AIM Awards reveals details of judging panel and brings date forward 12 Apr 2021
- AIM Awards unveils eclectic broadcasters and tastemakers on its judging panel
- Independent music’s spotlight night moves forward to Wednesday 25 August
The AIM Independent Music Awards has announced an eclectic list of broadcasters and tastemakers making up the judging panel for its 2021 event, and moved forward to a new date on Wednesday 25 August, for what is gearing up to be the event’s most dazzling ceremony yet.
Celebrating the dynamism, innovation and resilience of the independent sector over one of the most challenging years in its history, the event will build on last year’s groundbreaking experience with a livestreamed show and extra content on the AIM Awards app to create an immersive virtual showcase event, featuring performances from some of the world’s leading independent artists.
Submissions are now open for this year’s awards until midday on Tuesday 4 May. All submissions are free for AIM’s Rightsholder / Distributor Members. Several categories including Best Small Label, Best Independent Remix, One to Watch and - new for this year – Diversity Champion, are free for anyone to submit to. Submissions can be made via the awards’ website: www.aimawards.co.uk.
The judging panel for this year’s event will feature some of the UK’s leading tastemakers, representing a diverse range of genres, broadcasters and publications. They include: Amazing Radio, BBC Cymru, BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Capital XTRA, ChillDaBeats, DIY Mag, DJ Mag, Dummy Mag, gal-dem, Kerrang!, Line of Best Fit, Mixmag, Mixtape Madness, The Quietus, The Skinny, The Telegraph, TRENCH and Worldwide FM.
Nadia Khan, AIM Chair and Founder of Women In CTRL, said: “Once again AIM has pulled together a diverse and eclectic mix of tastemakers for this year’s AIM Awards, representing a cross-section of music genre expertise as well as diversity of locations and backgrounds, which is, after all, fundamentally representative of the independent music sector as a whole. 2020 was a hugely challenging year, but that didn’t stop the UK's independent music sector from releasing some of the most innovate and exciting music in the world. Picking the winners will not be easy with so much talent to choose from.”
Gee Davy, COO of AIM said "Holding the Awards for a second year as a virtual event is incredibly exciting. It has given AIM scope to be as experimental and innovative as our members and to build on the foundations of our gripping immersive show last year. The new date at the end of summer will be at a time, we hope, of renewed positivity and optimism for the music community and for the world at large - a fitting time for AIM to celebrate and showcase the best and brightest independent talent."
2021 AIM Independent Music Awards Categories
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with YouTube Music)
International Breakthrough
Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)
Best Independent Track (in association with Facebook)
Best Independent Remix (in association with SoundCloud)
Best Independent Video
Best [Difficult] Second Album
Best Independent Label
Best Small Label
One to Watch (in association with BBC Music Introducing)
Best Live [Streamed] Act - *new for 2021*
Best Creative Packaging
Diversity Champion - *new for 2021*
Indie Champion
Innovator Award (in association with Amazon Music)
Outstanding Contribution to Music (in association with Merlin)
Pioneer Award
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
AIM thanks its Annual Platinum Partners, Amazon Music, Facebook, Merlin, PPL, Spotify, and YouTube Music, whose support helps to make AIM’s annual programming, including the AIM Independent Music Awards, possible.
