Electronic wunderkind Flume has swept the 2013 Arias with awards in four categories including Best Male Artist, hailing it a victory for people with bad voices.
But it was also a big night for Perth psychedelic rockers Tame Impala who were named Best Group and took out Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for Lonerism.
The 22-year-old producer/remixer Flume, whose real name is Harley Streten, also won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Dance Release on Sunday night.
He already took home Producer of the Year in October.
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Flume acknowledged he was breaking the Aria mould but said electronic music was “killing it right now”.
“Do you know the really coolest thing about winning this is I’m a producer, I don’t even sing,” he said.
“I actually did a bit of research and found out that never in the history of the ARIAs has someone who doesn’t sing won this award.
“I’m not a frontman. I prefer to spend my time sitting in a dark room, in front of a laptop.
“So hopefully it opens the floodgates for producers around Oz and people with bad voices in general.”
Jessica Mauboy topped off a big year by winning Best Female Artist.
It’s the second Aria award for the singer and actor, who has been nominated for 10 to date.
She won an Aria for highest selling single with Running Back in 2009 but missed Best Female in 2012 when Kimbra won.
Mauboy accepted the award from US superstar Alicia Keys on Sunday.
“Shut the gate, I’m just going to say it – this is so deadly,” the indigenous performer said.
“We are so deadly in this country, man, and we forget that.”
Guy Sebastian also took home two awards, winning best pop release for his album Armageddon and Best Australian Live Act.
The awards had vindicated him, he said.
“This year best live act is unbelievable to win – it means I kind of sing in tune and put on a bit of a show.”
Veterans Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ album Push The Sky Away took out the award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, just moments after it was named Best Independent Release.
Cave, who wasn’t in Australia to receive the award, accepted the gongs via video.
Five-piece Perth band Karnivool won Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album with Asymmetry.
“First up thanks ARIA for the ‘bogan’ award,” guitarist and founding member Andrew Goddard said.
Country crooners Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson won Best Country Album.
The duo, whose marriage has broken down, took out the award with Wreck and Ruin, a warts-and-all look at married life.
Best Blues and Roots Album was won by Sharkmouth.
Seventies soft rockers Air Supply were inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement award.
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock thanked everyone who had knocked their “drippy love songs” over the years.
“Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart,” Lead guitarist Graham Russell said.
“Without you we never would have learned how to get up and fight back.”
Award for the shortest speech of the night should have gone to Sydney singer/songwriter Matt Corby, who won Song of the Year with Resolution.
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“It’s an honour ,I don’t really have much to say. have a good night.”
Boy band One Direction won Best International Artist, edging out Taylor Swift and Pink.
