From Billboard · Lars Brandle · · 3m
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu Lead 2026 ARIA Awards Nominations
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu each earn eight nominations for the 40th ARIA Awards, setting the stage for a record-breaking ceremony.
In brief
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu each earn eight nominations for the 40th ARIA Awards, setting the stage for a record-breaking ceremony. Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu lead the 2026 ARIA Awards nominations with eight each, highlighting Australian music's global reach. Originally reported by Billboard.
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu Lead Nominations
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu each earn eight nominations for the 40th annual ARIA Awards, with Ecca Vandal close behind at seven.
“With eight nominations each, Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu head the pack for the 40th annual ARIA Awards, while Ecca Vandal is close behind with seven chances.”
Tame Impala's Recent Success
Kevin Parker's Tame Impala, winner of 13 career ARIA Awards, releases its fifth studio album Deadbeat with a global hit, Dracula, peaking at No. 4.
“The winner of 13 career ARIA Awards, Kevin Parker's Tame Impala is basking in the afterglow of his fifth studio album, Deadbeat. The 2025 effort houses the psychedelic pop act's biggest global hit, "Dracula," which has logged 18 weeks in the national top 10, peaking at No. 4.”
Genesis Owusu's Genre-Defying Artistry
Genesis Owusu, a Ghana-born, Canberra-raised artist, collects seven ARIAs after releasing his third album REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE.
“Genesis Owusu is a genre-defying artist with a wizard's touch on everything he tackles, a talent that has seen him collect seven ARIAs in quick time. Following the release earlier this year of his third album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, the Ghana-born, Canberra-raised artist scoops nominations for album of the year, best solo artist, best independent release and more.”
Ecca Vandal and Other Nominees
Ecca Vandal secures seven nominations for her sophomore album Looking For People To Unfollow, while Baker Boy, BOY SODA, G Flip, Miss Kaninna and Ninajirachi each bag five.
“The annual event promises to be a blinder for Ecca Vandal, who soaks up seven nominations for her sophomore album Looking For People To Unfollow, while Baker Boy, BOY SODA, G Flip, Miss Kaninna and Ninajirachi each bag five nominations.”
Dom Dolla's Historic Nomination
Dom Dolla, an electronic music star, earns four nominations for the first time as a homegrown DJ playing at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
“Just hours before Dom Dolla plays Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, a first for a homegrown DJ, the electronic music star snags four ARIA Award nominations.”
ARIA CEO Announces Winners
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd highlights the 40th anniversary of Australian music and the global impact of the awards.
“"We could not be more thrilled with this list of nominees to celebrate 40 years of Australian music and incredible human artistry," comments ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd.”
Spotify Integration for Public Voting
Spotify integrates four publicly-voted ARIA categories into its platform, enabling fans to cast daily votes from Sept. 24 to No. 9.
“The four publicly-voted ARIAs categories will again be integrated into Spotify, enabling fans to cast daily votes directly within the app. Public-voting runs for those categories, best Australian live act, song of the year, best video, and most popular international artist, is open from Sept. 24 to No. 9 across Spotify and the official ARIA website.”
Spotify's Commitment to Australian Artists
Spotify AUNZ managing director Mikaela Lancaster emphasizes global amplification for Australian artists through in-app voting and curated editorial.
“"In year one, we set out to bring fans closer to the artists they love and help their music travel further, and we saw that come to life through record in-app voting, curated editorial across Spotify and our social channels, and greater global exposure for nominees," comments Spotify AUNZ managing director Mikaela Lancaster.”
2026 ARIA Awards Ceremony Details
The 2026 ARIA Awards will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, with live broadcasts on Paramount+ and 10.
“The ARIAs, the Australian recorded music industry's flagship awards ceremony, will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.”
ARIA's Focus on Copyright Protection
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd links the awards to the fight against foreign AI companies' copyright law threats.
“"As we continue to fight against the relentless assault on our copyright laws by foreign AI companies," explains ARIA's Herd, "this year's ARIA Awards are a powerful moment to recognize the enduring power of music to give meaning to the human experience, connect Australians through our own stories and inspire us to feel truly alive. Congratulations to all the 2026 nominees."”
2026 ARIA Awards Supported by Partners
The 2026 ARIA Awards is supported by Destination NSW, in partnership with Spotify, and will be live on Paramount+ and broadcast on 10.
“The 2026 ARIA Awards is supported by Destination NSW, in partnership with Spotify, and will be live on Paramount+ and broadcast on 10.”
Full Nominations List
The full list of 2026 ARIA Award nominations includes album of the year, best solo artist, best pop release, and best dance/electronic release categories.
“2026 ARIA AWARDS Nominations: Album of the Year BOY SODA, Soulstar [Warner Music Australia] DMA'S, DMA'S [Wonderlick Recording Company / Sony Music] Ecca Vandal, Looking For People to Unfollow [Loma Vista Recordings / Concord] Genesis Owusu, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE [Ourness / Believe] Tame Impala, Deadbeat [Columbia Records / Sony Music]”
Public Voting Categories
Public-voted ARIA categories include best Australian live act, song of the year, best video, and most popular international artist.
“The four publicly-voted ARIAs categories will again be integrated into Spotify, enabling fans to cast daily votes directly within the app. Public-voting runs for those categories, best Australian live act, song of the year, best video, and most popular international artist, is open from Sept. 24 to No. 9 across Spotify and the official ARIA website.”
Song of the Year Contenders
Song of the Year contenders include Tame Impala's Dracula, The Kid LAROI's A COLD PLAY, and Vance Joy's Divine Feelings.
“Song of the Year FISHER, Blackberries [etcetc Music Pty Ltd] G Flip, Bed on Fire [AWAL Recordings] Keli Holiday, Dancing2 [GROUP SPEED] Lithe, Cannonball [10K / ADA] Ocean Alley, Love Balloon [Independent / Community Music] Royel Otis, car [Ourness / Capitol Records] Sonny Fodera, Think About Us [Solotoko / ADA] Tame Impala, Dracula [Columbia Records / Sony Music] The Kid LAROI, A COLD PLAY [Columbia Records / Sony Music] Vance Joy, Divine Feelings [Mushroom Music]”
Most Popular International Artist
Most Popular International Artist contenders include Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Olivia Rodrigo.
“Most Popular International Artist BTS, ARIRANG [Virgin Music Group / Geffen] Ed Sheeran, Play [Atlantic Records / Warner Music Australasia] Harry Styles, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally [Columbia / Sony Music] Morgan Wallen, I'm The Problem [Universal Music International / Universal Music Australia] Noah Kahan, The Great Divide [Universal Music International / Universal Music Australia] Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving [Universal Music International / Universal Music Australia] Olivia Rodrigo, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love [Geffen / Universal Music Australia] Sabrina Carpenter, Man's Best Friend [Island Records / Universal Music Australia] sombr, I Barely Know Her [Warner Records / Warner Music Australasia] Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]”
2026 ARIA Awards Ceremony Impact
The 2026 ARIA Awards will celebrate Australian music's global influence and resilience against copyright threats.
“As we continue to fight against the relentless assault on our copyright laws by foreign AI companies, this year's ARIA Awards are a powerful moment to recognize the enduring power of music to give meaning to the human experience, connect Australians through our own stories and inspire us to feel truly alive.”
The short version
Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu lead the 2026 ARIA Awards nominations with eight each, highlighting Australian music's global reach.
