry newcomers—the future of Australian music looks louder, more colorful, and more connected than ever.

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