Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu share the lead with eight nominations each for the 2026 ARIA Awards, with Ecca Vandal close behind on seven nods. The announcement lands Thursday, Sept. 24, ahead of the ceremony’s 40th anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
Parker’s Record Year
Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala built its haul off Deadbeat, the band’s fifth studio album. The record houses “Dracula,” the psychedelic pop act’s biggest global hit, which has spent 18 weeks in the national top 10, peaking at No. 4. Tame Impala’s full slate includes album of the year, best solo artist, best pop release and best dance/electronic release.
Owusu’s Genre-Hopping Run
The Ghana-born, Canberra-raised artist Genesis Owusu has gathered seven ARIAs in swift succession. His third album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, was released earlier this year. Owusu’s work defies genre with a wizard’s touch across everything he undertakes, and now he sits among the nominees, competing for album of the year, best solo artist, best independent release and beyond.
The Seven-Nominee Field
Seven nominations come to Ecca Vandal’s second record Looking For People To Unfollow. Baker Boy, BOY SODA, G Flip, Miss Kaninna and Ninajirachi each earn five. Dom Dolla takes four, with Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium hosting him just hours later, a first for a homegrown DJ.
DMA’S and Troye Sivan each receive four nominations. The shortlist also includes iconic Australian artists Kylie Minogue, Paul Kelly, Keith Urban, Vika & Linda and Hilltop Hoods.
Voting Goes Live
For the first time ever, the four ARIAs categories decided by public vote — best Australian live act, song of the year, best video, and most popular international artist — have been built into Spotify. People can now place their daily votes right inside the app itself, with the voting period spanning from Sept. 24 through No. 9, operating on both Spotify and the official ARIA website.
Spotify AUNZ managing director Mikaela Lancaster said the partnership marked a milestone. “The 40th anniversary of the ARIA Awards is a milestone moment for Australian music, and we’re honored to be part of it as presenting partner.”
Herd on Copyright
Annabelle Herd, the CEO of ARIA, positioned the ceremony as a counterweight to foreign AI firms. “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 Broadcast Lineup
Spotify partners with Destination NSW to back the 2026 ARIA Awards, which streams live on Paramount+. The broadcast airs on 10, with performances and highlights later posted on the @ARIA.official YouTube channel.
| Artist | Nominations |
|---|---|
| Tame Impala | 8 |
| Genesis Owusu | 8 |
| Ecca Vandal | 7 |
| Baker Boy | 5 |
| G Flip | 5 |
| Miss Kaninna | 5 |
| Ninajirachi | 5 |
Here is how the top three acts rank:
- Tame Impala — eight nominations
- Genesis Owusu — eight nominations
- Ecca Vandal — seven nominations
The ceremony celebrates 40 years of Australian music. As ARIA puts it, “these records and these amazing artists represent the culmination of 40 years of Australian success in making great music that captures our unique voice and takes it global.”
Source material: “Tame Impala, Genesis Owusu Lead 2026 ARIA Awards Nominations: Full List,” Billboard.
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