The 2026 ARIA Awards have expanded their performance line-up, with Genesis Owusu, Ecca Vandal and DMA’S joining the already-announced Sienna Spiro. The update, released on Sunday 8 November, also confirms Melanie C among the presenters for the ceremony at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday 18 November.
For UK pop fans, the announcement brings together a London-based breakthrough singer and a familiar British pop name within Australia’s biggest annual music awards. Spiro is booked to sing, while Melanie C is part of the presenting roster. The organiser has announced those roles separately.
Who is performing at the 2026 ARIA Awards?
ARIA’s announcement names Genesis Owusu, Ecca Vandal, DMA’S, BOY SODA and Spiderbait among the performers. The bill also includes 3%, Scribe and Fred Leone, adding further artists to a programme built around the awards’ 40th anniversary.
Rolling Stone Australia’s report confirms the distinction between the stage performers and the guests presenting awards. Tame Impala, Melanie C, The Veronicas, Jimmy Barnes and G Flip are among the presenters. Others named include BLUSHER, Ladyhawke, The Temper Trap, Tim Minchin and Tash Sultana.
The organiser has not attached song titles to the performances in this announcement. There is therefore no confirmed set list to accompany the names, and the presenting line-up should not be read as a list of additional musical performances.
Spiro’s appearance was first announced in October. The Music reported that the London-based singer would make her ARIA Awards debut ahead of an Australian tour in January 2027. That earlier announcement followed the release of her debut album, Visitor, placing the awards performance between the record’s arrival and the next run of Australian shows.
The publication also reported extra tour dates after strong ticket demand, including appearances at Melbourne’s Festival Hall, Fremantle Prison and Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. The November ceremony gives Australian audiences another opportunity to see her before those headline concerts.
Nominees will also take the stage
Several of the newly confirmed performers are central to this year’s awards race. According to ARIA’s official nominations announcement, Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala lead with eight nominations each, followed by Ecca Vandal with seven.
BOY SODA has five nominations, while DMA’S have four. Album of the Year brings those acts together: its five contenders are BOY SODA’s Soulstar, DMA’S self-titled album, Ecca Vandal’s Looking For People to Unfollow, Genesis Owusu’s REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE and Tame Impala’s Deadbeat.
Best Alternative Release also returns for the first time since 2016. That category includes Owusu, Tame Impala and Ecca Vandal, giving the performance bill a direct connection to one of the returning competitive awards.
Spiderbait’s performance follows a different kind of recognition. The band were among six acts inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at a special event in June. That anniversary celebration also honoured Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, The Living End and Vika & Linda.
Hosts, broadcast and online coverage
Comedians Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald will host the ceremony. The pair co-host The Cheap Seats on Network 10, which won the 2023 Logie for Most Outstanding Entertainment Program. Their appointment was announced separately in October.
DJ and presenter Latifa Tee will also join the hosting team. ARIA has named Angela Bishop, Georgie Tunny and Latifa Tee for its red-carpet coverage, extending the evening beyond the awards presentations and performances.
Latifa Tee hosts triple j’s House Party and Doof, where her work focuses on Australian electronic and club music. She will join the hosts throughout the ceremony.
The announced Australian broadcast is live on Paramount+ from 5pm AEDT on 18 November, with a later broadcast on 10. For UK readers, ARIA has also confirmed that red-carpet moments and performances will appear across its social channels. Those official channels provide the clearest route to the published clips without assuming that the Australian television arrangements apply to UK subscriptions.
