The 2008 ARIA Awards were held overnight in Sydney, with much fun and frivolity, many star performances and much ado about something.  Or should that be, someone…

Proved wrong: there’s something sweet about Cilmi

A massive six ARIA’s were taken out by 17 year old popstar Gabriella Cilmi, one for each of her nominations.

They were Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Breakthrough Artist Album.  As well, her hit single “Sweet About Me” receiving Highest Selling Single, Breakthrough Artist Single and Single of the Year.

Seems there’s no way to go but up for Gabriella!

The Presets “My People” now “Our People”

Sydney’s electronic duo, The Presets were close behind, winning some of the night’s biggest awards: Best Group and Album of the Year for Apocalypso – as well as Best Dance Release.

They also received two ARIA Artisan Awards (Producer of the Year and Best Cover Art).

Their onstage performance (in full costume) showed just why they’re doing so well. Great work boys!

Other ARIA’s go to…

Check out full winners details on the ARIA website

They included:

• Extremely gifted indigenous artist, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu added two ARIA’s to his credit (read more about Gurrumul here)
• The Living End’s comeback record proved perfect pitch and timing
• Casey Chambers added yet another ARIA to her mantle piece
• Previous year dominators, Powderfinger and Silverchair didn’t miss out, with Best Music DVD

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It’s almost that time again.  When the music industry ‘dons their best outfits and provides us with much entertainment (on and off screen) for the ARIA Awards.

The nominations have been announced.  Someone always seems to dominate the awards -and this year it’s Gabriella Cilmi’s turn.  She has been nominated for the most awards – 6 in total!  Gabriella is up for:

• Single of the Year
• Best female artist
• Best breakthrough artist – album
• Best breakthrough artist – single
• Best pop release
• Highest selling single

Wow!  Well done.

Sam Sparra is close – with a massive 5 nominations!

My favourite award categories are:

• Best Independent Release: Ben Lee, Midnight Juggernauts, British India, Lior & Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu
• Best Urban: Bliss n Esso, The Herd, Muph & Plutonic, Katalyst & Spit Syndicate

Then – as usual – there are a few names that also come up across other multiple categories like Best Band, Best Single, Best Rock Album etc, which is testiment to the reactions their causing in the music industry at the moment  – names like The Presets, The Living End and Nick Cave all receiving a few nominations.

If you want to check out all the news for yourself, head across to the ARIA Awards website

Tickets are on sale to the general public – or we can all watch the frivolity on TV on Sunday, 19 October.