The Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards returned for their fourteenth edition last night at the Roundhouse in Camden celebrating the UK’s independent community of artists, labels and entrepreneurs. The night was filled with joy, elegance and sonic surprises and showcased the independent community’s trademark mix of cultural influence and commercial success.
Trailblazing singer-songwriter, rapper and producer Neneh Cherry was presented with the Innovator Award in recognition of her career-long musical and personal innovation and her influence across generations. Looking like a fierce young queen, she took to the stage to euphoric applause, whoops and awe from the audience saying. “Thank you AIM for feeling that I deserve this. I guess it’s better to be a pioneer than an old bag! ” she laughed. “And I also want to say that, without the independent music community, I’m not sure where I would be. So peace and power to independent thought, independent music and all those who support it!” Neneh is currently touring the UK with her memoir ‘A Thousand Threads ‘ celebrating the power of love and the joy of creativity. As Zadie Smith said, “Neneh is cool, Neneh is wise, Neneh is a legend. Her memoir is a treasure. I loved it.’
Sampha emerged one of this year’s biggest winners, picking up the award for Best Independent Track in association with Meta for his 2023 single ‘Spirit 2.0′ (Young), and Best Independent Video in association with Vevo for his track ‘Only’ (Young). Collecting his award for Best Independent Track he said: “Thank you so much AIM Awards This track really does mean a lot to me. I want to dedicate this to the spirit of my brother, who gave me everything in terms of music and was my educator. This is dedicated to Sanie. Thank you so much.” After bringing tears to our eyes with his speech, the Mercury winner enraptured the audience with his stunning vocals and exquisite piano performance. Keys danced under his fingers as his melismatic voice filled the Roundhouse, spellbinding us all with his world-class talent.
Sampha
Sparks were worthy winners of this year’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, with a surprise reveal that the experimental pop duo had signed to Transgressive Records for their upcoming 28th studio album, bringing them back to the independent music community. Speaking exclusively to GIITTV vocalist Russell Mael said, “It’s exciting because Transgressive share the same independent spirit that’s something that we have and that’s innate in what we do and we’re really happy to be with a label that’s really in it for the music, especially for the new album that we’ve recorded. They’re not responding just to Sparks for our legacy, but they are responding to what Sparks is doing right now with our new music. It’s really exciting.“
“They are also really energetic as well you know they’re not just going through the motions they are really passionate about what they are doing and we are so happy” said Keyboardist Ron Mael.
Russell Mael said, “We are working on another musical. We really liked the experience of being able to do what we do with our music but to put it in another context that isn’t just us with an album full of songs but it has a narrative and storyline that we’ve also written so that was really exciting for us because the first one we did, ‘Anette’ and now we are doing another one that we are working with a really amazing director John Woo. For him this is a real passion project to be able to do something that’s completely different from what he’s known for. It’s a real action film so this is his first musical so he’s really venturing into something new too.”
After an incendiary performance on the AIM stage, genre-defying Manchester MC, OneDa received this year’s award for One To Watch in association with BBC Music.
After her win, the Hip Hop artist spoke exclusively to GIITTV saying, ” My mission is to show people the power that they’ve got within and to teach people that we’re everything that we’ve ever needed. People look outside too much and wait for other people to tell them who they are. My mission is to show people that you already know who you are- you’ve got it all within yourself.” The joy from her win was infectious as she said, “Mate, I feel overwhelmed, excited, gassed energised and all ready to take on the world. Pussy Power to the World Let’s Go!”
The prestigious award for Best Independent Album in association with Spotify was presented to Jorja Smith for her critically-acclaimed second studio album, “falling or flying”, independently released through her label FAMM. Having been named UK Independent Breakthrough in 2018, tonight’s win celebrates her continued rise as one of the country’s greatest talents, as well as the Independent Music Awards’ uncanny knack for spotting star quality early.
The award for UK Independent Breakthrough in association with Amazon Music went to Scottish producer Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), recognising success of his debut album ‘When Will We Land?‘ which landed him a string of sold-out shows and a slot on Glastonbury’s Park Stage. AIM presented him with his award in person at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) ahead of his show there. He said, “I’m super grateful to be nominated. There’s so many amazing artists in independent music and on independent labels. With so much good music at the moment coming out of the UK, it really is a total privilege to be recognised for this.”
