Yesterday (September 22), Europe’s biggest names in independent music gathered to celebrate the year’s biggest releases. Recording artists, producers, label heads, record store owners, and more descended on Roundhouse in London for the Association of Independent Music’s (AIM) annual ceremony, the Independent Music Awards.
While Fcukers and Robyn led the 2026 Independent Music Awards nomination pack, the night ended in an even split. Robyn’s Sexistential snagged the win for Best Independent Album. Fcukers’ Ö took home the trophy for Best Release Campaign. Other notable winners include Jorja Smith (Best Independent Track), Jim Legxacy (Best Independent EP/Mixtape), and Jalen Ngonda (Independent Breakthrough).
As far as the special categories, Fabio & Grooverider were bestowed the Innovator Award. Pauline Black was named Outstanding Contribution to Music, Mark Lippmann was dubbed the Music Entrepreneur of the Year, Cre8ing Vision was crowned the DEI Champion, and Qobuz was labeled this year’s Independent Music Champion.
Continue below to view the full list of winners from the 2026 Independent Music Awards.
The 2026 Independent Music Awards were held on September 22, 2026, at the Roundhouse in London, England. For more information about the annual event, click here.
Best Independent Track in association with Meta
DEBBY FRIDAY – “Bet On Me” (Sub Pop Records)
Fcukers – “L.U.C.K.Y” (Ninja Tune)
Genesis Owusu – “Stampede” (Ourness)
Jalen Ngonda – “Doctrine of Love” (Daptone Records)
Jim Legxacy – “3x” (XL Recordings)
Jorja Smith – “The Way I Love You” (FAMM) — WINNER
Nova Twins – “Piranha” (Marshall Records)
Robyn – “Dopamine” (Young / Konichiwa)
Romy – “Love Who You Love” (Young)
Tiana Major9 – “desire.” (+1 Records)
Best Independent Album in association with Spotify
BICEP – TAKKUUK (Original Soundtrack) (Ninja Tune, EarthSonic)
Blawan – SickElixir (XL Recordings)
Fcukers – Ö (Ninja Tune)
Geese – Getting Killed (Partisan Records/PIAS)
Mitski – Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies (Marshall Records)
Prostitute – Attempted Martyr (Mute)
Robyn – Sexistential (Young / Konichiwa) — WINNER
SCALER – Endlessly (Black Acre)
Thundercat – Distracted (Brainfeeder)
Independent Breakthrough in association with Amazon Music
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)
Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records) — WINNER
Tiana Major9 (+1 Records)
Ego Ella May (Believe UK)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape in association with NOTION
Bricknasty – Blacks Law (FAMM)
Jim Legxacy – black british music (2025) (XL Recordings) — WINNER
Naima Bock – Live in Toulon (Sub Pop Records)
Strandz – Diaspora Dance Music (Strandz Music)
TTSSFU – Blown (Partisan Records)
Best Independent Remix
“If We Ever (High Contrast Remix)” by Overmono (XL Recordings)
“Love Who You Love (SHERELLE’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix)” by Sherelle & Romy (Young) — WINNER
“Sexistential (Arca’s Take)” by Robyn (Young / Konichiwa)
“The Way I Love You (TS7 Remix)” by TS7 & Jorja Smith (FAMM)
“You (Donae’O Remix)” by Donae’O & House Gospel Choir (Swear Down Music)
One to Watch in association with BBC Music Introducing
Ashaine White (Marshall Records)
Alewya (LDN Records)
Lauren Auder (untitled (recs))
Mandy, Indiana (Sacred Bones Records)
Native James (Saviour Music) — WINNER
Best Independent Video
Zak Watson (director) for Antony Szmierek’s “The Heron” (Mushroom Music)
Yorgos Lanthimos (director) for Jerskin Fendrix’s “Beth’s Farm” (untitled (recs))
Noel Paul (director) for Mitski’s “Where’s My Phone” (Dead Oceans)
Léa Esmaili (director) for Thundercat’s “She Knows Too Much” featuring Mac Miller (Brainfeeder) — WINNER
OCURENS (director) for Tinie Tempah, Skepsis & Carla Monroe’s “Eat It Up” (Imhotep Records)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist – in association with PPL
bees & honey — WINNER
Beyond Chicago
Clementine Douglas
Jim Legxacy
Poppy Baskcomb
Best Live Performer
Amelia Coburn (Quiet Crown)
Billy Lockett (Lockett Records) — WINNER
High Fade (RPN RECORDS)
Katherine Priddy (Cooking Vinyl)
The Molotovs (Marshall Records)
Best Independent Label – in association with IDOL
Because Music — WINNER
Dead Oceans
FAMM
Ninja Tune
Tru Thoughts
Best Boutique Label – in association with Quboz
Big Scary Monsters
Black Acre
TLD Records
Sweardown
untitled (recs) — WINNER
Best Catalogue Release
The Alan Parsons Project – I Robot (Cooking Vinyl) — WINNER
Haruomi Hosono – Tropical Dandy (Stones Throw)
Lush – Gala (2025 Remaster) (4AD)
Orbital – The Brown Album (London Records)
Toyah – Chameleon – The Very Best of Toyah (Cherry Red Records)
Best Release Campaign in association with Hey! What?
Fcukers – Ö (Ninja Tune) — WINNER
Geese – Getting Killed (Partisan Records)
Genesis Owusu – REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE (Ourness/Believe)
Kettama – Archangel (Steel City Dance Discs)
Mitski – Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
Wet Leg – moisturizer (Domino Recording Co)
Best Independent Record Store
Applestump Records
Jacaranda Records — WINNER
Just Dropped IN
Ignite Record Store
Slow Century Records
Innovator Award Winner
Fabio & Grooverider
Outstanding Contribution to Music in association with Merlin
Pauline Black
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Mark Lippmann
DEI Champion
Cre8ing Vision
Independent Music Champion in association with PRS for Music
Qobuz