Spacey Jane, Gang Of Youths, and Tash Sultana were among the winners at the 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards on Tuesday night (April 4), but the night belonged to the first-ever recipient of the Rolling Stone Icon Award, Tina Arena.
The awards, which saw the music industry gather in Sydney to celebrate the best of the best in Australian music, were hosted by Alex Dyson and featured performances from Arena and rising star Budjerah, who also teamed up for a surprise performance of Chains.
In her speech presenting Tina Arena with the first-ever Rolling Stone Icon Award, The Brag Media’s Editor in Chief, Poppy Reid, said: “Tina Arena is one of Australia’s highest-selling artists, she’s a once-in-a-generation talent, but more than that, she is an icon for young people everywhere.
“Her work comes from a place of love, it comes from obsession, and it shows in everything she does. From her music, to her activism, her feminism, her allyship and the way she fights the sickness in our society around ageism, to her using her platform to lift others up. She’s an inspiration to me and everyone I know.”
Further highlights over the evening saw the winners of each award category named, with categories including Best Single, Best Record, Best New Artist, the Rolling Stone Global Award and the Rolling Stone Readers’ Choice Award handed out to deserving recipients.
Fremantle rockers Spacey Jane claimed the award for Best Single, with Hardlight beating out the likes of acclaimed releases by Amy Shark, Courtney Barnett, Ruel, The Kid LAROI, and more to receive the honour. Hardlight, from the band’s ARIA #1 studio album Here Comes Everybody, ranked as the #3 track in triple j’s Hottest 100 Countdown of 2022.
A video acceptance from Caleb Harper of Spacey Jane thanked Rolling Stone for the recognition of the single, as well as “…all of our amazing team in Australia. We’re very very lucky to have you and we appreciate you every day.”
Meanwhile, Best Record was taken out by angel in realtime, the third studio album from Gang Of Youths. The record topped a field of stellar record releases from the likes of 5SOS, Spacey Jane, Parkway Drive, Julia Jacklin, Thelma Plum, Vance Joy and The Wiggles. The award caps off a huge year for the album, which was also nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album at the 2022 ARIA Awards, and took out Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards.
Accepting the award remotely on behalf of Gang Of Youths, frontman Dave Le’aupepe thanked everyone involved with the album as well as their friends and family. “Most of all I want to thank youse back in Australia for caring about a record that was made entirely to serve the memory of my father. This is for my dad as well, who taught me how to live,” he said.
Rising star Budjerah was on hand to take home Best New Artist after turning on a huge performance for the crowd, beating out a contingent of nominees including Blake Rose, Eliza & The Delusionals, James Johnston, Merci, Mercy, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.
The Readers’ Choice Award saw Sydney band Lime Cordiale emerge victorious for the coveted award voted exclusively by Rolling Stone Australia readers. “Thanks everyone, I thought we were up for ‘Most Popular’ award, but that’s okay. This is crazy, we’re really stoked, thanks everyone for everything,” Oli Leimbach said, accepting the award on the band’s behalf.
The Rolling Stone Global Award went to singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Tash Sultana, who beat household names including Alison Wonderland, Iggy Azalea, Keith Urban, Kylie Minogue, The Wiggles and Troye Sivan to the gong.
Accepting their award, Tash Sultana said: “I’ll keep it short and sweet, just like me. I was at the Rolling Stone Awards two years ago and it’s much better tonight! Next round’s on me… I’m joking, there’s a bar tab. Thanks very much!”
The latest issue of Rolling Stone AU/NZ, featuring Amy Shark on the cover, is out now.
2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners:
Rolling Stone Icon Award
Winner: Tina Arena
Best Single
Winner: Spacey Jane – “Hardlight”
Amy Shark – “Only Wanna Be With You”
Budjerah – “Ready for the Sky”
Courtney Barnett – “Rae Street”
Keith Urban – “Brown Eyes Baby”
Ruel – “Growing up is ___”
The Kid LAROI – “Thousand Miles”
Vance Joy – “Clarity”
Best New Artist
Winner: Budjerah
Blake Rose
Eliza & The Delusionals
Forest Claudette
James Johnston
Lara D
Merci, Mercy
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Best Record
Winner: Gang of Youths – angel in realtime
5 Seconds of Summer – 5SOS5
Julia Jacklin – Pre Pleasure
Parkway Drive – Darker Still
Spacey Jane – Here Comes Everybody
The Wiggles – ReWiggled
Thelma Plum – Meanjin
Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time
Rolling Stone Global Award
Winner: Tash Sultana
Alison Wonderland
Gang Of Youths
Iggy Azalea
Keith Urban
Kylie Minogue
Rüfüs Du Sol
The Wiggles
Tones And I
Troye Sivan
Vance Joy
Rolling Stone Readers’ Choice Award
Winner: Lime Cordiale
Boy & Bear
CXLOE
Daniel Johns
Ruby Fields
San Cisco
Teenage Dads
The Chats
The Wiggles
Tones And I