The 2024 Aria Awards, Australia’s premier music awards ceremony, saw pop sensation Troye Sivan and indie rock duo Royel Otis emerge as the evening’s biggest winners. In a star-studded event held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, the two acts claimed a combined seven awards, solidifying their status as the country’s most celebrated musical talents.
Troye Sivan’s Triumphant Return
Troye Sivan, the 28-year-old dance-pop star, continued his winning streak from the previous year, taking home three awards including the coveted album of the year for his deeply personal record, “Something to Give Each Other.” In an emotional acceptance speech, Sivan shared the story behind the album’s inspiration:
This album has completely changed my life. It was inspired by the moments between lockdowns in Melbourne. I was single and really depressed and lonely, and I just started to go out and hook up with random people.
Troye Sivan
Sivan’s candid revelation resonated with the audience, as he encouraged them to embrace connection and seize opportunities for personal growth. The singer also claimed the best solo artist award for the second consecutive year and best pop release for his chart-topping album.
Royel Otis’ Breakout Success
Indie rock duo Royel Otis had a breakout year, leading the nominations with eight nods and ultimately winning four awards: best group, best rock album, best engineered release, and best produced release. The latter two were awarded in collaboration with their producer, Chris Collins.
In a video message recorded from a moving ferris wheel in Belgium, the ecstatic duo expressed their gratitude:
Oh my God, oh my days. Friends, fans, family – God bless you.
Royel Otis
The band’s international success has been fueled by their viral covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” and The Cranberries’ “Linger,” which propelled them to sold-out shows across the United States and Europe.
First Nations Supergroup 3% Makes a Statement
First Nations supergroup 3%, comprising Nooky, Dallas Woods, and Angus Fields, made a powerful statement with their wins for best hip-hop/rap release and best cover art for their album “Kill the Dead.” During his acceptance speech, Filipino-Muruwari rapper Dobby, who won best world music album for “Warrangu: River Story,” questioned the categorization of Indigenous music:
World music – Radical Son, Christine Anu and Dobby, all speaking Indigenous languages: if anything, we should be the most Australian acts on this roster. Hell, we should even be country music!
Dobby
Notable Moments and Winners
The 2024 Aria Awards also featured several other memorable moments and deserving winners:
- Canberra rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers won breakthrough artist, thanking Jack Black for inspiring them after watching “School of Rock” at a sleepover.
- Missy Higgins was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame and won best Australian live act, a publicly voted award, following her year-long tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of her iconic album “The Sound of White.”
- G Flip’s “The Worst Person Alive” claimed the publicly voted song of the year award.
- Past nominees and winners, including Tkay Maidza, Angie McMahon, Emily Wurramara, and Dom Dolla, added to their Aria collections with wins in their respective categories.
- Troy Cassar-Daley, a five-time Aria winner, claimed his sixth award for best country album with “Between the Fires.”
- International pop icon Taylor Swift won the public-voted international artist of the year award for the fourth time and second year in a row.
The 2024 Aria Awards served as a celebration of the diverse talent and resilience of the Australian music industry. As the nation continues to recover from the challenges of the past few years, the ceremony provided a platform for artists to share their stories, express their gratitude, and unite through the power of music.
With Troye Sivan and Royel Otis leading the charge, the future of Australian music looks brighter than ever. As these artists continue to push boundaries and captivate audiences around the world, they serve as an inspiration for the next generation of musicians, reminding us of the transformative power of creativity, perseverance, and connection.
