The nominations shortlist for the sixth annual AIM Awards has been revealed at an exclusive launch event at House of Vans London.
Taking place at The Brewery, London, on September 6, the AIM Independent Music Awards set out to celebrate the finest achievements in the world of independent artists, labels and live events.
A total of 47 artists are competing for nine artist awards, with Christine And The Queens, Field Music, Flume, Radiohead, Roots Manuva, Skepta and Wolf Alice all up for two awards each.
Meanwhile, the coveted Independent Label of the Year Award will be contested by
Because Music, Bella Union, Epitaph/ANTI, Moshi Moshi and Ninja Tune, while Beatnik Creative, Earth Recordings, Holy Roar, Local Action and Numbers will battle it out for the Best Small Label award.
One of the most notable features of this year’s shortlist, according to AIM, is the diversity of nominations on display.
“Where else other than the AIM Awards would you find grime acts going head to head with hardcore punk bands and electronic producers?’ said AIM CEO Alison Wenham. “The shortlisted nominees represent a huge diversity of artist and genres, and highlight the fact that the best place to be in the music industry right now is the independent sector.”
See the full list of nominees below.
BEST SMALL LABEL (in association with Proper Music Distribution)
Beatnik Creative
Earth Recordings
Holy Roar
Local Action
Numbers
BEST DIFFICULT SECOND ALBUM (in association with Radio X)
Daughter – Not To Disappear
Fat White Family – Songs For Our Mothers
Melt Yourself Down – Last Evenings On Earth
Money – Suicide Songs
Savages – Adore Life
SPECIAL CATALOGUE RELEASE OF THE YEAR (In association with MODO)
British Sea Power – The Compleat Illustrated British Sea Power (Vol. 1)
Mikael Tariverdiev – Film Music
Slade – When Slade Rocked The World
Various Artists – Ork Records: New York, New York
Various Artists – Leaf 20 Box Set
HARDEST WORKING BAND OR ARTIST
Darren Hayman
Kamasi Washington
Martyn Joseph
Run The Jewels
Shaodow
GOLDEN WELLY AWARD FOR BEST INDEPENDENT FESTIVAL In association with AIF, voted for via DIYmag.com)
Barn On The Farm
Beat Herder
Brainchild Festival
Pete The Monkey
Strawberries & Creem Festival
INDEPENDENT BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR (in association with YouTube)
Christine And The Queens
Father John Misty
Flume
Neck Deep
PVRIS
Stormzy
INDIE CHAMPION AWARD (in association with CI)
Chris Bye - Arts Council England / Liverpool Sound City
Jen Long – DICE
Jess Partridge - London In Stereo
Jon Tolley – Banquet Records
Mary Anne Hobbs – BBC 6Music
INDEPENDENT VIDEO OF THE YEAR (in association with Vevo)
Darwin Deez – The Mess She Made
Grimes – Kill V. Maim
Kaytranada – Lite Spots
Oscar – Sometimes
Yeasayer – I Am Chemistry
BEST LIVE ACT (voted for by visitors to Songkick)
Babymetal
Caravan Palace
Courteeners
Sunset Sons
Wolf Alice
INDEPENDENT TRACK OF THE YEAR (in association with MCPS)
Adele – Hello
Christine And The Queens – Tilted
Field Music – The Noisy Days Are Over
Flume – Never Be Like You
Ghetts x Rude Kid – One Take
Major Lazer ft Nyla & Fuse ODG – Light It Up [remix]
Protoje Ft Chronixx – Who Knows
Radiohead – Burn The Witch
Skepta – Man
Roots Manuva – Don’t Breathe Out
PPL AWARD FOR MOST PLAYED NEW INDEPENDENT ACT
KDA
Sigala
Wolf Alice
Tchami
INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR (In association with The Orchard)
ARCA – Mutant
Brian Eno – The Ship
Field Music – Commontime
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Blossom
Lapsley – Long Way Home
Little Simz – A Curious Tale Of Trials + Persons
Press To Meco – Good Intent
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Roots Manuva – Bleeds
Skepta – Konnichiwa
INDEPENDENT LABEL OF THE YEAR (In association with Believe Digital)
Because Music
Bella Union
Epitaph/ANTI
Moshi Moshi
Ninja Tune
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC (in association with Amazon Music)
Roisin Murphy
PIONEER AWARD
Richard Russell, XL Recordings
INNOVATOR AWARD (in association with FUGA)
TBA
