Snubs and Surprises at the 2023 ARIA Awards

The 2023 ARIA Awards are in the history books, and the winners’ pointy trophies are en route to their new homes, soon to be tucked away. Any bubbly spilled on the floors of Sydney’s Hordern Pavillion (or the various afterparties) has surely evaporated as the mercury climbs.

Held Wednesday Nov. 15, the ARIAs caps a busy year in music, and for its winners and nominees, a launch pad into the summer festivals and gig circuit.

Troye Sivan cleaned up with four awards, extending his career tally of ARIA wins to six. On Nov. 10, the international hitmaker received his first two Grammy nominations – best pop dance recording and best music video, both for “Rush.” The song reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in September. The Grammys will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024.

Genesis Owusu nailed another hat trick, converting three of seven ARIA nominations. Owusu wasn’t in the room, but he had a solid excuse: The Canberra native is touring the U.K. and Europe, reaching new audiences on the other side of the world – fulfilling the ambition of every artist whose name is called out on the Australian recording industry’s big night.

Though ratings were down, again, no one is sounding the alarm. After a period of socially distanced events, and a coolly received show last year at the same venue, this year’s ARIAs hit the right notes, at least according to many in attendance.

Here are the biggest snubs and surprises at the 2023 ARIA Awards.