ARIA Awards to go ahead in November with no live audience
Despite Covid-19 lockdown restrictions still in place in some states, the 2020 ARIA Awards will go ahead in November, with many of the nominees and winners corresponding with one another via video-link.
While both the Logie Awards and Helpmann Awards were cancelled earlier in the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the ARIAs have opted for a ‘show must go on’ mentality.
The ARIAs 2020 will feature live presentations and performances on stage at The Star in Sydney – but with no audience – along with pre-recorded segments from nominees and pre-notified winners. The awards will air on Channel Nine at a time to be announced.
“We always intended to do something,” said ARIA chief executive Dan Rosen, “we just had to consider what the scenario would be.”
“One thing [this past] year has demonstrated is that music and musicians have been such an important way for us all to cope and get through these challenging times. These awards will emphasise that.”
Nominations will be announced through a ‘season launch’ event via YouTube Premiere, and will be hosted on the ARIA YouTubechannel.
The Australian music industry – like most entertainment fields – has been hard-hit by the effects of Covid-19 over the past nine months, reporting a loss of income of more than $340million.
And with restrictions still tight in New South Wales – one of the biggest exporters of Australian music – it looks like those losses will only add up by year end.
The restrictions have also meant a lack of actual studio recordings and on-stage performances, meaning the numbers of nominations this year looks like being tight or at least, limited.
In order to promote Australian music, ARIA has partnered with the NSW Government to create a new music event, Great Southern Nights, which will bring 1,000 Covid-safe gigs to Sydney and regional NSW. For more information about Great Southern Nights, visit www.greatsouthernnights.com.au.
Nominations for the ARIA awards will be announced throughout October and the ceremony to be held on November 25th.
Antonino Tati
CREAM MAGAZINE 
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