AIM INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS 2025: Independence Scores Its Annual Victory Lap at the Roundhouse
15th anniversary edition takes place at London’s Roundhouse on 23 September
The AIM Independent Music Awards will roll out its annual round of laurels, love letters, and gently subversive industry corrections.
Cosey Fanni Tutti will receive the Innovator Award, a title that feels almost redundant for an artist who has spent five decades refusing to colour inside any line. From COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle to CarterTutti, she’s built a career on making the unmarketable magnetic. Her influence runs from Björk to Nine Inch Nails, and her recent albums on her own Conspiracy International label prove she’s still not taking notes from anyone else’s playbook.
Public vote favourites Shed Seven will be crowned Best Live Performer, a testament that charisma and perspiration trump algorithmic audience. Fellow nominees were Elles Bailey, Alison Moyet, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, and Wunderhorse testimony that “live” still counts in the livestream fatigue era.
Bandcamp takes home the Independent Music Champion, recognised for its stubborn insistence on giving 82% of sales revenue to artists, an act of generosity that now reads like a quiet rebellion.
Leading the nominees are Ezra Collective and Fontaines D.C., each having three nominations such as Best Independent Video. Shortlists range from Aitch’s five-month release promotion for 4 to SOPHIE’s release campaign following the musician’s death, Bon Iver’s salmon-coloured merchandise to Snapped Ankles’ protest art.
The categories range from Best Boutique Label to Best Independent Record Store, and the names such as AD 93, Untitled (Recs), Wax and Beans, and Raven Records maintain the grassroots prominence. Performances will be provided by Moonchild Sanelly, our favourites Coach Party, and Ayanna Witter-Johnson, musicians who, like the awards themselves, do not regard genre constraints as anything other than good manners.
AIM Chief Executive Gee Davy refers to the awards as “a celebration of the whole ecosystem that enables independent music to flourish.” In reality, it’s also a roll call of the successful innovators who’ve remained solvent and unassimilated, which is no mean achievement in 2025.
About AIM
AIM is the not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music sector and community, which makes up close to a third of the UK’s recorded music market. Now in its 27th year, AIM’s 1000+ members range from the largest, most respected independent record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. They include Black Acre, Because Music, Beggars Group (4AD, Matador, Rough Trade Records, XL Recordings and Young), Chrysalis / Blue Raincoat, Domino, Finesse Foreva, HQ Familia, The Leaf Label, London Records, Ninja Tune, Numbers, Partisan, Transgressive, Scruff of the Neck, Secretly Canadian, Stones Throw, and Warp.
AIM exists to level the playing field for independent music businesses and entrepreneurs – the beating heart of UK music. Regardless of genre, background, income, identity, or location, AIM provides access to the knowledge and contacts creative entrepreneurs need to create, build, and succeed.
AIM champions talent and innovation in the independent music community at its annual Independent Music Awards, which recognise global success and the best emerging talent in the sector. It also provides professional development and insight sessions throughout the year as part of the AIM Academy, and through its regular conference programme, comprising AIM Connected, AIM Syncand AIM’s Future Independents.
