Not even a global pandemic will stop the ARIA Awards from going ahead this year, albeit with more of a socially-distanced format than intended.
Announced this morning, ARIA has revealed that its 2020 ARIA Awards, one again in partnership with YouTube Music, is set to take place on November 25th, with a few tweaks befitting of the current year. Held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney and broadcast around Australia on the Nine Network, no physical audience will be in attendance, though live performances will be broadcast via YouTube.
In a video accompanying this news, a slogan of “Through it all, music” is displayed, encapsulating the message that underpins the forthcoming event. Held in a year that has been challenging not only for the music industry, but the broader Australian community, the 2020 ARIA Awards take place following tragic bushfires and a global pandemic.
As such, ARIA’s COVID-safe award ceremony hopes to “celebrate the resilience, tenacity and strength of character of the music industry,” as per a press release.
“It has been a hugely challenging year for everyone around Australia and indeed the world,” explained ARIA Chief Executive Dan Rosen in a statement. “There is no doubt that our music industry has been impacted, first by the bushfires and then by the COVID-19 crisis, and ARIA has been working hard to ensure we are supporting Australia’s artists in their time of need.
“With this year’s ARIA Awards, we want to celebrate the resilience, strength, and camaraderie that our artists and the music industry have shown throughout 2020, and celebrate the successes of the Australian music industry, both locally and on the global stage. Australia’s music industry is a passionate and determined community, and we can’t wait to showcase that on this night of nights.”
The 2020 ARIA Awards Season Launch is set to be presented online in October, with the 2020 ARIA nominees also announced at the same time.
Meanwhile, Brooke Boney will present a special YouTube Premiere event on the ARIA YouTube channel, while the Fine Arts and Artisan ARIA Awards will now be awarded on the same day as the ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music, showcasing the country’s best talent in all categories on November 25th.
More information regarding the 2020 ARIA Award ceremony, including that of performers and presenters, is expected to be announced within the coming weeks.
