Last night’s ARIA awards were a win for ‘indie’ music in Australia. A night where the critical met the commercial. Well, for the most part.

Courtney Barnett and Tame Impala shared 3 gongs each. Barnett rightly won Breakthrough Artist after a truly barnstorming year in which her debut release, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I just Sit, conquered the globe.

Impala won the coveted, Telstra Album of the Year (the Oscar’s equivalent of Best Film) for 3^rd album, Currents although public speaking is definitely NOT one of Kevin Parker’s strengths.

The live performances were all solid too, particularly from Hermitude, Peking Duk and Flight Facilities. Australian legend, Tina Arena was inducted into the Hall of Fame but, with all due respect, her acceptance speech could’ve been cut a WHOLE lot shorter.

On a more personal note, I have to sincerely congratulate Vance Joy aka James Keogh on winning his first ARIA for Best Male Artist. Being an ex-St Kevin’s boy, I’m very proud to see both Vance and Chet Faker doing so well. A shout-out must also go to drummer, Ed White, for being James’ ‘creative wingman’ as he aptly put it. Congrats guys!

Here is the full list of Award Recipients for the 2015 ARIAs:

Best Australian Live Act: 5 Seconds of Summer – Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Oh Mercy – When We Talk About Love

Best Blues and Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo

Best Children’s Album: Sam Moran – Play Along With Sam: Boo!

Best Comedy Release: Matt Okine – Live at the Enmore Theatre

Best Video: The Veronicas – ‘You Ruin Me’

Best Country Album: Shane Nicholson – Hell Breaks Loose

Best Dance Release: Rufus – ‘You Were Right’

Breakthrough Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Best Female Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Best Group: Tame Impala – Currents

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Node

Best Independent Release: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Best International Artist: One Direction – Four

Best Male Artist: Vance Joy – Dream Your Life Away

Best Pop Release: Jarryd James – ‘Do You Remember?

Best Rock Album: Tame Impala – Currents

Best Urban Album: Seth Sentry – Strange New Past

Outstanding Achievement Award: Lee Kernaghan – Spirit of the ANZACS

Song of the Year: Conrad Sewell – ‘Start Again’

Telstra Album of the Year: Tame Impala – Currents

Hall of Fame Inductee: Tina Arena