AIM has revealed the first wave of nominees for the the Independent Music Awards 2025, with Ezra Collective, Fcukers, Hope Tala and Anaiis all receiving two nominations each.
Also shortlisted for the 15th edition of the event, which will take place on September 23 at The Roundhouse in London, are Fontaines DC, Wet Leg, Maverick Sabre, Moonchild Sannelly, Bon Iver, Aluna and more.
In terms of labels, Ninja Tune, Transgressive and Believe have the most nominations, with three each. Meanwhile, 5dB, Communion, Domino, FAMM, Partisan, Technicolour, XL and Young all have two.
Gee Davy, CEO of AIM, said: “As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Independent Music Awards, I’m inspired by the extraordinary creativity flowing from the UK’s independent music community.”
Davy said that, every year, the indie sector “delivers music that speaks to hearts, minds and dancing feet – and this year’s nominees are no exception”.
“Our panel of tastemakers has curated a spectacular selection from the vast array of submissions,” Davy added. “This is only a glimpse of the immense talent and variety within the scene, but showcases the fearless artistry that defines this community.”
“Independence in music means freedom to create, innovate and build careers and businesses on our own terms. The independent sector is where culture meets commercial success, and our 2025 nominees perfectly embody that intersection. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at what promises to be a truly special edition of the Awards.”
The independent sector is where culture meets commercial success, and our 2025 nominees perfectly embody that intersection
Gee Davy
The Best Independent Record Store category will this year be voted by the public, as will Best Live Performer.
Nominations for categories including Best Independent Label, Best Boutique Label, Music Entrepreneur Of The Year and Best Creative Campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.
The event’s sponsors include BBC Introducing, Merlin, PPL, Amazon Music and Vevo.
See below for the full list of nominations announced so far:
Best Independent Track
Anaiis, Grupo Cosmo - ‘B.P.E’ (5dB Records)
Ezra Collective, Yazmin Lacey - ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ (Partisan Records)
JIALING -‘Freaky Horns’ (Clasico Records)
Jim Legxacy - ‘father’ (XL Recordings)
Jorja Smith, Maverick Sabre - ‘Loving You’ (FAMM)
Miso Extra, Metronomy -‘Good Kisses’ (Transgressive Records)
Orla Gartland - ‘Mine’ (New Friends Music)
Wet Leg - ‘Catch These Fists’ (Domino Recording Co.)
Wunderhorse - ‘The Rope’ (Communion Records)
Yannis & The Yaw, Tony Allen - 'Rain Can't Reach Us' (Transgressive Records)
Best Independent Album
Bon Iver - Sable, Fable (Jagjaguwar)
Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching (Partisan Records)
Fontaines DC - Romance (XL Recordings)
Hope Tala - Hope Handwritten (Big Family Music)
John Glacier - Like A Ribbon (Young)
Maverick Sabre - Burn The Right Things Down (FAMM)
Moonchild Sanelly - Full Moon (Transgressive Records)
Nala Sinephro - Endlessness (Warp Records)
Oklou - Choke Enough (Oklou / True Panther Records)
TAAHLIA - Gramarye (untitled (recs))
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
Corto.alto (Ninja Tune)
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)
Hope Tala (Big Family Music)
Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
Fcukers - Baggy$$ (Technicolour Records)
MRCY - VOLUME 1(Dead Oceans)
Nectar Woode - Head Above Water (Communion Music)
Shygirl - Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)
Zino Vinci - The Late Bloomer(Bawne London / Believe)
Best Independent Remix
Aluna - ‘Heatstroke’ (Paul Woolford remix) (Mad Decent / Because Music)
Home Counties, TATYANA - ‘Uptight’ – TATYANA remix (Submarine Cat Records)
Koreless - ‘Seven’ (Jorig Kuning Bicton Barns Remix) (Young)
Nilufer Yanya - ‘Just A Western’ (Boy Harsher Remix) (Ninja Tune)
Rosie Lowe - ‘Gratitudes’ (D'Monk remix) (Blue Flowers Music)
One To Watch
Anaiis (5dB Records
BINA. (TLD Records)
Chloe Qisha (VLF Records / Believe)
Cristale (Believe)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)
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