Here's What Went Down Behind The Scenes At The ARIA Awards

The glitz! The glamour! The dodgy outfits! The controversy! The Harry! For all of its faults, the ARIA Awards are the focal point for Australian music each year and gives musicians, industry people and fans alike a chance to pat each other on the back whilst pouring copious amounts of drinks down their throats.

This year, the media suite has been upgraded. More space for the music journalists and photographers of Australia with power points and desks (welcome to the 21st century!) and a brand-new name. The first thing we notice on our way in is the photo montage on the wall. It’s a touching tribute to recently passed journalist, Iain ‘Sheddy’ Shedden, of whom the media suite will be known by as of this year. The former Saints drummer and writer for The Australian is given a touching speech before the formalities begin as we toast his memory with a glass of his favourite tipple, cider.

read more — tears, cheers & trophies: here are the highlights from the 2017 aria awards

The early buzz in the room is about the red carpet. Did Harry (Styles) turn up? Who was the best dressed? What was Kirin J Callinan wearing under his kilt? This was answered in the most obvious of ways, but some questions are best left unanswered. The host for the night is, once again, ABC’s own Robbie Buck and his job is to wrangle questions out of the media pack as well as interview guests as they come off stage.

Having settled in with chips and soft drink (one must pace one’s self), we prepare for the first guest to join us and it is none other than Fleetwood Mac’s, Mick Fleetwood. The tall and dapper blue suited Brit chats to Robbie about his new book and the 1967 origins of the band.

The most pointless award of the night, Best International Artist, is being announced on stage and from the sound of the screams, it’s obvious who’s won it. Harry Styles overcomes Kendrick Lamar himself to pick up the award. Hey, what a coincidence, he’s here to accept it! Some in the room are hoping for an appearance of Harry on the couch. Some… are not.

The awards are rolling along quickly it seems and as Kasey Chambers accepts her Best Country Album award, we are treated to Bliss N Eso on the couch. The veteran hip hop duo just picked up their second ever ARIA for Best Video to round out a bittersweet year. Putting their success down to persistence and doing the hard yards, it’s nice to see them recognised for a video that almost didn’t happen.

We seem to be lacking any sort of good content early but when Robbie announces that there is complimentary beer and wine, we are somewhat placated. “Someone must like you!”, he declares.

The electro-dance trio, Pnau, are next up and they share what is was like when Sir Elton John gave them a call. Nick Littlemore jokingly reminisces, “Elton who?” The media room starts to warm-up and we throw questions to the artists.

There are some excited screams from the back corner of the room leading behind the stage and we realise that the latest award recipients are celebrating their win. For Best Blues & Roots Album, All Our Exes Live In Texas have claimed their first ARIA and it’s fantastic to see their genuine excitement.

Robbie chats to the four talented ladies about their busy year and the choice of adornment on their nails comes up. Hannah Croft shares that hers reads “Save Manus”, but unfortunately (and somewhat humourously) the M has rubbed off a little. Katie Wighton has “Me Too” on hers but it’s not quite as big a statement as Montaigne’s painted chest last year. Their encouragement and support of women in the industry is an excellent thing however. “Just do it, girls!”, they declare when asked about starting a group.

Kasey Chambers picked up her 12th pointy ARIA tonight but tells Robbie, “I’ve got kids! These things are dangerous!” The effervescent country singer waxes lyrical on the inspiration for her latest album. “There’s nothing better for a country singer than going through a divorce!”, referring to her recent split from fellow musician, Shane Nicholson.

The guests are starting to come thick and fast now and they’re getting bigger and bigger. After Daryl Braithwaite accepts his Hall Of Fame recognition from fellow inductee Jimmy Barnes, the kilted screamer enters the media suite. In trademark relaxed fashion, he chats to Robbie about his Best Children’s Album award for Och Aye The G'Nu! With his 13 grandkids (one of which joins him to accept the award) and one great-grandchild he certainly has plenty of fans in the family!

As the final awards are handed out on stage, we are treated to Paul Kelly on the couch admitting that “some albums are more difficult than others”.

The legends continue with INXS members Jon Farriss and Kirk Pengilly revealing that they miss playing big shows when they see footage of their classic Wembley Stadium concert. A question from Buck refers to the twenty years since Michael Hutchence’s death and the pair admit that it sucks that everyone brings up his death and that they try to avoid the anniversary. “We’ll always miss him. He was one of the greatest performers ever. I just wish I could remember it!” reveals Pengilly.

As Peking Duk accept the award for Song Of The Year, the Gang Of Youths boys descend on the couch. The ever-eloquent David Le’aupepe commends the room on their efforts (and staying power) and reinforces the need for a “good and honest fourth estate”, before discussing a common theme from the speeches he had made during the night, his heritage. A question from yours truly prompts Dave for his opinion on balance between award cynicism and validation. “I’m a sucker for validation,” admits the sensitive Le’aupepe. The four deserved ARIA nods from this year go a long way towards that.

We’re starting to fade as the final guests get pumped through, but we spare a thought for our host, Robbie Buck, who gets up at 3:30am every single day.

Best Live Act winner Illy looks tired having performed over 73 shows off the back of his ARIA nominated Two Degrees album. Don’t let anyone tell you that musicians don’t work hard! He even reveals that after the next month off he’ll be back in the studio working on new material. He also commends the diversity of the hip hop scene in recent times.

Peking Duk’s Adam and Reuben bounce into the room, beer in hand and share how they only just made the awards having caught the last four seats back from Bali before the event. They share the title of their upcoming track as Wasted, coming out in January 2018.

The eyelids are starting to droop as we hit the sixth hour in the suite, but new Hall Of Famer, Daryl Braithwaite is great value as he discusses his career, including the time he failed at doing cabaret shows and was then forced onto the dole. Unfortunately, he’d removed his blue silk shirt that he wore during his performance of The Horses earlier in the night.

Our final chat of the night comes from dual award winner Amy Shark. Her discussion of persistence, frustration and eventual reward is inspirational and we perk up realising that our own persistence has been worth it. We made it to the end!

Robbie farewells the throng, we shut down our devices and consider our next options for the rest of the evening.