News 26 November 2020

Here's what happened at the 2020 ARIA Awards

Watch the incredible performances and more highlights.

Here's what happened at the 2020 ARIA Awards

The 2020 ARIA Awards have been held in unprecedented style, with Australian music's biggest names joining the live-streamed celebrations at Sydney's The Star or from locations across the globe. Big winners were Tame Impala, who collected five awards including Album Of The Year and Best Group; Sampa The Great, who scored three awards including Best Female; and Archie Roach, who landed two awards including Best Male, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

The event began with the ARIA Pre-Show presented by Swarovski, bringing together hosts Ash London and Mitch Churi with a bunch of this year's performers and nominees to present the first awards of the night via live stream to winning artists around the nation. Ash and Mitch also spoke with stars from Guy Sebastian to Briggs and Christine Anu about challenges facing the local music industry, and video chatted with Christian Wilkins to dissect red-carpet-at-home fashions. Watch the full Pre-Show below, featuring award presentations for Best Dance Release, Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album, Best Soul R&B Release, Best Country Album and more.

Despite a global pandemic keeping audiences away, the performances at this year's ARIA Awards were as electricifying as ever, with local artists including Amy Shark and Lime Cordiale taking the stage at The Star, while SIA and Sampa The Great streamed their performances from overseas, as did international superstars Sam Smith and Billie Eilish. In a touching moment, Archie Roach sang his signature song 'Took The Children Away' to mark his Hall of Fame induction, alongside artists including Paul Kelly. In another of the event's most-talked about numbers, the late Helen Reddy's classic 'I Am Woman' was given new life by Jessica Mauboy, Tones And I, Marcia Hines, Amy Shark, Christine Anu, The McClymonts, Montaigne, Emma Watkins, Kate Ceberano and the event's host Delta Goodrem. Watch the evening's unforgettable performances in the playlist below, in partnership with YouTube Music.

Among those accepting trophies on the night alongside Tame Impala, Sampa The Great and Archie Rose were Amy Shark, winner of Best Pop Release and Best Australian Live Act; Best International Artist winner Harry Styles; and 5 Seconds of Summer, who claimed the prestigious Song Of The Year award for their single 'Teeth'. Watch the acceptance speeches from all of this year's winners in the playlist below.

If you're short on time but still want to see what went down, check out the video below to get up to speed on everything that happened at this year's ARIA Awards in a convenient two minute package.

That's a wrap for 2020. View the full list of winners here and keep supporting Aussie music in the year to come.