Lynks brought beautifully bizarre masked camp joy with his dark, uplifting performance It was a multi-sensory banquet. We couldn’t take our eyes off the fierce dance moves and costume changes. It was pure gritty theatrical joy no wonder he is such a cult underground icon. Later Bex raised the roof with her stylish punk-laced Riot Grrl set. The newest daughter of punk is surely on an an upwards trajectory.
Following on from his win at the 2024 MOBO’s, UK rapper Potter Payper received the award for Best Independent EP/Mixtape for his 2024 mixtape ‘Thanks for Hating‘ (EGA Distro), which had a profound impact on audiences with its poignant storytelling. Electronic duo Joy Anonymous took home Best Independent Remix for their remix of Ezra Collective’s “Life Goes On” feat. Sampa The Great (Partisan Records).
The award for Best Live Performer, voted on by the public, went to electronic rock band Pendulum (Mushroom Music) for their euphoric live shows. The data-driven PPL Award for Most Played New Artist went to Far From Saints (Ignition Records), the new project from Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones and Dwight Baker and Patricia Lynn of The Wind And The Wave.
Previously announced winner, Afrobeats artist and changemaker SILVASTONE, collected the award for Diversity Champion, in recognition of his exceptional community work in Croydon, including music and mentoring programmes with young people in schools, young offender units and youth clubs.
SILVASTONE
The coveted award for Best Independent Label in association with BBC Radio 6 Music was presented to Heavenly Recordings, celebrating over 30 years in the business and with a roster including One To Watch winner OneDa, plus nominees Lynks and KNEECAP.
Aphex Twin and Warp Records took home Best Creative Campaign for their work on EP “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a Room7 F760”, which saw them generate organic buzz through 3D installations at festivals.
Meg Carnie, artist manager and co-founder of Brighton’s South Lanes Studios, won through in a close contest for the title of 2024’s Music Entrepreneur of the Year. Best Boutique Label in association with Qobuz was presented to cult shoegaze imprint Sonic Cathedral following several previous nominations.
The ceremony also marked the introduction of a brand new award for Best Independent Record Store, in recognition of the key role that record stores play as cultural hubs. Drift was crowned its first ever winner, having had a central place in the community in Totnes, Devon for the past 30 years.
Music Venue Trust won the Independent Music Champion award, recognising their impact in protecting grassroots music venues and the strong connection this has in creating and nurturing local scenes and artist careers.
AIM’s interim CEO, Gee Davy, said: “We’re delighted to be back at the Roundhouse shining a light on the vast array of success, innovation and creativity of the UK’s independent music community. When people think of independent music, they sometimes think small. But the global success and sheer breadth of talent on display tonight shows a sector at the peak of commercial and cultural achievement. This community never ceases to amaze me with its collective spirit in celebrating each others’ wins and recognising that we rise highest when we rise together. ”
A full list of nominees and winners is below:
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
Bar Italia (Matador Records)
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune) *WINNER*
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) *WINNER*
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:freshed)
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) *WINNER*
Best Independent Remix (in association with Notion)
The Egyptian Lover Remix – Sudan Archives – Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
Joy Anonymous Remix – Ezra Collective, Sampa The Great – JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records) *WINNER*
L BEATS Mashup – Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
Olof Dreijer Remix – Björk – Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
P-rallel Remix – 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) *WINNER*
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) *WINNER*
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
Coach Party (Chess Club Records)
Far From Saints (Ignition Records) *WINNER*
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) *WINNER*
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) *WINNER*
Best Independent Label (in association with BBC Radio 6 Music)
Heavenly Recordings *WINNER*
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 *WINNER*
Best Creative Campaign (in association with Able)
Chrysalis Records and BODEGA (‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’ )
Dead Oceans and Slowdive (‘everything is alive’ )
Lofi Girl – Identity Music (‘Snowman’)
Warp Records and Aphex Twin (‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a Room7 F760’) *WINNER*
Young and Sampha (‘LAHAI’ )
Best Independent Record Store
Drift *WINNER*
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) *WINNER*
Tom Allen (President, Downtown Royalties and Financial Services, Downtown Music)
Diversity Champion
SILVASTONE *WINNER*
Independent Music Champion (in association with Downtown)
Music Venue Trust *WINNER*
Outstanding Contribution to Music (in association with Merlin)
Sparks *WINNER*
Innovator
Neneh Cherry *WINNER*
