The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Independent Music Awards — the annual celebration of the UK’s independent community of artists, labels and entrepreneurs.
Returning to Camden’s iconic Roundhouse for their fourteenth edition, tonight’s Awards were filled with surprises and showcased the independent community’s trademark mix of cultural influence and commercial success. The variety and breadth of the sector was demonstrated in a spectrum of winners from Sparks and Neneh Cherry to OneDa and Barry Can’t Swim.
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.
Taking to the stage to accept her Award, Neneh Cherry said: “Thank you AIM for feeling that I deserve this. I guess it’s better to be a pioneer than an old bag! 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!”
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.
Accepting her award via video, Jorja Smith said: “A big thank you to the AIM Awards for awarding me Best Independent Album of the year. A massive, massive thank you to DAMEDAME* for laughter and fun, and for just being able to express myself and have fun making tunes. I love them so much so it’s amazing that I got to create this album with them [….] And thank you to FAMM for believing in me from all these years ago to now and the fact that I’m able to put out albums independently.”
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). The former Mercury prize-winner meanwhile took to the stage, showcasing his exceptional vocal talent in a heartstopping live performance.
Sampha collected his award for Best Independent Track, saying: “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.”
Other live performances came from genre-defying Manchester MC, OneDa, who received this year’s award for One To Watch in association with BBC Music Introducing, plus electropop experimentalist Lynks and rising punk rocker BEX.
Sparks were announced as the recipients 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.
The award for UK Independent Breakthrough in association with Amazon Music went to Scottish producer Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), recognising the critical 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 this evening.
Barry Can’t Swim 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.”
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.
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.
Drift said: “We’ve been the bridesmaid so many times, so it’s really awesome to win – thank you. Loads of respect to AIM for recognising record shops. You all know how important we are. The community and sector is super strong. Thanks to all my friends because we’d just be a tiny little entity if it wasn’t for them.”
Music Venue Trust’s win as Independent Music Champion was celebrated with a video of AIM’s interim CEO Gee Davy and Chair Ruth Barlow surprising co-founders Mark Davyd and Beverley Whitrick with the award at MVT’s 10th annual Venues Day. The award recognises their impact in protecting grassroots music venues, and the strong connection this has in creating and nurturing local scenes and artist careers.
As an additional prize, winners of the One To Watch & UK Independent Breakthrough categories, OneDa and Barry Can’t Swim, will be granted access to complimentary tour splitters for one week of any upcoming UK tours, courtesy of Civilised Car Hire. Amazon Music has also awarded all UK Independent Breakthrough nominees complimentary studio time at The Breakthrough Lab, their songwriting and production suite at London’s Metropolis Studios.
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. Our winners tonight represent just the tip of the independent music iceberg and it is always a challenge to select just a few heroes, inspirations and exciting newcomers to honour at the Independent Music Awards each year. We also enjoyed bringing in several surprises this year — from our new Best Independent Record Store award, to some surprise trophy handovers, and the news of Sparks’ return to independence for their 28th studio album.”
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*
