After braving it through another epic red carpet event and getting all the goss, we're now in the thick of the 2018 ARIA Awards at The Star in Sydney.

Local rockers 5 Seconds Of Summer kick things off with a bang with their latest cut, Youngblood, before country legend Keith Urban delivers a fine welcome.

5 Seconds Of Summer. Pic by Brayden Smith

5SOS are quick to return to the stage to pick up Best Australian Live Act for their Meet You There Tour. It's the second time the Sydney outfit have picked up the award, previously taking it out in 2015 for their Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour.

"We would not be standing here if our fans didn't vote for this award, so it's for them," the band said upon accepting the award.

Present by UK favourite Rita Ora, Best Pop Release goes to Amy Shark with Love Monster. It's the second year in a row she's picked up the award, with Night Thinker winning in 2017.

"This is such a huge category - thank you," Shark says. "And I don't mean to sound like a dick, but this is my second Pop Release [Award] two years in a row, so this is insane."

Amy Shark. Pic by Brayden Smith

Steve Kilbey joins the party, presenting Best Rock Album to Courtney Barnett for Tell Me How You Really Feel. It's Barnett's first ARIA win since 2015, when she picked up four gongs.

"Thank you very much," Barnett says. "It is nerve-wracking up here, now I understand. I couldn't do shows and make records without my amazing band."

That didn't take long - 5 Seconds Of Summer return to the stage to claim Best Group, as presented by rock icon Jimmy Barnes.

Kasey Chambers' latest offering, Campfire, has picked up Best Country Album - that's the NINTH time she's won the award. Congrats!

“I’m most proud of the fact my daughter still gives me a job” - Bill Chambers during @kaseychambers Best Country Album acceptance speech #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

George Ezra gets up to perform Shotgun, a song that will now be stuck in everyone's head for the rest of the year.

Oh yeah, this is going to be in our heads all night... #arias pic.twitter.com/MlFblOQWDD

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Speaking of artists who know their way around an earworm, Vance Joy has just picked up Best Adult Contemporary Album for Nation Of Two. After scoring up numerous nominations in recent years, it's the singer-songwriter's second win, following on from Best Male Artist in 2015.

“I didn’t expect to win this and my sister just rocked up” - @vancejoy as he takes our Best Adult Contemporary #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Up for numerous awards tonight, PNAU grace the stage to collect Best Dance Release for their efforts with Go Bang.

.@pnau just became the first act to win Best Dance Release three times! #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Barnett grabs a guitar and shows everyone why she won Best Rock Album.

Yessssss @courtneymelba #arias pic.twitter.com/vh8GanUD3e

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Meanwhile backstage, Richard Marx casually strolls in...

Back to the awards, and Barnsey makes his return to the stage, this time to claim the award for Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album with Working Class Boy: The Soundtracks. The Aussie rock legend has picked up numerous awards as of late for his memoirs and accompanying film.

Hilltop Hoods' pick up Best Urban Release for Clark Griswold feat. Adrian Eagle, marking the sixth time they've claimed the award.

"I was already winning before this award" Eagle said backstage in the media room.

"We’re just grateful for Adrian," Hilltop Hoods added.

Hilltop Hoods and Adrian Eagle. Pic by Brayden Smith

There was some serious talent in this year's Breakthrough Artist category, and the prize has gone to Ruel, whose new release, Dazed & Confused, and captivating voice put him on the map.

.@oneruel takes out Breakthrough Artist and becomes the youngest solo artist to win an ARIA Award #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Gurrumul has posthumously been awarded Best Independent Release for his powerful record, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow). Gurrumul’s final album also saw him named the Double J Artist of the Year earlier this week.

"It’s hard representing an artist whose left us," producer Michael Hohnen said accepting the award on behalf alongside Gurrumul’s family.

Kasey Chambers' Hall Of Fame induction begins!

“She’s not pretending to be anyone else” - @bernardfanning on @kaseychambers during her Hall Of Fame induction #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

“I still have days when I look in the mirror and say ‘Am I not pretty enough?’ But now my answer is ‘Who gives a fuck?’” - @kaseychambers we love you so much #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

“I’m so proud to have become a strong woman in the music industry.” @kaseychambers #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Paul Kelly also gave an emotional speech: “Kasey, they’ll never call you tame. And that’s why you live right here, in my own hall of fame."

Kasey Chambers in the ARIAs media room.

Presented by triple j duo Veronica and Lewis, Parkway Drive claim Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album for the second time. Reverence takes out the gong this year, while Deep Blue scored the honour back in 2010.

After being nominated for four ARIAs last year, Tash Sultana picks up Best Blues & Roots Album with Flow State.

After a stunning performance from Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy takes to the stage to present Gurrumul with Best Male Artist. He is the first artist to win the award posthumously.

