Amyl and the Sniffers, Dom Dolla Among Winners at 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards

Globetrotting rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, acclaimed producer Dom Dolla, and Indigenous hip-hop supergroup 3% were all among the winners on Wednesday night (April 9) at the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards.

Handed out at the Ivy in Sydney, the awards were hosted by radio host and passionate Australian music lover Nic Kelly, with some of the country’s most prominent and revered names in contention at this year’s event.

Amyl and the Sniffers led the pack, taking home two awards on the night. In the best LP/EP category, their third studio album Cartoon Darkness beat out the likes of RÜFÜS DU SOL, Amy Shark, Missy Higgins, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, while their win as best live act saw them triumph over Tones and I, Parkway Drive, Confidence Man, and Dom Dolla.

While Dolla couldn’t attend the awards physically, he didn’t go home empty-handed. Despite three nominations, he only emerged victorious in one category, with the Rolling Stone global award seeing him beat out a talented range of nominees, including Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, and Amyl and the Sniffers.

“I’m absolutely shattered I can’t be there tonight to accept the Global Award, but very fitting considering the title of the award that I’m touring in America,” said Dolla, who will also headline the opening night of Bonnaroo alongside Luke Combs this June. “Thank you so much for considering me and for the award!”

Meanwhile, Indigenous Australian artists also took out two major categories at the event. For best single, Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator, Thelma Plum was recognized for her 2024 track “Freckles,” while best new artist was awarded to 3%, a hip-hop supergroup comprising Angus Field, Nooky and Dallas Woods. Their debut album, Kill the Dead, had previously won best hip-hop/rap release at the 2024 ARIA Awards.

For the readers’ choice category, Keli Holiday (who is also known as Adam Hyde from ARIA Award-winning electronic duo Peking Duk) took out the honor, with the hotly-contested category seeing him triumph over names such as Pond, Gut Health, SPEED, Delta Goodrem, and Crowded House, who were the recipients of 2024’s ‘Icon’ award.

This year, it was ICEHOUSE who were given ‘Icon’ status, with frontman Iva Davies on hand to share an acceptance speech.

“Thank you very much indeed, an amazing thanks to Rolling Stone, incredibly unexpected, I have to say,” Davies said in a speech. “I’ll name one person here tonight, the co-founder of Flowers and Icehouse bass player, Keith Walsh. Also, all the former members of the crew, and a special shout out to the man who put this all together, our production manager who has been working with us since 1986 – Mr Larry Ponting. Thanks for having us here.”

Icehouse first formed in Sydney as Flowers in 1977, issuing their debut album Icehouse in 1980 before adopting the name from then on. The record hit No. 4 in Australia, and No. 82 on the Billboard 200, while fifth album – 1987’s Man of Colours – hit the top of Australian charts and peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. That record also boasted some of the group’s biggest internationally-successful singles, with “Electric Blue” and “Crazy” hitting No. 7 and 14 on the Hot 100, respectively.

In 2006, the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, while 1982 single “Great Southern Land” has often been considered an unofficial national anthem by Australian music lovers.

“There was a time when there was a band doing the rounds that were described as the highest earning unsigned act in the country, and they were called Flowers,” said presenter Richard Wilkins as he introduced the award. “We couldn’t help ourselves but fall in love with them, and all that changed when Flowers became ICEHOUSE and they went on to have massive hits all over the world. They are one of the greatest bands ever to come out of this great southern land.”

Rolling Stone AU/NZ is published by Vinyl Media, part of The Vinyl Group. “Tonight was a fantastic celebration of Australian music and the remarkable artists this country produces,” said editor-in-chief Neil Griffiths.

“All our nominees have been doing their bit to showcase the strength of Australian music on a global stage, and this was our opportunity to give something back.”

The fifth annual awards welcomed multiple new and returning sponsors this year, with headline partner American Apparel on board alongside Shure and JMC Academy.

2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners

Rolling Stone Icon Award

ICEHOUSE (WINNER)

Best Single

Thelma Plum – ‘Freckles’ (WINNER)
Amyl and the Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That”
Empire of the Sun – “Changes”
Dom Dolla – “girl$”
CYRIL – “Stumblin’ in”
Baker Boy – “KING”

Best New Artist

3% (WINNER)
CYRIL
Becca Hatch
Mia Wray
Gut Health
9lives

Best LP/EP

Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness (WINNER)
RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inhale/Exhale
Lime Cordiale – Enough of the Sweet Talk
Missy Higgins – The Second Act
Amy Shark – Sunday Sadness
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God

Best Live Act 

Amyl and the Sniffers (WINNER)
Confidence Man
Tones and I
Dom Dolla
Parkway Drive
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

Readers’ Choice

Keli Holiday (WINNER)
Radio Free Alice
Thelma Plum
SPEED
Pond
Gut Health
G Flip
The Rions
Delta Goodrem
Crowded House 

Rolling Stone Global Award

Dom Dolla (WINNER)
Kylie Minogue
Amyl and the Sniffers
Confidence Man
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Empire of the Sun