It was one of the strongest years for Australians in terms of Grammy nominations, but singer Sia Furler, rapper Iggy Azalea and country music artist Keith Urban all walked home empty-handed from the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Furler had four nominations to her name, including two of the night’s biggest awards, record and song of the year, thanks to her power-pop epic Chandelier. She lost both to UK singer-songwriter Sam Smith who took the awards for his song Stay With Me, along with two other awards.
The singer did, however, take to the stage in a fashion consistent with previous public appearances over the course of the past year, singing with her back to the audience. Actor Kristen Wiig and dancer Maddie Ziegler performed a piece of choreography to the song, both wearing the blonde bob wigs that have become associated with the media-shy singer.
The performance was introduced by actor Shia LaBeouf, who recited a cryptic love poem for the Australian artist. “For Sia: I feel like this may be strange to say this here,” he read. “I love you so. Punch me if I stop crying.” The actor signed off the poem with “love, Erik” indicating it may have been written by Furler’s partner and filmmaker Erik Anders Lang.
Azalea was also up for record of the year, losing to Sam Smith again, in best new artist. The Mullumbimby artist had been nominated for four categories, losing in best rap album (which went to Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP2), and best pop duo or group performance (which went to A Great Big World feat Christina Aguilera in Say Something).
There were, however, two Australians associated with wins, producer M-Phazes (real name Mark Landon) and composer Fiona Joy.
Landon contributed to the winner of best rap album, Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP2. The Melbourne artist is best known for his work with a number of major Australian hip-hop acts, like Bliss n Eso and Illy, and co-produced the track Bad Guy on the Grammy-award winning album.
Joy and her song Grace featured on the best new age album Winds of Samsara, by Indian musician Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman of South Africa.
Keith Urban lost in two country music categories, but appeared on stage to introduce fellow country singer Eric Church.
Australian rock’n’roll giants AC/DC opened the night with a rousing performance of Rock or Bust and their classic Highway to Hell. Hollywood Reporter editor Matthew Belloni tweeted a picture of a teleprompter flashing song lyrics, although it possibly ran throughout the show for all performances.
In 2014 the only Australian act to be associated with a Grammy win was the Australian Chamber Orchestra, which was featured on the classical album Winter Morning Walks. Written by American composer Maria Schneider and featuring the American soprano Dawn Upshaw, it took out multiple awards.
Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Gotye won three Grammys in 2013, including record of the year for Somebody That I Used to Know.
• This article was amended on 10 January 2015 to include M-Phazes
