Dom Dolla
Globetrotting rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, acclaimed producer Dom Dolla, and Indigenous hip-hop supergroup 3% were all among the winners on Wednesday night (April 9) at the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards.
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Handed out at the Ivy in Sydney, the awards were hosted by radio host and passionate Australian music lover Nic Kelly, with some of the country’s most prominent and revered names in contention at this year’s event.
Amyl and the Sniffers led the pack, taking home two awards on the night. In the best LP/EP category, their third studio album Cartoon Darkness beat out the likes of RÜFÜS DU SOL, Amy Shark, Missy Higgins, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, while their win as best live act saw them triumph over Tones and I, Parkway Drive, Confidence Man, and Dom Dolla.
While Dolla couldn’t attend the awards physically, he didn’t go home empty-handed. Despite three nominations, he only emerged victorious in one category, with the Rolling Stone global award seeing him beat out a talented range of nominees, including Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, and Amyl and the Sniffers.
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“I’m absolutely shattered I can’t be there tonight to accept the Global Award, but very fitting considering the title of the award that I’m touring in America,” said Dolla, who will also headline the opening night of Bonnaroo alongside Luke Combs this June. “Thank you so much for considering me and for the award!”
Meanwhile, Indigenous Australian artists also took out two major categories at the event. For best single, Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator, Thelma Plum was recognized for her 2024 track “Freckles,” while best new artist was awarded to 3%, a hip-hop supergroup comprising Angus Field, Nooky and Dallas Woods. Their debut album, Kill the Dead, had previously won best hip-hop/rap release at the 2024 ARIA Awards.
For the readers’ choice category, Keli Holiday (who is also known as Adam Hyde from ARIA Award-winning electronic duo Peking Duk) took out the honor, with the hotly-contested category seeing him triumph over names such as Pond, Gut Health, SPEED, Delta Goodrem, and Crowded House, who were the recipients of 2024’s ‘Icon’ award.
This year, it was ICEHOUSE who were given ‘Icon’ status, with frontman Iva Davies on hand to share an acceptance speech.
“Thank you very much indeed, an amazing thanks to Rolling Stone, incredibly unexpected, I have to say,” Davies said in a speech. “I’ll name one person here tonight, the co-founder of Flowers and Icehouse bass player, Keith Walsh. Also, all the former members of the crew, and a special shout out to the man who put this all together, our production manager who has been working with us since 1986 – Mr Larry Ponting. Thanks for having us here.”
Icehouse first formed in Sydney as Flowers in 1977, issuing their debut album Icehouse in 1980 before adopting the name from then on. The record hit No. 4 in Australia, and No. 82 on the Billboard 200, while fifth album – 1987’s Man of Colours – hit the top of Australian charts and peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. That record also boasted some of the group’s biggest internationally-successful singles, with “Electric Blue” and “Crazy” hitting No. 7 and 14 on the Hot 100, respectively.
In 2006, the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, while 1982 single “Great Southern Land” has often been considered an unofficial national anthem by Australian music lovers.
“There was a time when there was a band doing the rounds that were described as the highest earning unsigned act in the country, and they were called Flowers,” said presenter Richard Wilkins as he introduced the award. “We couldn’t help ourselves but fall in love with them, and all that changed when Flowers became ICEHOUSE and they went on to have massive hits all over the world. They are one of the greatest bands ever to come out of this great southern land.”
Rolling Stone AU/NZ is published by Vinyl Media, part of The Vinyl Group. “Tonight was a fantastic celebration of Australian music and the remarkable artists this country produces,” said editor-in-chief Neil Griffiths.
“All our nominees have been doing their bit to showcase the strength of Australian music on a global stage, and this was our opportunity to give something back.”
The fifth annual awards welcomed multiple new and returning sponsors this year, with headline partner American Apparel on board alongside Shure and JMC Academy.
