As well as the international star performances, the line-up from homegrown stars will include  Sia, Tame Impala, Lime Cordiale, Sampa The Great, Amy Shark and Archie Roach, who will be given the ‘ARIA Hall of Fame’ award on the evening.

In 2019, Billie had the highest selling album with, ‘When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ which earnt her a double platinum selling status in the ARIA chart, along with seven singles in the Top 5 of the charts. According to ARIA, her streams top 1.27 billion in Australia.

Speaking to Radio 1 about the follow up to her record breaking 2019 album, The List noted Billie to of said, “It’s my favourite piece of art work ever. It’s been very pleasant and satisfying and I’m so excited for people to hear this album.”  Her latest music was recorded in lockdown with her brother Finneas, which allegedly she has her mother to thank, for encouraging their creativity.

The List reported Billie to of said, “A month into quarantine we were completely uninspired. My mum was like, ‘What if you guys made a schedule? Just like three days a week, making sure you have time put aside so you can work’. And we did it, and on the first day we wrote ‘my future’. The first day. We made more than we’ve ever made in one period.”

Having won four Grammy’s, three BRIT Awards, an Oscar and a Golden Globe award, Sam Smith has also become a huge star in Australia. His album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ hit Number 1 in the ARIA charts in 2015 and collectively, his albums have peaked in the Top 3 of the charts. MSN.com have reported him to of said, “Australia has always held such a special place in my heart, and I am so honoured to be a part of this year’s ARIA Awards.”

Sam recently released his third album ‘Love Goes’ based on his recent breakdown in his relationship, which due to the pandemic was released six months later than originally planned. He said to NME, “I am sorry it’s taken a while,  but these unprecedented times gave me the room and space to fall in love with these songs all over again… After it all, I still believe love is the answer. And with love in our hearts and kindness in our words and actions, we sing on.”

The ARIA awards will take place at The Star Event Centre in Sydney for it’s 34th edition on 25th November. Due to an ongoing partnership, YouTube will be streaming the performances and Nine Network will be broadcasting the show on their free network across Australia.

Nick Seymour (bass) said in a statement:

“I am excited to announce two encore performances on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. The shows will mark the 20th anniversary of our break-up concert. ‘Proper order!’ I say, as being at the top of our game, I didn’t want to break up in the first place! I’ve come to realise the ‘top of our game’ is whenever we get together so please join us for a fuck-off sing-song, an off-piste jam session, a toast to absent friends and NO RAIN.”

Crowded House are also to re-release their six studio albums including a ‘rarities’ album in all formats. Neil Finn (vocalist/guitarist) said:

“We are thrilled all seven of our albums are about to be reissued in all formats including vinyl, each one accompanied by a rich trove of rarities including writing demos and other unreleased musical curiosities, as well as new original artwork from my dear friend Nick Seymour.”

“This has been many years in the making with much of the exhaustive listening, editing and remixing being done by the keeper of knowledge Jeremy Ansell in Auckland.

“It has been a labour of love for us and our mission all along was making a superlative quality, definitive document of Crowded House’s unique history for all the fans who have given us their affection over the years.”

On top of this, Crowded House will also be inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame at the Aria Awards (Australian Record Industry Association) to add to their eleven achieved since their eponymous debut album in 1986. Highlights include winning awards for Best New Talent in 1987 and Best Group in 1988.

This ‘encore’ tour will be performed on 25 and 26 November: tickets will go on sale on 26 September. See more here about how to obtain tickets to both the concert and the Aria Awards. Crowded House were formed in Melbourne in 1985. Watch ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ below: