Association of Independent Music‘s (AIM) coveted annual ceremony is ready to celebrate its sweet sixteen. On September 22, the United Kingdom’s independent music community will descend on Roundhouse in London. The celebration is none other than the 2026 Independent Music Awards (16th annual).
After split announcements, the full nomination list has been unveiled. Leading the pack are Fcukers and Robyn with three nominations apiece. Both acts will face off for Best Independent Track (Fcukers for “L.U.C.K.Y” & Robyn for “Dopamine”) and Best Independent Album (Fcukers for Ö and Robyn for Sexistential),
Fcukers is also up for Independent Breakthrough. While Robyn snagged a nod for Best Independent Remix (“Sexistential (Arca’s Take)”).
The second most nominated acts are all tied with 2 nods. The following artists are tied closely behind with 2 nominations each—Jalen Ngonda (Independent Track, Independent Breakthrough), Jim Legxacy (Independent Track, Independent EP/Mixtape), Jorja Smith (Independent Track, Independent Remix), Nova Twins (Independent Track, Best Independent Album), Romy (Independent Track, Independent Remix), and Tiana Major9 (Independent Track, Independent Breakthrough).
In a statement shared alongside the nomination list, AIM’s CEO Gee Davy expressed her excitement about this year’s categories.
“The array of artists and genres on display here demonstrates once again that the independent music sector is the most exciting, authentic and groundbreaking place in the industry,” said Davy. “Following our 15th Anniversary edition of the Awards last year, we have a fresh new look and feel, reflecting the consistent evolution of the independent music sector.”
In addition to the competitive categories, the annual event honored organizations, companies, and professionals in speciality slots. So far, Fabio & Grooverider have been revealed to be this year’s Innovator Award recipient. But the Outstanding Contribution To Music, Music Entrepreneur of the Year, DEI Champion, and Independent Music Champion recipients have not yet been shared.
While a panel of expert judges cast their ballots for this year’s nominees, there are two public voting categories—Best Independent Records Store and Best Live Performer. The 2026 Best Independent Records Store nominees are Applestump Records, Jacaranda Records, Just Dropped IN, Ignite Record Store, and Slow Century Records. The 2026 Best Live Performer nominees are Amelia Coburn, Billy Lockett, High Fade, Katherine Priddy, and The Molotovs. To enter your ballot for Best Independent Records Store, click here. To enter your ballot for Best Live Performer, click here.
This year’s forthcoming event features a newly introduced category, Best Catalogue Release, which already features some stiff competition.
The 2026 Independent Music Awards are set to take place on September 22, 2026, at the Roundhouse in London, England. For more information or to purchase tickets to the ceremony, click here.
Continue below to view the full 2026 Independent Music Awards nomination list.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
“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)
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)
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
Beyond Chicago
Clementine Douglas
Jim Legxacy
Poppy Baskcomb
Best Live Performer
Amelia Coburn (Quiet Crown)
Billy Lockett (Lockett Records)
High Fade (RPN RECORDS)
Katherine Priddy (Cooking Vinyl)
The Molotovs (Marshall Records)
Best Independent Label – in association with IDOL
Because Music
Dead Oceans
FAMM
Ninja Tune
Tru Thoughts
Best Boutique Label – in association with Quboz
Big Scary Monsters
Black Acre
TLD Records
Sweardown
untitled (recs)
Best Catalogue Release
The Alan Parsons Project – I Robot (Cooking Vinyl)
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?
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
Just Dropped IN
Ignite Record Store
Slow Century Records
Innovator Award Winner
Fabio & Grooverider