The shortlist for the 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards is here.
After revealing the awards longlist last week, our editorial team took on the formidable task of choosing the final six acts for four categories: Best New Artist, Best Single, Best LP/EP, and Best Live Act.
The Rolling Stone Global Award was again judged by Rolling Stone’s global staff to acknowledge the Australian act that has made impressive international strides, while the returning Readers’ Choice category was chosen by the most discerning critics of all, our readers.
The result is the shortlist below, which features a strong selection of international stars and rising talents.
As they did in the longlist, Dom Dolla, Thelma Plum, and our new cover stars Amyl and the Sniffers are leading the charge, racking up multiple nominations across key categories.
The Readers’ Choice category will be contested by an impressive variety of acts, from icons like Delta Goodrem and Crowded House (the latter being literal Rolling Stone Icons) to up-and-comers like hardcore crew SPEED and post-punk outfits Radio Free Alice and Gut Health.
The prestigious Rolling Stone Global Award, meanwhile, will go to one of six major Australian acts who have been shining on the world stage: Dom Dolla, Kylie Minogue, Amyl and the Sniffers, Confidence Man, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, or Empire of the Sun.
The 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards are set to take over the ivy in Sydney on April 9th, celebrating the artists who have defined the past year in Australian music.
With a night dedicated to outstanding talent, boundary-pushing creativity, and unforgettable performances, the awards continue to cement their place as a major milestone on the industry calendar.
Proudly presented by American Apparel, JMC, and Shure, this year’s event promises to be bigger, bolder, and louder than ever. From chart-topping superstars to underground innovators, the nominees represent the very best of Australia’s music scene – acts who are shaping the future of sound both at home and on the global stage.
More details on the 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards will be announced in due course, including performers, competitions, sponsors, and more.
2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards Shortlist
Best New Artist
3%
CYRIL
Becca Hatch
Mia Wray
Gut Health
9lives
Best Single
Amyl and the Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That”
Empire of the Sun – “Changes”
Dom Dolla – “girl$”
Thelma Plum – “Freckles”
CYRIL – “Stumblin’ in”
Baker Boy – “KING”
Best LP/EP
Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inhale/Exhale
Lime Cordiale – Enough of the Sweet Talk
Missy Higgins – The Second Act
Amy Shark – Sunday Sadness
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Best Live Act
Amyl and the Sniffers
Confidence Man
Tones and I
Dom Dolla
Parkway Drive
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Readers’ Choice
[Vote here until March 28th]
Radio Free Alice
Thelma Plum
SPEED
Pond
Gut Health
G Flip
The Rions
Delta Goodrem
Crowded House
Keli Holiday
Rolling Stone Global Award
Dom Dolla
Kylie Minogue
Amyl and the Sniffers
Confidence Man
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Empire of the Sun
