Gilles Peterson, Fontaines D.C. and Ezra Collective are among the winners at the 15th Independent Music Awards, unveiled by the Association of Independent Music (AIM) in London on 23rd September.
Peterson received ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ (in association with Merlin), recognising more than four decades of influence as a broadcaster, DJ and label founder.
Fontaines D.C. took ‘Best Independent Album’ (in association with Spotify) for their fourth album ‘Romance’, released via XL Recordings. It was one of two trophies on the night for XL Recordings, who were also named ‘Best Independent Label’.
Ezra Collective won ‘Best Independent Track’ (in association with Meta) for ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ featuring Yazmin Lacey, released via Partisan Records.
The ‘One To Watch’ award (in association with BBC Music Introducing) went to BINA., who said: “Thank you for the recognition, it means a lot. Thank you everybody who’s part of building this world with me… I appreciate you all a lot. I have a lot of gratitude and excitement for the future. The plot thickens.”
Live performances on the night came from Moonchild Sanelly, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Coach Party, and MRCY. Summing up the event, AIM CEO Gee Davy said: “Tonight’s 15th anniversary edition of The Independent Music Awards has been an unforgettable celebration of the creative freedom, resilience, and innovative spirit that has always defined the independent music community.
“This fearless innovation is seen in everything from Cosey Fanni Tutti’s pioneering art and enterprise, Fontaines D.C.’s uncompromising music, Ezra Collective’s unfolding excellence, XL Recordings’ unwavering support for artists, ESEA’s inspiring advocacy, Karen Emanuel’s ethical and inclusive entrepreneurship, Gilles Peterson’s boundary-pushing passion, and the unending dedication to platforming talent of Wax & Beans and Bandcamp.
“The night highlighted the breadth of talent across the sector, and the passion that keeps it thriving. It was a joyous occasion and a reminder of the continued importance of the independent music sector as the epicentre of creative freedom.”
Independent Music Awards 2025 winners and nominees:
Outstanding Contribution To Music (in association with Merlin)
Gilles Peterson WINNER
Innovator Award
Cosey Fanni Tutti WINNER
Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)
Fontaines D.C. – Romance (XL Recordings) WINNER
Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE (Jagjaguwar)
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)
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 (Because Music / True Panther Records)
TAAHLIAH – Gramarye (untitled (recs))
Best Independent Track (in association with Meta)
Ezra Collective – God Gave Me Feet For Dancing ft. Yazmin Lacey (Partisan Records) WINNER
anaiis, Grupo Cosmo – B.P.E (5dB 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)
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
corto.alto (Ninja Tune previously New Soil) WINNER
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)
Hope Tala (Big Family Music)
Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)
Best Live Performer
Shed Seven (Cooking Vinyl) WINNER
Alison Moyet (Cooking Vinyl)
Elles Bailey (Cooking Vinyl)
Ayanna Witter-Johnson (Hill and Gully Records)
Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Best Independent Video (in association with VEVO)
Bricknasty – Vinland (FAMM) WINNER
Black Honey – Psycho (Foxfive Records)
Fontaines D.C. – In The Modern World (XL Recordings)
Ezra Collective – God Gave Me Feet For Dancing Ft. Yazmin Lacey (Partisan Records)
Wet Leg – Catch These Fists (Domino Recording Co.)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape (in association with Notion)
MRCY – VOLUME 1 (Dead Oceans) WINNER
Fcukers – Baggy$$ (Technicolour)
Nectar Woode – Head Above Water (Communion Records)
Shygirl – Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)
Zino Vinci – The Late Bloomer (Believe UK)
Best Independent Remix (in association with BBC Radio 1 Dance)
Boy Harsher Remix – Nilufer Yanya – ‘Just A Western’ (Ninja Tune) WINNER
D’Monk Remix – Rosie Lowe – ‘Gratitudes’ (Blue Flowers Music)
Jorg Kunning Bicton Barns Remix – Koreless – ‘Seven’ (Young)
Tatyana Remix – Home Counties – ‘Uptight’ (Submarine Cat Records)
Tower Block 1 – Fat Dog – ‘Peace Song’ (Domino Recording Co.)
Best Creative Campaign
Aitch (NQ Records)
Bon Iver (Jagjaguwar) WINNER
Fontaines D.C. (XL Recordings)
Snapped Ankles (The Leaf Label)
SOPHIE (Transgressive)
One To Watch (in association with BBC Introducing)
BINA. (TLD Records) WINNER
anaiis (5dB Records)
Chloe Qisha (VLF Records /Are You Serious Records)
Cristale (Believe)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
Popeth (Recordiau Cosh Records) WINNER
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
First Time Flyers (Lookout Mountain)
IN PARALLEL (Method 808)
NDOTZ (Chosen Flystr8)
Best Independent Label
XL Recordings WINNER
Because Music
Communion Records
Modern Sky UK
Transgressive Records
Best Boutique Label (in association with Qobuz)
AD 93 WINNER
Clasico Records
Flystr8
Submarine Cat Records
Untitled (recs)
Best Independent Record Store
Wax & Beans (Bury) WINNER
Art Beats (Saffron Walden)
A Slice of Vinyl (Gosport)
Raven Records (Camden, London)
Spinning Around Records (Wellington, Telford)
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Karen Emanuel (Key Productions) WINNER
DEI Champion
ESEA Music WINNER
Independent Music Champion (in association with PRS for Music)
Bandcamp WINNER
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