The winners of the 2026 APRA Music Awards have been announced at a star-studded, centenary celebration event at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion this evening (Wednesday 29 April).
The night’s big winners were Amyl and The Sniffers who took home three awards – the coveted Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year and Most Performed Rock Work for the playfully controversial Jerkin’, along with the acclaimed Songwriter of the Year award, appointed by the APRA Board. This marks the second consecutive year the Melbourne four-piece have won the highly contested Song of the Year after taking it home in 2025 for U Should Not Be Doing That.
One of Australia’s most defining rock bands, INXS, were honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music by their long-time friend and APRA Chair, Jenny Morris MNZM OAM. The presentation was followed by an incredible performance by punk powerhouse Ecca Vandal, giving their iconic song Just Keep Walking a new twist for a new generation and longtime fans.
But in the award all of you have been waiting for, Ocean Grove took out the Most Performed Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Work for Raindrop, edging out The Amity Affliction, Thornhill, Make Them Suffer and Parkway Drive.
The APRA Music Awards celebrate excellence in contemporary music, honouring songwriters and publishers who have achieved artistic excellence and outstanding success in their fields. 18 awards are presented across three distinct selection processes: Board Selected, Most Performed (based on statistical analysis) and Peer Voted.
A playlist featuring the nominees and winners is available on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube Music.
