The first nominees for this year’s AIM Awards have been confirmed.
The AIM Awards – Association of Independent Music – aims to spotlight independence in UK music, the artists thriving outside the major label structure. Returning this Autumn, the ceremony takes place on November 17th at the Roundhouse, in London.
The list of nominees spotlights the excellence and diversity of independent music, with the coveted Best Independent Album list containing ANOHNI and the Johnsons, Barry Can’t Swim, D-Block Europe, Jorja Smith, and Kim Gordon.
Best Independent Track, meanwhile, features CASISDEAD, 2023 Mercury Prize winner Ezra Collective, Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP and Sampha.
Other categories include ‘UK Independent Breakthrough’, ‘One To Watch’, ‘Best Independent Remix’ and ‘Best Independent Video’ – with Actress, Bar Italia, DJ Kitty Amor, Khruangbin, L BEATS, Lynks, Mitski and Nubiyan Twist all shortlisted.
The award for ‘Best Live Performer’ will once again be decided by music fans worldwide, with a public vote now open here.
AIM interim CEO, Gee Davy, comments…
“We hope you are as excited as we are by this first list of nominees for 2024’s Independent Music Awards. Each year, our panel of tastemaker judges across favourite radio, press and online titles return a great list. This year spans the regions and nations, genres and communities of the UK’s independent music scene, recognising success, talent and artistry. We are delighted that the BBC, Amazon, Meta, Vevo and Spotify, alongside our other sponsors and partners continue to support and champion the Awards, which enables us to continue to shine a light on the ever-growing independent music sector.”
AIM Independent Music Awards current 2024 nominees:
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 Remix
P-rallel Remix – Aluna, Jayda G – Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent Under Exclusive Licence to Because Music)
Olof Dreijer Remix – Björk – Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
L BEATS Mashup – Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
Egyptian Lover Remix – Sudan Archives – Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
Ezra Collective, Sampa The Great – JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records)
One To Watch (in association with BBC Music Introducing)
Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
Miso Extra (Transgressive)
OneDa (Heavenly Recordings)
Best Independent Track (in association with Meta)
Amy Gadiaga – ‘All Black Everything’ (Jazz re:freshed)
CASISDEAD – ‘Venom’ (XL Recordings)
Sampha – ‘Spirit 2.0’ (Young)
Fontaines DC – ‘Starburster’ (XL Recordings)
Ezra Collective – ‘Ajala’ (Partisan 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)
Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair – ‘Set The Roof’ (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
George Riley – ‘Un/limited Love’ (Ninja Tune)
Headie One & K-Trap – ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ (One Records and Thousand8)
JGrrey – ‘If Not Now?’ (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
Potter Payper – ‘Thanks For Hating’ (EGA Distro)
HONESTY – ‘BOX’ (Partisan Records)
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
Bar Italia (Matador Records)
CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
Saint Harison (Platoon)
Best Independent Video (in association with Vevo)
Gia Ford – Poolside
