Australia toasts the best at the Arias

Established rocker Bernard Fanning and little-known Clare Bowditch were crowned king and queen of Australian music at the industry's annual night of nights.

Powderfinger frontman Fanning secured best male artist and album of the year for his solo effort, Tea and Sympathy.

"I'm honoured, it's a great thing," Fanning said.

And Bowditch took home the best female gong for her album What Was Left at Sunday night's Australian Recording Industry (Aria) Awards.

"Miracles do happen," said mother-of-one Bowditch, who is pregnant with twins.

Sydney rockers Wolfmother secured the most awards of the night, collecting three. They won best group, best rock album and breakthrough artist album for their self-titled debut offering.

"It's kind of blown out the roof," said Wolfmother lead singer Andrew Stockdale.

"It feels really good. We've done a lot of shows and it's nice to know that's it connecting to people on a bigger scale."

Perth outfit Eskimo Joe secured two Aria Awards, with Black Fingernails, Red Wine named single of the year. The group also won an Aria in the best music DVD category for their self-titled long form DVD.

Dance music group TV Rock secured two Arias for hit single, Flaunt It, which was voted best dance release and highest selling single.

Taking home their first Aria award were Human Nature, who secured the gong for highest selling album Reach Out: The Motown Album.

Brisbane twins The Veronicas also secured their first Aria, winning best pop release for their album, The Veronicas - The Secret Life Of ... "It's the biggest honour possible, an Aria," said one half of the sister act, Jessica Origliaso.

"We always dreamed of being here but in reality this is crazy."

Troy Cassar-Daley won best country album for Brighter Day, while The Wiggles won the best children's album category for Racing to the Rainbow.

A total of 21 awards were handed out at the Sydney ACER Arena.

The Arias, celebrating their 20th year, featured performances by Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe, Bernard Fanning, Kasey Chambers, Clare Bowditch, Hilltop Hoods, Pete Murray, John Mayer, and The Veronicas.

TV presenter Rove McManus shared hosting duties with Jackie O, James Mathison, Katy Steele, Jesse McCartney, John Butler, and Hollywood actor Johnny Knoxville.

Sony BMG Australia head Denis Handlin inducted Midnight Oil into the Aria Hall of Fame, while U2's Bono sent a video message of support to the legendary Australian rockers and Silverchair paid tribute to the band by performing their song I Don't Want To Be The One.

- AAP