ARIA awards to be handed out at concerts

The 2010 ARIA Awards will have a twist this year, with several gongs to be handed out at concerts the week before the main event.

According to 9 News, genre-specific awards will be presented at the iTunes Live: ARIA Awards Concert Series at Sydney's Botanic Gardens.

There will be five outdoor shows from Monday to Friday, with nominees John Butler Trio, Washington, Guy Sebastian, Sia and Angus & Julia Stone headlining.

At least three awards will be handed out at each of the live shows, with the remaining prizes to be given at the main ceremony as usual on Sunday, November 7.

Monday's show will be headlined by the John Butler Trio, with awards given for 'Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album', 'Best Music DVD' and 'Best World Music Album'.

Tuesday will see Washington perform, with the winners announced for 'Best Blues & Roots Album', 'Best Children's Album', and 'Best Original Soundtrack'.

Guy Sebastian will headline Wednesday's outdoor show, along with the winners of 'Best Jazz Album', 'Best Dance Album' and 'Best Urban Album'.

Thursday's show will be headlined by Sia, with gongs given out for 'Best Country Album', 'Best Adult Contemporary Album', 'Best Comedy Release' and 'Best Classical Album'.

Finally, Friday will see Angus & Julia Stone perform, with awards handed out for 'Best Pop Release', 'Best Rock Album' and 'Best Adult Alternative Album'.

The rest of the awards including 'Best Album', 'Best Group', 'Best Male' and 'Best Female' will be given out during the main awards ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.