Exclusive Gallery: Backstage Pass - ARIAS 2007

By The Shambles
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Without doubt, the ARIAs have become the Awards event on the Australian calender. Since Roving Enterprises took over the production side of things almost six years ago, our national Music Awards Cermemoney has been classy, cool - and unlike The Logies - without once scent of cheesiness.

In short - it's one of the few places the music industries coolest can get together and party! And our very own Web Wombat reporters, The Shambles, were front row centre!

2007 has been a good year for Aussie music, with sales and downloads of Aussie artists at a record high. From the long awaited comeback of Silverchair and Powderfinger, to the indie success of Gotye and Sneaky Sound System - this year's event was always going to be something special.

Delta Goodrem was back, as was recovering alcoholic Keith Urban (oh, and that wife of his...Nicole someone?). The kids from Operator Please were showing the new batch of young Australian Idols just how far real talent can get you. And of course, Phil from Grinspoon was being...well ... Phil from Grinspoon (so much for rehab!).

In front of a capacity crowd of fans and industry heavyweights at Sydney’s Acer Arena, the 2007 ARIA Award winners were announced, serving up yet another batch of eclectic winners in a year of big music releases. The honourees include Web Wombat favourite Gotye, Sneaky Sound System, Operator Please, Josh Pyke, Sarah Blasko, The John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Keith Urban and more.

It was a star-studded night featuring performances by some of the biggest names in the business, it was like attending the ultimate gig! Just think - Powderfinger, Missy Higgins, Sneaky Sound System, Gotye, Kate Miller-Heidke and Operator Please all performing in a once-in-a-lifetime situation.

There were the standouts, most notably the electric performance by relative unknown Kate Miller-Heidke (who simply tore the roof off the venue - something which didn't seem to come across on the TV coverage) - with her song Words) accompanied by some supreme 'Pop-And-Locking' dancing kids from Billy Elliot.

John Butler and Keith Urban came together for an excitement filled one off performance of The John Butler Trio's Funky Tonight, which had everyone on their feet.

And who could deny the sheer enjoyment of seeing "It" kid, Gotye, perform the boppy Learnalilgivinanlovin' complete with mini orchestra and raining balloons!

But the night belonged to comeback kids Silverchair, who took out an astonishing (and record breaking) five Awards for their long awaited album "Young Modern", their first release in more than five years. The Newcastle trio took home 'Single of the Year (Straight Lines)', 'Best Group', 'Best Rock Album (Young Modern)' and the coveted 'Highest Selling Single (Straight Lines)'...and that pesky 'Album of the Year' award was taken home by Johns as well!

John Butler took home two Awards for their album "Grand National", while the increasingly popular (and heavily 'chemically enduced') independent dance trio Sneaky Sound System won two Awards for their self-titled album.

The tiny kids from Operator Please were awarded the 'Breakthrough Artist' award for the stupidly catchy Just A Song About Ping Pong - while the multi talented Melbourne based musician Gotye (aka Wally de Backer), took home his first ever Aria for 'Best Male Artist'. But don't worry - as this is certain to be the first of many!

Missy Higgins (who looked simply gorgous all night) did it for the girls, taking home 'Best Female Artist' for the second time in her carreer for her album "On A Clear Night".

Sydney based indie star, Josh Pyke, surprised many by taking home a swag of awards (as well as the awards for most neatly trimmed beard) including the 'Best Adult Contemporary Album' for "Memories and Dust".

Rounding out the winners were The Wiggles for 'Best Children's Album', The Hilltop Hoods for 'Best Urban Release', Dave Hughes beat out hot contenders Lano & Woodley for the 'Best Comedy Release', Rock veterans You Am I added another ARIA award to its collection, while Nick Cave was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame joining Radio Birdman, Hoodoo Gurus, Brian Cadd, Marcia Hines.

But the big question is....what was the gossip?

Well, there was plenty of talk surrounding Nicole Kidman's face (or more specifically, the lack of movement of it), Ricky Lee's 'Wardrobe Malfunction' (the video of which will be posted on this site very soon!) as she was recording the opening song for the Red Carpet coverage, as well as the severe lack of inventiveness from The Chaser lads who were interestingly rather subdued.

However, the biggest scandal was the news that pop couple Dean Geyer and The Veronicas' Lisa Origliassos were 'No Longer an Item'. However, that didn't seem to be the case from where we were standing.

On several occasions leading up to Lisa's performance on the Red Carpet stage, Dean and the pint sized starlet were seen looking more than a little cosy backstage.

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