Domino’s Wet Leg were honored Wednesday with the U.K. Independent Breakthrough award at The AIM Independent Music Awards, while Rough Trade Records was named Best Independent Label.
Cleo Sol and Nilüfer Yanya received album awards and Nova Twins took home Best Independent Track for “Antagonist” (Marshall Records) at the ceremony held at London’s Roundhouse.
Local Action was named Best Boutique Label, Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot of [PIAS] were awarded Independent Champion, and Defenders Ent. CEO Corey Johnson received the newly created Music Entrepreneur of the Year award.
The Libertines and Stormzy were among the recipients of special awards.
“Tonight is about us as a community celebrating the incredible successes of the world-beating UK independent music sector,” AIM CEO Paul Pacifico said at the show’s open. “It is a hugely competitive market out there, but we understand that we are stronger together and a win for one of us is a win for all of us.”
The winners:
Diversity Champion
Stormzy
Best Independent Album in association with Spotify
Cleo Sol - Mother (Forever Living Originals)
Best Independent Track in association with Meta
Nova Twins - Antagonist (Marshall Records)
UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music
Wet Leg (Domino)
International Breakthrough in association with Deezer
Blxst (Red Bull Records)
Best Live Performer
Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC 6 Music
Nilüfer Yanya - ‘Painless’ (ATO Records)
Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music
Rina Sawayama
Outstanding Contribution to Music in association with Merlin
Lethal Bizzle
Special Recognition
The Libertines (Rough Trade)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
TAAHLIAH - Angelica (untitled (recs))
Best Independent Remix
Champion remix of Ibeyi – “Lavender & Red Roses” f/Jorja Smith' (XL Recordings)
One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing
Nia Archives (HIJINXX)
Best Independent Video in association with VEVO
Jeshi – “3210” (Because Music)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
D.O.D (Axtone Records)
Best Creative Campaign in association with Able
Maylee Todd - Maloo campaign from Stones Throw Records
Best Independent Label
Rough Trade Records
Best Boutique Label
Local Action
Independent Champion in association with MCPS
Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot of [PIAS]
Music Entrepreneur Of The Year
Corey Johnson - CEO & Founder of Defenders Ent.
