Category Criteria

Recognising artists within the independent sector who have seen their breakthrough moment in the last year. The artist must be signed to a UK/ROI based independent label or be a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Recognising the best independent tracks of the past year. The track must have been released by a UK/ROI based independent label or be self-released by an artist based in the UK/ROI. The track must have been released between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Recognising the best independent remix of the past year. This award goes to both the Remixer and the label or self-releaser that released the remix. The track must have been released by a UK/ROI based independent label or by a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The track must have been released between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Recognising the best independent mixtape/EP of the past year. The mixtape/EP must be by an artist signed to a UK/ROI based independent label or be independently self-released based in the UK/ROI. The mixtape/EP must have been released between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Recognising the best independent album of the past year. The album must be by an artist signed to a UK/ROI based independent label or by a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The album must also have been released between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Recognising the best independent music video of the past year. The video must be for a track released by an UK/ROI based independent label/distributor or by a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The video must have been released between 26th April 2025 and 26th April 2026. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our specialist video jury.

Celebrating the creativity that compliments and amplifies the spirit of the music, contributing to an enhanced experience for the fans. Campaigns may include physical and/or digital release, artist appearances and new ways of connecting the music with fans, or may simply be an incredibly artistic release. This award goes to the label or self-releasing artist who has handled the campaign. The release must have been between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026 and released by a UK/ROI-based independent label or by a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. Final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Recognising exceptional live performers within the independent sector for the past year. Performers can include DJs, groups or individuals, and sets can include live streamed and in-person events. The artist must either be signed to a UK/ROI based independent record label or be a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. All entries for this category will be entered in an online poll where a public vote will decide the nominees and winners.

Recognising a promising emerging artist within the independent music community who is creating waves. The artist must either be signed to a UK/ROI based independent record label or be a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our judging panel of music experts.

Recognising the best catalogue releases of the past year by a UK/ROI-based independent label or by a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI. The original release (Single, EP or album) must have been released at least two years prior to 26th April 2026. The eligible release then must have been reissued between 26th April 2025 and 31st May 2026. A reissue is a new edition of a previously release, often remastered or with new features such as updated artwork, bonus tracks, or special packaging. Covers and Remixes are not eligible in this category (see Best Release Campaign, Best Independent Remix for these). The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by our panel of expert judges.

Shining a light on an individual (or individuals) within the independent community who has been the driving force in founding or building a business, while displaying considerable innovation and success within the independent music sector. Nominations can be for individuals at any stage of their career but entries must demonstrate the following throughout their entrepreneurial career with particular reference to the last 12 months. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Do you know someone who's been a risk-taker, an early adopter, who’s put it all on the line to achieve a vision that perhaps only they can see... yet? Tell us about them here! The form takes less than two minutes - we just need name and contact info. We’ll then get in touch with them directly. They can also nominate themselves at independentmusicawards.co.uk

Criteria – should have examples of at least two of these:

1. Entrepreneurship: Founder or leader of a business or business division, the driving force behind success through a pioneering approach, demonstrating business acumen, dynamism, innovation, audacity, tenacity.

2. Success: Identifying or developing a new market/audience or generating considerable new value in existing markets through innovation along with evidence of substantial impact on that market.

3. Vision: Evidence of understanding and capitalising on opportunities, taking risks, or overcoming significant challenges to create success.

Nominations must include details of this person’s entrepreneurship and success, and ideally case studies/examples and testimonials from their colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

Recognising music businesses who prove that you don’t have to be big to win big! The business must be UK/ROI based and must have an annual turnover of less than £250,000 and/or fewer than three full-time members of label staff worldwide. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Recognising excellence in the independent music business community. This can be a UK/ROI based record label of any size or scale who has shown exceptional success or innovation, particularly over the past year. The final nominees and winners of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Shining a light on individuals or businesses who have demonstrated unwavering and exceptional support for the independent community over the past year. Previous recipients have been DJs, journalists, promoters, community organisers, campaigners, business leaders, and more!

Do you know someone who's been there for independent music and community? You can nominate them here or tell them to nominate themselves as ‘Independent Champion' at independentmusicawards.co.uk! The form takes less than two minutes - we just need name and contact info. We’ll then get in touch with them directly. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

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Celebrating the key partners, cultural hubs and avenues for music discovery that are great independent record stores. This category shines a light on stores which have demonstrated exceptional support to independent music or community over the past year. The store must have a physical presence in the UK/ROI. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

This category gives the independent music community an opportunity to shine a light on an individual within music who has used their position or platform to achieve something truly impactful in the cause of improving diversity, equity and inclusion. Our DEI Champion could be an artist, a business leader or anyone else who has recently done great impactful work, or perhaps has been working on this over many years. Their passion and drive to level the playing field in music or wider society will be embedded in their work and business, rather than it being something they are directly employed to do. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board along with equity, diversity and inclusion advisors.

Do you know someone who has shown innovation and courage and done incredible things to drive the cause in DEI? Nominate them here! or tell them to nominate themselves as 'DEI Champion' at independentmusicawards.co.uk! The form takes less than two minutes - we just need name and contact info. We’ll then get in touch with them directly.

Guidance:
· DEI focus and activity may vary depending on the challenge being addressed, geographical specifics and other factors
· Work around any of the nine protected characteristics (as recognised under the Equality Act) as well as other barriers to success such as socio-economic or regional factors, etc. will be considered
· As work in this area can take a long time to see results, we will consider early-stage impacts that look promising in creating lasting changes.

Innovation is at the heart of the success of the independent music community. For years, this community has led the way, pushing the boundaries into new reaches of creative endeavour. This award celebrates the rule-breakers, entrepreneurs and artists who embody that spirit. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Recognising an individual, collective or business within the independent music community who has made an absolutely outstanding contribution to music or the music ecosystem, particularly those who reflect the ethos of independence: creative freedom, innovation, and ethical artist-first approaches. The winner of this award will be decided by the AIM Board.

Qualifying acts must be independent (not on a major or major subsidiary - as per the OCC’s definition of independent) ), signed to a UK/ROI based independent label/distributor or be a self-releasing artist based in the UK/ROI and must not have released a studio album prior to 1st January 2025 OR must not have been active (commercially releasing music) for more than 5 years prior to 1st January 2025. The data used to decide the nominees and winner covers all PPL UK Broadcast (TV and Radio) usage from 1st May 2025 up to and including 30th April 2026.