INXS to be honoured with Ted Albert Award
For close to five decades, INXS have been one of Australia's most iconic and influential bands
Performances on the night, including a special tribute to INXS, to feature BARKAA, BOY SODA, Christine Anu, Ecca Vandal, The Presets and more
One of Australia’s most iconic and globally influential bands, INXS, will be honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2026 APRA Music Awards in Sydney on Wednesday 29 April.
For close to five decades, INXS have defined what it means for an Australian band to not just break internationally, but to dominate. Their impact on the global music landscape is undeniable, with a remarkable seven US Top 10 singles — four from Kick, two from X, and the breakthrough hit “What You Need” — a feat surpassed by only a handful of Australian artists including The Bee Gees and Olivia Newton-John.
Formed in Sydney in 1977 as The Farriss Brothers, Andrew, Jon and Tim Farriss joined forces with Garry Beers, Kirk Pengilly and Michael Hutchence — a group united by instinct, ambition and undeniable chemistry. Forged on the Australian pub circuit, their electrifying live shows quickly set them apart, laying the groundwork for a career that would soon transcend borders.
Guided by longtime manager Chris Murphy, the band’s vision sharpened and their trajectory accelerated. A string of defining Australian releases including “Don’t Change”, “Original Sin” and “What You Need” signaled their evolution from local heroes to a formidable international force.
That ascent reached its peak with the release of Kick in 1987 — a genre-defining album blending rock, funk and new wave that stormed to No.3 on the US Billboard chart and delivered four US Top 10 singles. Tracks like “Need You Tonight”, “New Sensation” and “Never Tear Us Apart” didn’t just dominate charts — they became cultural touchstones, cementing INXS as one of the most important bands of their era.
With over 75 million albums sold worldwide, INXS’s legacy is matched by a formidable list of accolades, including six APRA Music Awards, ARIAs, Brit Awards, MTV Awards and recognition from Billboard and Rolling Stone, alongside multiple Grammy nominations.
Their influence continues to echo across generations. From film and television to global advertising campaigns — from this year’s Super Bowl to Toy Story 5 — their music remains ever-present. In 2025, “Never Tear Us Apart” was crowned No.1 in triple j’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, a song whose covers have been played almost 20 million times across streaming and social media platforms in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand alone, a testament to its enduring power.
INXS are not just part of Australia’s musical history — they helped write the global playbook.
Jenny Morris, Chair of APRA, explains: “INXS are truly one-of-a-kind. Performing with them in the 1980s, at Wembley Stadium opening for Queen to the Listen Like Thieves tour across Europe, North America and Latin America, I saw firsthand the love and adoration they generated. From their compelling and timeless songwriting to their intoxicating performances, few bands have ever left people happily gasping for more the way INXS do.
“Michael is as much of a presence in our lives today as the day we lost him, and of course the same goes for the band. The legacy of INXS lives on. They remain as relevant as ever, continuing to inspire new generations and bring that unmistakable Aussie spirit to fans around the world.”
A series of special performances, including a tribute to INXS, will be part of an extraordinary evening celebrating 100 years of APRA. An eclectic cross-section of some of the most exciting artists from across the musical spectrum are confirmed to perform including hip-hop powerhouse BARKAA, the soulfully seductive BOY SODA, groundbreaking punk rocker Ecca Vandal, artist and songman Ngulmiya, seven-piece funk band Playlunch, Aotearoa pop superstar Rob Ruha and multi-instrumentalist Way Dynamic. APRA Music Award alumni Christine Anu, Paul Kelly and The Presets will make up the musical repertoire, befitting this landmark occasion.
The 2026 OneMusic Licensee of the Year is The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre, which operates in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville. This award acknowledges and rewards the contribution of licensees to APRA members as good music citizens. The venue’s retro ‘80s style - including the Lucky Prawn dining experience, Richie Benaud commentating in the bathrooms, top notch merchandise and the best of Countdown on rotation - makes this venue a great OneMusic ambassador and licensee.
This year’s Most Performed International Work goes to The Weeknd and Playboi Carti for “Timeless”, written by Abel Tasfaye, Chisolm Petty, Evan Hood, Jarrod Morgan, Jordan Carter, Mark Williams, Mike Dean, Pharrell Williams, Raul Cubina and Tariq Sharrieff.
Winners of all remaining categories including the International Recognition Award, Most Performed Australian Work Overseas and Songwriter of the Year will be revealed at the ceremony on Wednesday 29 April.
As part of APRA’s 100-year celebrations, this year’s awards will be the biggest yet, hosted by legendary presenter and musicophile, Julia Zemiro, with guest presenters Bernard Fanning, Jessica Mauboy, Mark Coles Smith and Stella Donnelly.
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.
2026 APRA Music Awards
Wednesday 29 April
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Host Julia Zemiro
Guest presenters Bernard Fanning, Jessica Mauboy, Mark Coles Smith and Stella Donnelly
Music Director François Tétaz
