All The Action From The 2018 ARIAs Red Carpet

Not even the wild weather could stop artists, music lovers, the industry and The Music’s Jess Dale and Neil Griffiths from diving head first into the 2018 ARIA Awards.

Here’s what went down at the red carpet event in Sydney.

Kira Puru

“The response to Tension and all the songs off the EP has been incredible. I could have never predicted that it would be this positive, so I’m surprised but I’m also super thankful.”

Gemma Pike (triple j)

I’d absolutely love to see Amy get up, she’s just had such a stellar year, internationally as well. That album’s phenomenal and she’s really an artist coming into her own after so many years of hard work.”

Montaigne

“I feel quite dehydrated because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pee in this dress, so I haven’t drunk any water, but I’m hoping to drink some water soon.”

Montaigne

Ruby Boots

“I couldn’t be more excited. I think it’s a huge nod; this is as good as it gets. I’ve been working so hard overseas that to be dominated for an ARIA is like, ‘This is great, I still feel like I'm part of my home country.’”

Anonymous artist who may have regrets tomorrow

“I’ve had a couple of drinks, couple of Valium, having a great time.”

Odette

On being nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album: “No, that’s messed up. I was like, ‘Best Breakthrough Artist, oh my god, amazing.’ And then they were like, ‘Best Adult Contemporary – Missy Higgins, Odette.’ And I was like, ‘Shut the front door, something is wrong here.’ But it’s so amazing."

Odette

Zan Rowe (Double J)

“I just love red carpets and that’s pretty much where we’ve been so far. But we’ve also caught up with quite a lot of people, had some D&Ms with OG Murray Wiggle who said he’s definitely kicking on at the after party, so he’s in it for the long haul."

Set Mo

“This is our first [ARIAs], so we’re just feeling it out. We were nervous, then we walked around the corner and saw how many cameras were on the red carpet and got a few butterflies, but we’ve done that now so we’re good.

“We had a pretty wild year, we put out more music than ever; we’ve been putting out a track a month this year, which has been insanely busy… if you stay tuned, next week there’s a very exciting announcement coming.”

Peter Mayes, PNAU

“Do you have any gum? I dunno if that’s a rude question, but my mouth is so dry.”

PNAU

Alex Lahey

“It’s been really cool to extend myself to others, so I think that’s been really fun. It was really interesting making that record because it made me realise why people love making albums and it just made me want to do it again and again and again.”

Alex Lahey

Declan Byrne (triple j)

“Obviously, with the most nominations, Amy Shark’s got a really good chance and her album Love Monster is amazing. Such good pop music, all about love songs, which everyone can relate to, so I think she’s going to go pretty well.

“It’s so good to see [Courtney Barrett] killing it internationally as well. It’s all well and good for us to love these Australia artists, but seeing America lap up Courtney’s music is really good.”

Polaris

“I think we’ll go out [after]. We don’t want to make fools of ourselves, but we want to have a good night.

“It’s actually quite difficult not making fools out of ourselves, but we will endeavour.”

Zane Lowe

On coming back for his second consecutive ARIAs: “I didn’t realise there’d be this seismic shift in the music coming out of Australia.”

Zane Lowe

Carmouflage Rose

“I’m just happy to be part of the whole scene, representing Brisbane."

Luca Brasi

On Stay being nominated for Best Rock Album: “One part of it feels like relief and one part of it feels like gratification – we actually did do something that wasn’t shit.”

Luca Brasi

Fisher

On being nominated in the same category as label mates PNAU: “Good on them. They’re amazing artists. But I’m just here for the ride, have a bit of fun and see how we go. But, fuck ‘em.”