Fours years after announcing an indefinite hiatus, Silverchair have reemerged on top of Australia's pop-music pile, winning 5 ARIAs at last night's awards ceremony in Sydney.

The Newcastle trio walked away with awards for: single of the year, album of the year, highest-selling single of the year, best band and best rock album.

Gotye won the best male artist award and Missy Higgins took out best female artist.

A highlight of the night's events was Nick Cave's somewhat reluctant induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Something told us it wasn't exactly a career highlight for the 50 year old singer. 

The show at the Acer Arena, Homebush, began with the usual procession of celebrities along the red carpet with young fans clamoring to catch a glimpse of Delta Goodrem, Megan Gale, the Australian Idol kids and Nicole Kidman with husband Keith Urban, who later took home an ARIA for best country album.

THE WINNERS:

■ SINGLE OF THE YEAR - Straight Lines - Silverchair

■ ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Young Modern - Silverchair

■ HIGHEST SELLING SINGLE - Straight Lines - Silverchair

■ HIGHEST SELLING ALBUM - The Winners Journey - Damien Leith

■ BEST GROUP - Silverchair

■ BEST MALE ARTIST - Gotye

■ BEST FEMALE ARTIST - Missy Higgins

■  BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST — ALBUM - Sneaky Sound System - Sneaky Sound System

■ BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST — SINGLE - Just A Song About Ping Pong - Operator Please

■ BEST ROCK ALBUM - Young Modern - Silverchair

■ BEST DANCE RELEASE - Sneaky Sound System

■ BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE - Grand National - John Butler Trio

■ BEST POP RELEASE - Sarah Blasko

■ BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM - Memories and Dust - Josh Pyke

■ BEST BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM - Grand National - John Butler Trio

■ BEST COUNTRY ALBUM - Keith Urban