That Time Silverchair Played & Russell Brand Winged It: Celebrating 30 Years Of ARIA

"It's very exciting," Rosen says of the anniversary.

"You look back at the history of the ARIAs over 30 years and there has been so many incredible artists and performers that have been on it and you see how our industry has grown and matured over that time. I think when the ARIAs started it was really a mark in the ground from the Australian industry to say 'we're an industry, we want to take ourselves seriously and we're creating incredible artists'.

"I think we've been true to that form over the last three decades."

The 2016 ceremony is set to be truly special not only because of the milestone, but because of the artists performing. Confirmed to hit the stage tonight include massive names like Flume, Violent Soho, The Veronicas and this year's Hall Of Fame act, Crowded House alongside fellow national treasures, John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes.

"This year is all about celebrating the best of the current year, but also paying homage to the artists who have been a part of our industry for the last three decades," Rosen says of the line-up.

"At the end of the day, it's rock'n'roll and with rock'n'roll, there's always a few missteps along the way and there's artists who go their own way."

"Farnham won pretty much every award at the first ever ARIAs" (six awards in 1987, including Album and Single Of The Year) "and Crowded House actually won the first ever ARIA award for Best Video. Those artists are still vital and relevant today so it's a great credit that we've been able to pull the best of the current with some of our legendary acts."

Though he has only served as the ARIA CEO since 2010, Rosen says he has always been a fan and watched every ARIA Awards ceremony while growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne. Asking him to list his favourite ARIAs memories proves a tough ask.

"For me, I vividly remember when Silverchair played with Tim Rogers - New Race by Radio Birdman," he recalls of the famous 1995 performance. "I actually didn't know about Radio Birdman at the time but I did after... That was a wonderful moment for me.

"Over the last few years since I've been involved, some of the Hall Of Fame moments have really stood out to me. When we inducted Yothu Yindi (2012) and we had Peter Garrett and Paul Kelly and Dan Sultan, Jessica Mauboy and Andrew Farriss on stage, that was a very, very special award and moment."

Though the ARIAs has produced highlight after highlight throughout the years, Rosen admits there have been a few times where some of the guests haven't always been the easiest to work with - but don't expect to hear about that any time soon. "Probably too many to talk about, but we try to keep that away from the public eye," he laughs. "At the end of the day, it's rock'n'roll and with rock'n'roll, there's always a few missteps along the way and there's artists who go their own way."

So what should we make of the 2016 international guest, Mr Robbie Williams? "That, I have no idea! Robbie is his own man. And some of those moments are wonderful. Like [2012 international guest] Russell Brand. When you've got someone supremely talented and funny... We didn't give him much of a brief at all, but he came on stage and he was just brilliant and hilarious.

"I think Robbie Williams is an incredible entertainer. He's someone who loves Australia as well and I think this year, it's very much about the 30-year anniversary. So if we did have someone from overseas, we wanted somebody who actually understood Australia and that understood Australian culture and humour and that liked Australian artists. I think Robbie is definitely that guy."

The 2016 ARIAs is primed to become more interactive then ever before on a national and global scale. Among the many initiatives been undertaken this year at the ceremony includes streaming the red carpet live on Facebook and, through a partnership with Apple Music, performances from the ceremony are to be screened live around the world.

"I think the influence of the ARIA experience can now stretch beyond Australia's borders which reflects the fact that our artists our now kicking goals on the world stage," Rosen says, while pondering the ARIA Awards' future.

"Hopefully we'll just continue to grow our influence both in the Asia pacific region, on a global basis and help more people in Australia and around the world be exposed to great Aussie music."