Punk Rock and EDM Dominate 2025 ARIA Awards: Amyl and The Sniffers, Ninajirachi, and Dom Dolla Lead the Winners

The 2025 ARIA Awards delivered a thunderous celebration of Australian music as punk mayhem and electronic euphoria collided on Wednesday, November 19, in Sydney. Leading the charge were Amyl and The Sniffers, Ninajirachi, and Dom Dolla, each taking home multiple trophies from the 39th annual ceremony at the Hordern Pavilion. From Amy Taylor's unapologetic political statements to a groundbreaking win for female EDM artists, the night underscored the raw energy and evolving diversity of the Australian music scene.

Amyl and The Sniffers: From Pub Rock to Global Domination

With four golden awards, Amyl and The Sniffers ruled the night, including the coveted Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for their third studio LP Cartoon Darkness. The band also snagged Best Group and Best Cover Art, the latter prompting frontwoman Amy Taylor's typically unfiltered quip: “I know you just like it because I was flashing my titties.”

Taylor’s acceptance for Album of the Year was even more audacious. Declaring herself “the new prime minister of Australia,” she called for immigrant welcome, land back, higher welfare, and a million dollars for every pub. The album, she noted, had “changed all of our lives.” It’s a far cry from the days when the foursome was a best-kept secret of the pub rock circuit. Now they’re opening for AC/DC on the band’s stadium tour, collecting Grammy and Brit Award nominations, and becoming international festival darlings.

Ninajirachi: The Rise of ‘Girl EDM’

Ninajirachi, the 23-year-old producer, singer, and songwriter (real name Nina Wilson), entered the ARIAs with a leading eight nominations and left with three trophies: Best Solo Artist, the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist, and Best Independent Release for her debut album I Love My Computer. Coming off a gold rush that includes the Australian Music Prize and triple j’s J Award, her win marks a historic moment for female electronic artists in Australia. Her set at the Hordern Pavilion proved that the “girl EDM” movement is more than a trend—it’s a powerhouse reshaping the genre.

Dom Dolla Makes Global Impact

Electronic heavyweight Dom Dolla was already a winner before the ceremony began, named the inaugural Global Impact Recipient. During the show, he took home Best Dance/Electronic Release for DREAMIN’—his third consecutive win in that category. With seven nominations total, Dom Dolla continues to be a leading force in Australia’s dance music export, blending house beats with an unmistakable local flavor.

Other Major Winners and Memorable Moments

Kevin Parker added two Artisan awards for engineering and production on Tame Impala’s Deadbeat, joking that the engineering stage is “probably the thing I spend the longest on.” Troye Sivan won Best Australian Live Act for his Something To Give Each Other Tour, while Taylor Swift took home Most Popular International Artist.

Thelma Plum delivered a standout performance of “Nobody’s Baby” and later accepted Best Pop Release from supermodel Tyra Banks, calling it “a fever dream.” Her album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back resonated deeply with audiences. In the hip-hop and R&B categories, BARKAA won Best Hip Hop/Rap Release with Big Tidda, and BOY SODA took Best Soul/R&B for Lil Obsession.

Rock and metal fans saw Thornhill claim Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album for Bodies, while the Teskey Brothers made history with a record fourth Best Blues & Roots Album win. The Laneway Festival was crowned Australia’s favorite music festival with the inaugural Best Music Festival award, after selling roughly 200,000 tickets on its latest tour.

Hall of Fame Induction and Performances

The night’s emotional peak came when alternative rock legends You Am I were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute in a video message, noting that “along the way, you’ve added to who we are.” The band closed the show with a two-song set of “Heavy Heart” and “Berlin Chair,” reminding everyone why they remain beloved icons.

Other performers included Olivia Dean, Keli Holiday, Missy Higgins, and Thelma Plum, all adding to the electric atmosphere. The ceremony was sponsored by Spotify and streamed live on Paramount+, with a highlight reel airing on Network 10.

Full List of Key Winners

• Album of the Year: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
• Best Solo Artist: Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
• Best Group: Amyl and The Sniffers
• Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist: Ninajirachi
• Best Pop Release: Thelma Plum – I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back
• Best Dance/Electronic Release: Dom Dolla – DREAMIN’
• Best Rock Album: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
• Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Thornhill – Bodies
• Best Hip Hop/Rap Release: BARKAA – Big Tidda
• Best Australian Live Act: Troye Sivan
• Most Popular International Artist: Taylor Swift
• Best Music Festival: Laneway Festival

What It Means for Australian Music

The 2025 ARIA Awards reflect a seismic shift in Australia’s music landscape. Punk’s unapologetic resurgence via Amyl and The Sniffers proves that raw, politically charged rock still resonates globally. Simultaneously, the success of Ninajirachi signals that electronic music—especially by women—is no longer an underground niche. With Dom Dolla’s global impact award, Australia’s dance producers are now recognized as world-class. The night was a testament to the country’s rich creative ecosystem, where festivals like Laneway thrive and legacy acts like You Am I are honored alongside fresh faces. As the awards show continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Australian music is louder, bolder, and more diverse than ever.

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