Crowded House have received one of Australia's highest musical honours, with the group inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame last night.
The band, long fought over by Australia and New Zealand, who have both contributed members to the group, has received the honour after a 30-year career that spawned iconic tracks like 'Don't Dream It's Over', 'Better Be Home Soon', 'Fall At Your Feet and 'Something So Strong'.
"Counting the steps to the door of your heart." #ARIASCROWDEDHOUSE
— Crowded House (@CrowdedHouseHQ) November 23, 2016
(Thanks to Koji for the photo.) - Team CH. pic.twitter.com/y4o9mNMv08
Founding member Neil Finn was introduced to the stage by fellow New Zealanders Brett McKenzie and Jemaine Clement - better known as Flight of the Conchords.
The New Zealand comics announced that they were sent by the New Zealand government to stop the induction from happening.
"We really need Crowded House, our musical Hall of Fame is more of a Doorway of Fame. So stop it Australia," McKenzie joked.
#ARIAs @CrowdedHouseHQ inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame. pic.twitter.com/otRouWVtfZ
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) November 23, 2016
Holding up a double-sided page full of important names to remember, Finn paid tribute to family, friends, former band members including his brother Tim, as well as those among the band's record label EMI and all the crew that have backed up Crowded House over the years.
"Everybody that's been in a band or been on the road knows how important they are and how unsung they are most of the time … Thank you," he said.
Missy Higgins and Bernard Fanning then played tribute to Crowded House, before the band took to the stage for a rendition of 'Distant Sun', from their 1993 album Together Alone.
Flume cleans up
Electronic music producer Flume dominated the ARIA's 30th anniversary in Sydney, taking home five awards.
Chandelier songstress Sia Furler was named female artist of the year. There was a huge standing ovation as Angie Greene, a campaigner for marriage equality, took to the stage on her behalf.
Ms Greene said Sia had asked her to accept the award on behalf of "every single non-hetero and gender-diverse person, who can currently not marry the person that they love in this country".
The message was reinforced by Kylie Minogue and her finance Joshua Sasse, who urged Australia to say "I do" and said 2017 could be the year the country gets "back on the right side of history".
Troye Sivan earlier triumphed in the Song of the Year stakes, beating out Flume, Sia and Illy to pick up the coveted award for 'Youth'.
But it was Flume's night, with the artist winning the coveted Best Album and Best Male Artist awards for his second record Skin, and also taking home trophies in the dance, pop and independent release categories.
"I want to say a big thank you to the small venues and the small parties that are doing what they're doing, because that's where music evolves," Flume said as he accepted the Best Dance Release gong.
He also took aim at Sydney's controversial lock-out laws.
"To our policy-makers and our politicians, please keep Sydney open so that the young artists of the next generation can have the same opportunities that I had."
All the winners:
Album of the Year: Flume, for Skin
Song of the Year: Troye Sivan, for 'Youth'
Best Female Artist: Sia
Best Male Artist: Flume
Best Group: Violent Soho
Breakthrough Artist: Montaigne
Best International Artist: One Direction
Best Video: Troye Sivan for 'Youth' (Acoustic)
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Bernard Fanning, for Civil Dusk
Best Adult Alternative Album: Sarah Blasko for Eternal Return
Best Australian Live Act: The Hilltop Hoods
Best Blues and Roots Album: Russell Morris, for Red Dirt Red Heart
Best Children's Album: The Wiggles, for Wiggle Town
Best Country Album: Sara Storer for Silos
Best Dance Release: Flume for Skin
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard for Nonagon Infinity
Best Independent Release: Flume for Skin
Best Pop Release: Flume for Never Be Like You
Best Rock Album: Violent Soho for Waco
Best Urban Album: Drapht for Seven Mirrors
- ABC
