As the calendar inched toward the close of 2025, two continents lit up with the glitz and glamour of their biggest musical celebrations: the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville and the ARIA Awards in Sydney. These back-to-back spectacles, staged on November 19 and 20, offered a window into the evolving state of popular music—one rooted in tradition, the other pulsing with innovation and diversity. Together, they gave fans a reason to cheer, reflect, and maybe even dance a little in their living rooms.
In Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the 59th annual Country Music Association Awards unfolded with a familiar face at the center of it all. Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed, and barely left the stage, emerged as the night’s undeniable star. According to the Associated Press, Wilson clinched the top prize of entertainer of the year, besting heavyweights like Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen. It was a repeat of sorts from 2023, but Wilson’s momentum only seemed to gather steam. "It takes a village," she told the crowd in her acceptance speech, before adding with a grin, "We about to party."
Wilson’s trophy haul didn’t stop there. She also nabbed album of the year for her record Whirlwind—her second career win in that category—and took home her fourth female vocalist of the year award. As she celebrated, Wilson couldn’t resist a pointed message for those who try to sow discord among women in the industry. "For the folks that are sitting at home, in your mama’s basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other," she said, "Y’all need to find something better to do." The crowd roared its approval, echoing a sentiment that’s resonated across genres in recent years.
But Wilson wasn’t the only one making headlines. The night belonged to a chorus of new and established voices. Ella Langley and Riley Green’s retro-tinged duet "You Look Like You Love Me" swept both single and song of the year. "This song is the gift that keeps on giving," Langley remarked, while Green marveled, "How cool is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year." Their surprise was palpable, reflecting country’s willingness to embrace both tradition and experimentation.
Legendary figures also took their turn in the spotlight. Vince Gill, whose career has spanned decades and genres, received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was presented by George Strait, who declared, "His guitar playing is amazing. His songwriting is amazing. His singing is amazing." Gill, ever the joker, quipped about his high vocal tone and added, "I might be the only person to win the award that’s never smoked any weed," a playful nod to his friend Nelson.
Brooks & Dunn, no strangers to the winner’s circle, claimed vocal duo of the year for the 16th time. Kix Brooks summed up the sentiment with a laugh: "I heard earlier tonight, ‘Man, y’all ever get sick of this?’ Hell no!" Meanwhile, Cody Johnson celebrated his first male vocalist of the year win, and Zach Top—after performing his ode to six-strings, "Guitar"—was named new artist of the year. "I can’t remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not," Top joked, beer in hand, before taking a celebratory swig.
The night’s performances were as varied as the winners. From Luke Combs’ fiery opener to Wilson’s medley with surprise guests like Little Big Town and Keith Urban, the show was a testament to country’s collaborative spirit. Other highlights included sets from Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, The Red Clay Strays, and Kenny Chesney, while Old Dominion worked through a fan-favorite medley from a stage set amid the audience. Not to be outdone, Shaboozey and rapper BigXThaPlug brought a dose of genre-blending energy, with Combs joining the Texas MC for their duet "Pray Hard," signaling country’s growing embrace of cross-genre partnerships.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion pulsed with excitement as the ARIA Awards celebrated the best in Australian music. The sold-out event, co-hosted by Tim Blackwell, Concetta Caristo, and Latifa Tee, with Georgie Tunny and Angela Bishop covering the red carpet, was a who’s who of the Aussie music scene. According to The Nightly, Amyl and The Sniffers were the night’s big winners, scooping up Album of the Year, Best Group, and Best Rock Album. Their frontwoman, Amy Taylor, summed up the mood: "Thank you, what a massive night."
Ninajirachi, who led the field with eight nominations thanks to her debut album I Love My Computer, took home Best Solo Artist and Best Independent Release, marking a breakthrough for electronic music at the ARIAs. The Kid Laroi, a global sensation, clinched Song of the Year, cementing his status as one of Australia’s most influential young artists.
The stage was alive with performances from both local and international stars. British singer Olivia Dean dazzled with "Man I Need," while homegrown acts like G Flip, Keli Holiday, Kita Alexander, Missy Higgins, and Thelma Plum kept the energy high. Missy Higgins also won Best Adult Contemporary Album and delivered a heartfelt rendition of "A complicated truth." The ARIA for Best Australian Live Act went to Troye Sivan, who couldn’t attend but sent a video message from Los Angeles: "It’s amazing, thank you so much. I’m sad I’m not there as it’s always a fun night."
One of the evening’s most emotional moments came with the induction of You Am I into the ARIA Hall of Fame. The rock legends, fronted by Tim Rogers, have long been a staple of Australian music, and their induction placed them alongside icons like Yothu Yindi, Kylie Minogue, and John Farnham. The band closed the night with a rousing set, as Rogers—decked out in a glitzy floral shirt and purple vest—led the crowd in a celebration of their decades-long career.
The ARIA Awards, like the CMAs, were as much about honoring past achievements as they were about pointing toward the future. The Kid Laroi’s win, Ninajirachi’s breakthrough, and Amyl and The Sniffers’ dominance all signaled a new era for Australian music, one that’s increasingly global and genre-fluid. The event’s hosts and performers reflected the diversity and creativity that’s become the hallmark of the nation’s music scene.
Both ceremonies, broadcast live on major networks (ABC for the CMAs, with streaming on Hulu the next day), underscored the enduring power of music to unite, inspire, and challenge. Whether it was Lainey Wilson’s defiance, Vince Gill’s humility, or Amy Taylor’s exuberance, the message was clear: music is a living, breathing force, shaped by its past but always looking ahead. For fans on both sides of the world, there was plenty to celebrate—and even more to anticipate.
