The ARIA Awards are intended to celebrate the year that was, and on paper they did just that. Angus and Julia Stone deservingly took home the lion’s share of the pointy statues. Their sophomore effort Down The Way was named album of the year, best adult alternative album, and best cover art, its second single “Big Jet Plane” single of the year, and the duo was named producers of the year.
I was also thrilled to see Washington bag a double for female artist of the year and breakthrough artist, and outgoing act Powderfinger recognized by the new popular awards for album and artist.
What a shame that the ceremony itself wasn’t fitting of the artists it recognised. I use the word ceremony loosely, because really there wasn’t anything ceremonial about it. I’m not suggesting the ARIAs need a great deal of pomp, but this thing was so relaxed that it got messy.
I cringed watching presenters wading through crowds to hand out the gongs, and seeing speeches given amongst the throng. The concept of making the awards accessible to the public looks good on paper; this music is for the people after all. But the execution was lacking last night. I’m not sure whether it made any more sense at the event, but at home watching on the TV it appeared shambolic.
The performances helped to save it, of course. We can always rely on our musicians to turn out quality acts, and they did. I loved Washington’s saucy delivery of “Sunday Best,” and Dan Sultan stepping in for INXS. If they’re looking for a replacement for JD Fortune any time soon, he’d do a great job.
While those musical numbers helped make the event watchable, they couldn’t save it completely. I only hope that next year our musicians get the ceremony they deserve.