ARIA AWARDS TURN 40: NIKKI WEBSTER, JIMMY BARNES AND MELANIE C JOIN THE BIG NIGHT
Dust off the sequins and claim the remote, because the ARIA Awards celebrate their 40th birthday this Wednesday, November 18.
The milestone ceremony returns to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, and the line-up is a lovely mix of the artists we grew up with and the ones our kids have on repeat.
Comedians Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald are hosting, which suggests a night that won't take itself too seriously.
If you have ever belted out a power ballad in the car, there will be something here for you.
The ARIA Awards line-up that spans four decades
According to Rolling Stone Australia, the performers include Genesis Owusu, Ecca Vandal, DMA'S, Scribe, Fred Leone, 3% and BOY SODA.
Spiderbait, one of this year's ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, will also take the stage, so expect a few nineties flashbacks.
Global pop star Sienna Spiro is making her ARIA debut, and ARIA says her hit Die On This Hill has gone platinum here.
At just 21, she has already won Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, and her January tour of Australia and New Zealand sold more than 30,000 tickets.
The presenters list is where the nostalgia really kicks in.
Jimmy Barnes, The Veronicas, Nikki Webster, Melanie C, Vika and Linda, Tim Minchin, Ladyhawke, Mark Seymour and Ben Lee are all handing out trophies.
Younger favourites including G Flip, Jack River, Gretta Ray, Baker Boy and Tash Sultana are presenting too, alongside Tame Impala.
Seeing Nikki Webster, the girl who floated above the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony, on stage at the ARIAs feels like a gift for anyone who remembers that night.
Who is tipped to take home a trophy
Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala lead the nominations with eight each, and both are up for Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist.
Ecca Vandal has seven nominations.
Baker Boy, BOY SODA, G Flip, Miss Kaninna and Ninajirachi each have five, while DMA'S, Dom Dolla and Troye Sivan have four.
Fans of a good comeback will notice that the Best Alternative Release category is back for the first time since 2016.
ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd has described the line-up as a celebration of four decades of Australian music.
How to watch the ARIA Awards at home
The good news is you don't need a ticket or a babysitter to enjoy it.
The ceremony streams live on Paramount+ from 5pm AEDT on Wednesday, according to TV Blackbox.
It then screens on Channel 10 from 8:45pm, after Big Brother, including the red carpet.
If fashion is your favourite part, ARIA will be sharing red carpet moments and performances on its social channels from 1pm.
Check your local guide for times outside the eastern states, as the evening broadcast may shift.
Make it a night in
An awards show is the perfect excuse for a midweek catch-up with friends, or simply a quiet night on the couch with a cup of tea.
Pop a few snacks on a platter, pick your favourites before the show and see who gets the most right by the end of the night.
Making a playlist of past ARIA winners to play while you cook dinner is a fun way to get in the mood, and it might spark a few "I forgot I loved this song" moments.
If you have teenagers, it's a rare chance to swap music notes across the generations, as there's genuinely something for everyone this year.
You can find the full list of nominees and updates on the official ARIA Awards website.
After 40 years, Australian music has plenty to celebrate, and Wednesday night looks set to be a proper party.
