The host and performers for the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards have been revealed.
The 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards are set to take over the ivy in Sydney on Wednesday, April 9th, celebrating the artists who have defined the past year in Australian music.
Hosting the night is Nic Kelly, best-known as host of the Hit Network’s national night show, The Hot Hits with Nic & Loren. A passionate advocate for Australian music, Kelly has over a decade of experience in the music industry, including launching Night High Records in collaboration with EMI.
“It is an absolute dream to be hosting the Rolling Stone Awards — celebrating the fact that despite all the challenges, the music we’re making and the incredible artists behind it are unstoppable,” he says. “From game-changers to fresh superstars, the night honours the artists shaping our sound and making an impact both domestically and far beyond our shores.
“The talent coming out of Australia right now is next-level, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of a night that puts them front and centre… though I’m aware of the challenge in front of me of wrangling the rowdiest room in Australian music!”
Iconic Australian rockers ICEHOUSE will perform at the ceremony, 48 years after they first formed as Flowers in Sydney in 1977. Since then, ICEHOUSE have enjoyed great chart success in Europe, the US and, of course, Australia, releasing acclaimed albums like 1982’s Platinum-selling Primitive Man. Iva Davies and his bandmates were recognised for their distinguished career with induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Joining them in performing is rising star Becca Hatch. The former Triple J Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative winner (2017) enjoyed a stellar career year in 2024, opening for British singer Mahalia on the Australian leg of her world tour and performing two shows with Coldplay in Sydney.
Closing out the ceremony is hip-hop supergroup 3%, who enjoyed a huge breakout year in 2024. Their debut album, Kill the Dead, earned the trio multiple ARIA nominations, as well as a rare five-star review by Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
“If a debut album is meant to be a statement of intent, Kill the Dead, by Blak music collective 3%, is a rallying call to attention… The spirit that weaves throughout this album is natural; the chemistry between the members of 3% striking for a group that has only been together a short period of time. Timing is everything, and the connection between these artists feels perfectly aligned — this is music that has never been more relevant, or needed,” we wrote.
The 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards are set to be the biggest yet, with a hotly contested field of incredible award nominees. We revealed the awards shortlist earlier this month, with Dom Dolla, Thelma Plum, and our new cover stars Amyl and the Sniffers leading the charge, racking up multiple nominations across key categories.
The Readers’ Choice Award, meanwhile, is still open to voters, who can select their favourite local act out of Radio Free Alice, Thelma Plum, SPEED, Pond, Gut Health, G Flip, The Rions, Delta Goodrem, Keli Holiday, and last year’s Rolling Stone Icon Award recipient Crowded House.
Neil Griffiths, Editor-in-Chief at Rolling Stone AU/NZ publisher Vinyl Media, shares: “With this year’s Rolling Stone Awards, we want to platform and spotlight our local artists that deserve to be celebrated.
“Whether it’s acts like Dom Dolla, Amyl and the Sniffers, and RÜFÜS DU SOL who are waving the flag internationally, homegrown favourites like Missy Higgins, or burgeoning stars in the making like 3%, Mia Wray, and Gut Health, this year’s nominees prove that the music being produced in Australia right now is up there with the best globally.”
The annual awards proudly welcomes back several key sponsors, with American Apparel headline partner for the first time, alongside sponsors Shure and JMC Academy.
