2021 ARIA Awards to be hosted by Taronga Zoo for the first time

ARIA has revealed the incredible lineup of talent coming to the 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music which, for the first time, will be broadcast live from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo on Wednesday, 24th November.

Streamed across the world via YouTube, and broadcast on 9Now, the awards will feature an exclusive performance from The Kid LAROI, as well as performances from 2021’s two most nominated artists, Amy Shark and Genesis Owusu, alongside Budjerah, RÜFÜS DU SOL and Gretta Ray.

This year’s venue, Taronga Zoo, is Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo and is home to more than 4,000 animals from 350 unique species, many of which are endangered. Officially opened in 1916, Taronga Zoo aims to create conservation advocates that value wildlife, speak up for nature and take action to help create a future where both people and wildlife thrive.

Cameron Kerr AO, Chief Executive Taronga Zoo notes “Taronga Zoo is delighted to host this iconic event showcasing the very best of the Australian music talent and at the same time showcasing our world leading conservation led zoo on here on beautiful Cammeraigal Country."

Pop megastar Ed Sheeran will also appear in a special video tribute to the late Michael Gudinski (pictured above), where he will present the inaugural Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award.

The renamed award will honour the work and legacy of Michael Gudinski, Chairman of the Mushroom Group of Companies, and recognises his immense and irreplaceable contribution to signing, developing and championing Australian artists and music locally and internationally.

Artists signed to the Mushroom Group of labels who have won the former Best Breakthrough Artist Award include TheBadloves, Frente, George, Deni Hines, Ian Moss and Youth Group.

Joining the already huge lineup is a stacked bill of award presenters, including ARIA Award winners Troye Sivan, Ruel and Lime Cordiale, as well as Australian icons The Wiggles.

Annabelle Herd, ARIA Chief Executive enthused “we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to celebrate this incredible year of creativity, dedication and perseverance from our music industry with such an outstanding lineup of stars from home and abroad.

“It is, of course, another different year for the Awards and Australian music at large, but we’re very proud that it hasn’t stopped us from delivering the world-class event our industry deserves, and at the absolutely stunning Taronga Zoo no less. Thank you to everyone who has helped us to this point, we can’t wait to see you live from YouTube!”

Marion Briand, Manager, Music Content Partnerships (AU/NZ), YouTube adds “with an all-Aussie line-up of performances, the Awards will showcase our incredible home-grown talents - and we can’t wait to share these with people around the country and the world on YouTube.”

NSW Minister for Tourism, Industry and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres advised “The NSW Government is delighted to join ARIA in celebrating the tremendous talent and achievements of our music and recording industries at this year’s ARIA Awards, and what better way to showcase the convergence of culture and nature in NSW than by honouring our musical talent against the stunning backdrop of Sydney from Taronga Zoo. Events like this demonstrate the benefit of Government and industry partnering to create opportunities for our artists to get back on stage doing what they love and helping drive the recovery and growth of the NSW visitor economy.”

The 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music are supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW and will be broadcast live from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo on Cammeraigal land, starting 7.30pm AEDT Wednesday, 24th November.

Images from top: ARIA Awards to be broadcast from Taronga Zoo with performances by The Kid LAROI, Amy Shark and more; Taronga Zoo Sky Safari; the late Michael Gudinski