The AIM Independent Music Awards, the flagship event from The Association of Independent Music (AIM), is set to return to London’s iconic Roundhouse on 26 September 2023.
Now in its 13th year, the Awards recognise the achievements of independent artists, labels, entrepreneurs and other rightsholders that make up the UK’s diverse and thriving independent music sector. This now accounts for a third of the UK recorded music market.
The AIM Independent Music Awards has continuously proven itself as a tastemaker event, giving nods to stars before mainstream success. This year’s Awards will focus on celebrating the independent music community, incorporating more exclusive and intimate live performances set to take place throughout the ceremony.
The 2023 Awards also boast a newly streamlined list of categories. Returning categories include the Diversity Champion award, which was won last year by British multi-platinum artist Stormzy. 2022’s newly-established awards for Music Entrepreneur Of The Year and Best Independent EP / Mixtape will also return for this year’s event.
Last year saw the successful return of the Awards to the Roundhouse following the pandemic. Live performances included winners of the Special Recognition Award, The Libertines. Outstanding Contribution winner Lethal Bizzle also performed a set that featured iconic surprise guest appearances from both Giggs and JME. 2022 also saw Wet Leg take home the award for UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with YouTube Music), with Cleo Sol (Forever Living Originals) leaving with the award for Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify).
Other 2022 winners included Scotland’s TAAHLIAH with Best Independent EP/ Mixtape for ‘Angelica’, and Rina Sawayama, who walked away with the Innovator Award (in association with Amazon Music) and was one of Elton John’s surprise guests at his headline Glastonbury performance. London’s Rough Trade Recordings took home the award for Best Independent Label, having released music from the likes of Jockstrap, Black Midi and Dean Blunt.
The AIM Independent Music Awards has continuously proven itself as the tastemaker Awards show, giving nods to a multitude of stars well before their mainstream success. Honourees from previous years including the likes of Adele, Fontaines D.C., Little Simz, Dave, Arlo Parks, AJ Tracey, IDLES, Christine and The Queens, and Jorja Smith among countless others, who have later gone on to receive international acclaim as well as nominations and wins at the BRIT Awards, Grammys, and more.
Silvia Montello, CEO at AIM, commented: “This year’s Awards will be a celebration of the UK’s independent music community, and a recognition of the hard work and creativity we’ve seen over the past year from independent artists and the teams behind them. Today’s creators have more opportunities to have their music heard and find new audiences than ever before, and we are proud to see diversity and innovation thriving in UK music as a result, across independent label rosters, self-releasing artists and the rapidly growing DIY artist sector.”
Early Bird tickets, held at last year’s prices, are available until 12th July for AIM Rightsholder, Distributor and Friend of AIM Members and can be purchased by emailing [email protected].
From 12th July, standard price tickets will go on general sale across the industry.
Email [email protected] for more information on ticket prices.