Gurrumul’s daughter Jasmine accepts the award: "He was a special person to everyone he met.”

Pic by Brayden Smith

Justine Clarke picks up Best Children's Album with The Justine Clarke Show.

There was a stack of local talent among the Best Video Awards, which Dean Lewis has collected for Be Alright.

We ❤️ @deanlewismusic #arias pic.twitter.com/wbozRNiIVy

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

After being nominated for the award in 2017, Amy Shark returns to the stage to pick up Best Female Artist!

“I feel like 2018 has been an amazing year for women in music” - @AmySharkMusic when accepting the Best Female Artist award #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

Shining a light on the unsung heroes of the music industry, Sheppard present Scott Maxwell of Grant High School in Mount Gambier with the Music Teacher of the Year award.

Amy Shark picks up another award! Love Monster has been named the Album of the Year.

“I will cherish this forever.” @AmySharkMusic #arias

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) November 28, 2018

The people have spoken - 5 Seconds Of Summer's Youngblood wins the public voted Song of the Year award to round out the 2018 ARIAs. The rockers picked up the same award back in 2014 with She Looks So Perfect.

What a night!

2018 ARIA Awards Results

Apple Music Album Of The Year

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (Wonderlick/Sony Entertainment)

Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
Gurrumul - Djarimirri(Child Of The Rainbow) (SFM/MGM)
PNAU - Changa (etcetc Music)
Troye Sivan - Bloom (EMI)

Best Male Artist 

WINNER: Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) (SFM/MGM)

Dan Sultan - Killer Under A Blood Moon (Liberation Records)
Dean Lewis - Be Alright (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Troye Sivan - Bloom (EMI)
Vance Joy-  Nation Of Two (Liberation Records)

Best Female Artist 

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (Wonderlick Recording Company)

Alison Wonderland - Awake (EMI)
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
Sia - Flames (What A Music Ltd, Under Exclusive Licence to Warner Music Group)
Tash Sultana - Flow State (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music)

Best Dance Release 

WINNER: PNAU - Go Bang  (etcetc Music)

Alison Wonderland - Awake (EMI)
Fisher - Losing It (etcetc Music)
Peking Duk - Fire (Sony Music)
RÜFÜS DU SOL - No Place  (Sony Music)

Best Group

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer -Youngblood (Capitol UK/EMI)

DMA’S - For Now (I OH YOU)
Peking Duk - Fire (Sony Music)
PNAU - Go Bang (etcetc Music)
RÜFÜS DU SOL - No Place (Sony Music)

Breakthrough Artist

WINNER: Ruel - Dazed & Confused (RCA Records/Sony Music)

Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother (Nicky Boy Records/Caroline Australia)
Jack River - Sugar Mountain (I OH YOU)
Mojo Juju - Native Tongue (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Odette -To A Stranger (EMI)

Best Pop Release

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (Wonderlick Recording Company)

5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood (Capitol UK/EMI)
Dean Lewis - Be Alright (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Jack River - Sugar Mountain (I OH YOU)
Troye Sivan - Bloom (EMI) 

Best Urban Release

WINNER: Hilltop Hoods - Clark Griswold (feat. Adrian Eagle) (Hilltop Hoods/Universal Music Australia)

360 - Vintage Modern (Forthwrite/EMI)
Esoterik - My Astral Plane (Flight Deck/Mushroom Group)
Hilltop Hoods - Clark Griswold (feat. Adrian Eagle) (Hilltop Hoods/Universal Music Australia)
Kerser - Engraved In The Game (ABK Records. Marketed & distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)
Mojo Juju - Native Tongue (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)

Best Independent Release

WINNER: Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) (SFM/MGM)

Angus & Julia Stone - Snow (Angus & Julia Stone Pty Ltd/EMI)
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
DMA’S - For Now (I OH YOU)
PNAU - Go Bang (etcetc Music)

Best Rock Album

WINNER: Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)

Camp Cope - How To Socialise & Make Friends (Poison City Records)
DMA’S - For Now (I OH YOU)
Luca Brasi - Stay (Cooking Vinyl Australia)
Middle Kids - Lost Friends (EMI) 

Best Adult Contemporary Album

WINNER: Vance Joy - Nation Of Two  (Liberation Records)

Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile - Lotta Sea Lice (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
Dan Sultan - Killer Under A Blood Moon (Liberation Records)
Missy Higgins - Solastalgia (Eleven: A Music Company/EMI Music)
Odette - To A Stranger (EMI) 

Best Country Album

WINNER: Kasey Chambers & The Fireside Disciples - Campfire (Essence Group Entertainment. Marketed and distributed by Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd) 

Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont - Adam & Brooke (Lost Highway Australia /Universal Music Australia)
Fanny Lumsden - Real Class Act (Red Dirt Road/AWAL)
The Wolfe Brothers - Country Heart (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Travis Collins - Brave & The Broken (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia) 

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album 

WINNER: Parkway Drive - Reverence (Resist Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia)

DZ Deathrays - Bloody Lovely (I OH YOU)
King Parrot - Ugly Produce (EVP Recordings/Rocket)
Parkway Drive - Reverence (Resist Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia)
Polaris - The Mortal Coil (Resist Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia)
West Thebarton - Different Beings Being Different (Domestic La La/Sony Music Entertainment) 

Best Blues & Roots Album

WINNER: Tash Sultana - Flow State (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music)

Angus & Julia Stone - Snow (Angus & Julia Stone Pty Ltd/EMI)
Emily Wurramara - Milyakburra (Wantok Musik/MGM)
Mama Kin Spender - Golden Magnetic (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Ruby Boots - Don’t Talk About It (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)

Best Original Soundtrack Or Musical Theatre Cast Album

WINNER: Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Boy: The Soundtracks (BLOODLINES)

Evelyn Ida Morris - Acute Misfortune (Original Soundtrack) (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy - The Secret Daughter Season Two (Songs for the Original 7 Series) (Sony Music)
LIARS - 1/1 (Original Soundtrack) (Mute/Inertia)
Various Artists - Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical (The Original Cast Recording) (Global Creatures/Sony Music) 

Best Children's Album 

WINNER: Justine Clarke - The Justine Clarke Show! (ABC KIDS/Universal Music Australia)

Lah-Lah - 10th Birthday Party (Stella Projects/Sony Music)
Sam Moran - Santa’s Coming! (Sony Music)
Teeny Tiny Stevies - Helpful Songs For Little People (ABC KIDS/Universal Music Australia)
The Wiggles - Wiggle Pop! (ABC KIDS/Universal Music Australia) 

Apple Music Song Of The Year

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood (Capitol UK/EMI)

Amy Shark - I Said Hi (Wonderlick Recording Company)
Angus & Julia Stone - Chateau (Angus & Julia Stone Pty Ltd/EMI)
Conrad Sewell - Healing Hands (Sony Music)
Dean Lewis - Be Alright (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Peking Duk - Fire/Reprisal (Sony Music)
PNAU - Go Bang (etcetc Music)
Sheppard - Coming Home (Chugg Music/MGM)
Troye Sivan - My My My! (EMI)
Vance Joy - Lay It On Me (Liberation Records) 

Best Video

WINNER: Dean Lewis - Be Alright (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)

Amy Shark - I Said Hi (Wonderlick Recording Company)
Client Liaison - Survival In The City (Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)
Courtney Barnett - Need A Little Time (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
Gang Of Youths - The Heart Is A Muscle (Mosy Recordings/Sony Music)
Mojo Juju - Native Tongue (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Peking Duk - Fire (Sony Music)
PNAU - Go Bang (etcetc Music)
Tash Sultana - Salvation  (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music)
The Presets - Do What You Want (Modular/EMI) 

Best Australian Live Act

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer - Meet You There Tour (Capitol UK/EMI)

Amy Shark - Love Monster Tour (Wonderlick Recording Company)
Client Liaison - Expo Liaison (Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel National Tour (Milk! Records/Remote Control Records)
Dean Lewis - 2017 National Tour (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Gang Of Youths - 2017 National Tour (Mosy Recordings/Sony Music)
Paul Kelly - Life Is Fine Tour 2017 (EMI)
Peking Duk - The Wasted Tour  (Sony Music)
PNAU - Pnau Changa Australian Tour  (etcetc Music)
Tash Sultana - Homecoming Tour  (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music) 

Best International Artist

WINNER: Camila Cabello - Camila (Syco/Epic/Sony Music)

Drake - Scorpion & More Life (Republic/Universal Music)
Ed Sheeran - ÷ (Warner Music)
Eminem - Revival & Kamikaze (Interscope/Universal Music)
Imagine Dragons - Evolve (Interscope/Universal Music)
Khalid - American Teen (RCA/Sony Music)
P!nk - Beautiful Trauma (RCA/Sony Music)
Post Malone - Beerbongs & Bentleys & Stoney (Universal Music)
Sam Smith - The Thrill Of It All (Capitol/EMI)
Taylor Swift - Reputation (Big Machine/Universal Music)   

Music Teacher Of The Year

WINNER: Scott Maxwell (Grant High School, Mount Gambier SA 5209)

Becky Hall (Education Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne VIC 3052)
Dean Harawira (Nerang State High School, Gold Coast QLD 4211)
Deborah Skelton (Caladenia Primary School, Canning Vale WA 6155)