2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners
Rolling Stone Icon Award
ICEHOUSE (WINNER)
Best Single
Thelma Plum – ‘Freckles’ (WINNER)Amyl and the Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That”Empire of the Sun – “Changes”Dom Dolla – “girl$”CYRIL – “Stumblin’ in”Baker Boy – “KING”
Best New Artist
3% (WINNER)CYRILBecca HatchMia WrayGut Health9lives
Best LP/EP
Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness (WINNER)RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inhale/ExhaleLime Cordiale – Enough of the Sweet TalkMissy Higgins – The Second ActAmy Shark – Sunday SadnessNick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Best Live Act
Amyl and the Sniffers (WINNER)Confidence ManTones and IDom DollaParkway DriveTeen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Readers’ Choice
Keli Holiday (WINNER)Radio Free AliceThelma PlumSPEEDPondGut HealthG FlipThe RionsDelta GoodremCrowded House
Rolling Stone Global Award
Dom Dolla (WINNER)Kylie MinogueAmyl and the SniffersConfidence ManNick Cave and the Bad SeedsEmpire of the Sun
It’s four years in a row for Taylor Swift, with the U.S. pop icon dominating Australia’s year-end charts once again, according to data published by ARIA
Swift has once more found her way to the top of the ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart, this time off the back of her massively-successful eleventh album, April’s The Tortured Poets Department. With results undeniably bolstered by her seven local shows as part of the record-setting Eras Tour, Swift is a constant presence in the year-end charts, making up 40% of the top ten.
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While The Tortured Poets Department sits at No. 1, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) appears at No. 5, with Lover at No. 7, and Midnights rounding it out at No. 10. Overall, she makes up 11% of the entire Top 100, with original or re-recorded versions of her entire discography (save for her self-titled debut) placed across the top 68 positions. Her 2014 album 1989 doubles up thanks to its original version placing at No. 68.
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It’s not a far cry from the results of last year either, where 1989 (Taylor’s Version) reigned supreme and was joined by the likes of The Weeknd, Morgan Wallen, SZA, and Harry Styles. In 2024, the top ten is rounded out by Billie Eilish‘s Hit Me Hard And Soft, Sabrina Carpenter‘s Short n’ Sweet, The Weeknd’s The Highlights, SZA’s SOS, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time, and Olivia Rodrigo‘s Guts.
The singles chart, however, belongs to U.S. singer-songwriter Benson Boone, whose “Beautiful Things” spent six weeks at No. 1 and has rarely been absent from the top ten since it first debuted. Boone’s success isn’t limited to Australia, with the track having topped numerous charts globally, and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” holds the silver medal position, with Carpenter’s “Espresso” closing out the podium finishes. Noah Kahan‘s “Stick Season” and Teddy Swims‘ “Lose Control” round out the top five, with Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather” following closely behind. Irish musician Hozier‘s “Too Sweet” prevents a clean sweep for American artists, however, with his single hitting No. 8.
Swift’s influence also extends to the Singles Chart, with 2019’s “Cruel Summer” hitting No. 9 off the back of its 2023 viral success and single release. Miley Cyrus‘ “Flowers”, which topped the chart last year, also makes a return appearance, albeit relegated to a respectable No. 39.
Of note, however, is the lack of Australian artists that make up the Albums and Singles Charts. In the latter category, just 5% are home-grown, with Vance Joy’s 2013 single “Riptide” leading the charge at No. 24. Cyril’s reimagining of Suzi Quatro’s “Stumblin’ In” can be found at No. 29, while DJ and producer Dom Dolla‘s “Saving Up” splits the field at No. 50. The Kid LAROI closes out the local representation with “Nights Like This” featuring at No. 84, and his 2021 Justin Bieber collaboration “Stay” in at No. 96.
The Albums Charts, however, boasts only three Australian names – with only one being a studio release. While South Australian veterans Cold Chisel can be found at No. 44 with their 50 Years – The Best Of compilation, so too can INXS‘ Diamond-certified The Very Best be located down at No. 81. The Kid LAROI is once again the only point of difference, with his debut album – 2023’s The First Time – hitting No. 67.
Check out ARIA’s year-end singles and albums charts.
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