The AIM Independent Music Awards 2024 are about to kick off at London’s Roundhouse, with the independent music community coming together to celebrate some of its brightest talents.
We know at least one of the winners of this year’s awards in advance, with Music Venue Trust already announced as the winner of the Independent Music Champion award, having been presented with the trophy at the MVT Venues Day event that took place at Woolwich Works on 8 Oct.
That recognition is particularly meaningful for MVT as it celebrates its tenth anniversary, having dedicated the past decade to championing and safeguarding the UK’s grassroots music venues, which help nurture emerging artists within their local music scenes. Additionally, the Diversity Champion award has been awarded to Silvastone, highlighting the importance of inclusivity within the industry.
In a nod to the important role that local independent music retail plays in the UK’s music ecosystem, AIM has also introduced a new category: Best Independent Record Store. The nominees for this inaugural award include Drift, Honest Jon’s, Piccadilly Records, Rough Trade Bristol and Stranger Than Paradise Records, each known for their commitment to supporting local artists and communities.
Tonight’s ceremony will showcase a diverse array of talent across multiple categories, reflecting the rich creativity within the independent sector. The nominees are as follows:
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
- Bar Italia (Matador Records)
- Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
- CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
- Saint Harison (Tell Your Friends)
- Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)
- Actress - LXXXVIII (Ninja Tune)
- ANOHNI And The Johnsons - My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross (Rough Trade Records)
- Barry Can’t Swim - When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)
- D-Block Europe - Rolling Stone (EGA Distro)
- Jorja Smith - falling or flying (FAMM)
- Kim Gordon - The Collective (Matador Records)
- Mount Kimbie - The Sunset Violent (Warp Records)
- Nabihah Iqbal - Dreamer (Ninja Tune)
- Nubiyan Twist - Find Your Flame (Strut Records)
- Skrapz - Reflection (EGA Distro)
Best Independent Track (in association with Meta)
- Amy Gadiaga - All Black Everything (Jazz re)
- CASISDEAD - Venom (XL Recordings)
- Ezra Collective - Ajala (Partisan Records)
- Fontaines DC - Starburster (XL Recordings)
- Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair - Set The Roof (Warp Records)
- Jorja Smith - Little Things (FAMM)
- KNEECAP, Grian Chatten - Better Way To Live (Heavenly Recordings)
- Matthew Halsall - An Ever Changing View (Gondwana Records)
- NikNak - 1200RPM (Accidental Records)
- Sampha - Spirit 2.0 (Young)
Best Independent Remix (in association with Notion)
- The Egyptian Lover Remix of Sudan Archives - Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
- Joy Anonymous Remix of Ezra Collective, Sampa The Great - JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records)
- L BEATS Mashup of Jorja Smith - Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
- Olof Dreijer Remix of Björk - Oral (feat Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
- P-rallel Remix of Aluna, Jayda G - Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent under exclusive licence to Because Music)
Best Live Performer
- Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings)
- KNEECAP (Heavenly Recordings)
- Laura Misch (One Little Independent)
- Pendulum (Mushroom Music)
- RAYE (Human Re Sources)
One To Watch (in association with BBC Music Introducing)
- Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
- Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
- Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
- Miso Extra (Transgressive Records)
- OneDa (Heavenly Recordings)
PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Artist
- Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
- Coach Party (Chess Club Records)
- Far From Saints (Ignition Records)
- Popeth (Recordiau Côsh Records)
- Tom A Smith (TYM Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
- George Riley - Un/limited Love (Ninja Tune)
- Headie One & K-Trap - STRENGTH TO STRENGTH (One Records and Thousand8)
- HONESTY - BOX (Partisan Records)
- JGrrey - If Not Now? (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
- Potter Payper - Thanks For Hating (EGA Distro)
Best Independent Video (in association with Vevo)
- Gia Ford - Poolside (Chrysalis Records)
- Khruangbin - A Love International (Dead Oceans)
- Master Peace - I Might Be Fake feat Georgia (PMR Records)
- Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine (Dead Oceans)
- Sampha - Only (Young)
Best Independent Label (in association with BBC Radio 6 Music)
- Heavenly Recordings
- Ninja Tune
- Partisan Records
- Sub Pop Records
- Transgressive Records
Best Boutique Label (in association with Qobuz)
- AD 93
- Houndstooth
- LAB Records
- New Soil
- Sonic Cathedral
Best Creative Campaign (in association with Able)
- Chrysalis Records (BODEGA - Our Brand Could Be Yr Life)
- Dead Oceans (Slowdive - everything is alive)
- Lofi Girl – Identity Music (Snowman)
- Warp Records (Aphex Twin - Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a Room7 F760)
- Young (Sampha - LAHAI)
Best Independent Record Store
- Drift
- Honest Jon’s
- Piccadilly
- Rough Trade Bristol
- Stranger Than Paradise Records
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
- Andrew Batey (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beatdapp)
- Atlanta Cobb (Founder & Director, Music Industry Mentor)
- Colin Batsa (President and Chairman, EGA Distro)
- Meg Carnie (Studio Manager / Co-Founder / Artist Manager - South Lanes Studios)
- Tom Allen (President, Downtown Royalties and Financial Services, Downtown Music)
Tonight’s event will include performances from Sampha and Manchester-based MC OneDa, both of whom are also nominated for awards.
We’ll be providing an update with the full list of winners at 10:45pm, followed by a series of interviews and other content from nominees and winners.