ARIA Celebrates 20 Years of the ARIA Club Chart

Marking two decades of documenting what's filling Australian dancefloors.

July 2019 saw the ARIA Club Chart turn 20. In that time, the Club Chart has gone from reflecting a small but thriving underground subculture in Australian cities, to being the chart home of some of the biggest names in music around the world.

Helping to celebrate this milestone has been some of the biggest Australian stars of ARIA Club Chart. ARIA has received messages from Sneaky Sound System, Potbelleez, Andy Van (Madison Avenue), Inaya Day, Timmy Trumpet and more.

The very first ARIA Club Chart was released on 26 July 1999. It followed a similar model to the long running Billboard Dance Club Songs, which was to reflect what was being played in dance clubs. 127 DJs were surveyed in that very first year chart. Over 200 DJs are surveyed today.

ARIA Chief Executive Dan Rosen:

“Over the last two decades we have seen dance music leave the clubs and dominate the mainstream charts. As respect and awareness for dance music has grown, ARIA remains committed to the club scene. It is an important and powerful breeding ground for today’s aspiring DJs and tomorrow’s megastars.

"I’d also like to thank everyone from the ARIA Club Chart Committee over the years for their hard work and – of course – all of the hard-working ARIA Club Chart DJs for their important contribution.”

Gabby Colombi (ARIA Club Chart Committee Member, 1999-present):

“In the past 20 years we have seen dance music go from an underground club thing, to a rich and legitimate genre inspiring all walks of life. The ARIA Club Chart remains a voice for individuals, DJs, producers, women and independents working for the good of the dance community.”

ARIA Club Chart at a glance:

• The very first Club Chart was released 26 July 1999.
• The first ever #1 on the Club Chart was ‘Big Love’ by UK producer Pete Heller.
• ‘Big Love’ is #1 again this week with a 20th anniversary remix by David Penn and Dr Packer
• The first club chart was dominated by international acts, with only 1 Australian (Chili Hi-Fly) in the Top 40.
• Now a Top 50 chart, this week sees 33 Australian artists in the chart.
• The first Australian #1 ARIA Club Track was ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’ by Madison Avenue. It also holds the record for most weeks spent at #1, with 18 consecutive weeks. The track reached #2 in the ARIA Singles Chart.
• Calvin Harris holds the record for most #1 Club tracks with seven.