Socials
Facebook: AIMIndependentMusicAwards
Twitter: @AIMAwards
Instagram: @AIMAwards
NEWS & PRESS
PPL makes payment of £96.7 million to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders
PPL is making a Q2 payment of £96.7 million to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders. This distribution is comprised primarily of payments for UK collections across public performance and broadcast licensing in 2024, as well as some additional revenue from international...more
HFA's Rumblefish Provides Music Rights Administration Services to ByteDance
HFA’s Rumblefish, a trusted provider of comprehensive music industry rights administration services, is pleased to announce that it has been engaged to provide data, licensing, and royalty management services to support ByteDance’s TikTok and CapCut products. TikTok is a social...more
Jack Delaney promoted to General Manager at Murray Chalmers PR
Jack Delaney has been promoted to the role of General Manager at Murray Chalmers PR, effective immediately. Jack will work with Murray in developing and implementing business operations whilst continuing to work on specific client accounts including Headie One, Lily Allen,...more
“Unimaginable in any other sector†- Impala’s Helen Smith on planned Downtown acquisition
Op-ed originally published on Music Ally on 25th June 2025 “Unimaginable in any other sector” All markets need big companies. And the world’s biggest music company is more than that. UMG is innovative and bullish. And a great collaborator on so many issues. The only question...more
Wise Music Group signs publishing deal with Gloria De Oliveira
Wise Music Group is happy to announce that Gloria de Oliveira has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Berlin-based Bosworth Music GmbH and Random Musick Publishing. Writing and performing music since childhood, Gloria de Oliveira’s creative journey has led her...more
ESNS turns 40: ‘Europe Calling’ to lead anniversary celebrations in January
ESNS TURNS 40: ‘EUROPE CALLING’ TO LEAD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN JANUARY In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, cultural fragmentation and rapid industry shifts, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) will celebrate its 40th anniversary in January 2026 and responds with a strong, unifying...more
Cliff Fluet to Lead Board of Industry Leaders as Chair of Music Technology UK
Newly appointed board to include Helen Sartory, Beatport; Claire Mas, Spitfire Audio; Gareth Deakin, Sonorous Global Music Technology UK (MTUK), the UK's only trade association dedicated to supporting music tech startups, today announced the appointment of Cliff Fluet as its inaugural Chair,...more
SymphonyOS Gives Maestro, its AI Marketing Assistant, a Powerful Upgrade
Reimagined marketing assistant launches as SymphonyOS teams up with Groover to offer artists more promo power Artists at every stage of their journey now have a powerful new marketing tool to guide them: Maestro, the reimagined AI assistant from SymphonyOS. A...more
New board of the European Music Council elected
Within the frame of the Annual Meeting of the European Music Council the members have elected a new board on 26 June 2025, for the next 2 years.The EMC Board is now including 8 representatives of EMC members to decide on content...more
Universal Music Group named to Time's 2025 list of the 100 most influential companies
UMG’s inclusion in the TIME100 marks the first appearance of a major music company since the list’s inception Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, was named to TIME’s fifth-annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, highlighting companies making an extraordinary impact around...more
StrmMusic Appoints Geoff Cubitt CEO of StrmMusic North America amid Global Expansion
Digital innovation leader takes the helm to accelerate StrmMusic’s growth in the US and Canada, establishes HQ in Chicago StrmMusic, the smart label supercharging artists’ trajectories, has announced the appointment of Geoff Cubitt as CEO of StrmMusic North America. The company...more
oiid Integrates Music AI to Scale Its Interactive Direct-to-Fan Apps
oiid, the company that makes artist branded superfan apps, has now integrated Music AI’s state-of-the-art stem separation technology into its artist-based apps.The integration will help artists at all stages of their careers to engage fans like never before, enabling fans...more
Wise Music Group signs Austrian/American composer Lukas Ligeti
Edition Peters, part of Wise Music Group, is delighted to announce the signing of composer, drummer, and visionary musical innovator Lukas Ligeti to its roster. Known for his groundbreaking work across genres and continents, Ligeti has forged a unique path through...more
Full dates & locations for all Official Oasis Live '25
Fan Stores revealed London, Birmingham, Edinburgh & Dublin store details revealed, alongside Manchester and Cardiff Official Oasis Live ‘25 merchandise collection unveiled, available to shop in store and online Exclusive brand collaborations, including ‘adidas Originals x Oasis’ Ahead of the sold-out Oasis world tour,...more
Outernet London - the UKs most visited cultural attraction - seeks naming rights partner
Outernet, the most visited cultural attraction in the UK announces today for the first time its search for a naming rights partner with branding opportunities across the entire Outernet district - right in the heart of central London. As well...more
Co-op Live becomes first European arena to launch Virtual Venue with Ticketmaster
Co-op Live has become the first arena outside of North America to launch Virtual Venue, Ticketmaster’s cutting-edge 3D tool that lets fans preview their view from seat before purchasing. Powered by Ticketmaster, Virtual Venue allows fans to explore 360-degree views from...more
Sony Music Publishing Appoints Margherita Gnech as Managing Director of Italy
Today Sony Music Publishing announced the promotion of Margherita Gnech to Managing Director of Italy, effective immediately. As Managing Director, Gnech will be responsible for overseeing creative and business operations across SMP Italy, driving the company’s growth and innovation in one...more
Symphonic Distribution and Humanable Announce Strategic Partnership to Protect Human-Made Music
Humanable, the patent-pending, artist-first solution to Generative AI’s (GenAI) disruption of the music ecosystem, has entered into a strategic partnership with Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists. Under the partnership, Humanable...more
Bucks signs admin deal with independent label Bigo & Twigetti
Digital-first classical and electronica label has earned over 500m streams over the last two years Bucks Music Group has signed an administration deal with London-based independent record label Bigo & Twigetti. Bigo & Twigetti mixes classical music, electronica, sound design and more....more
Soundstripe Brings Industry-First Interactive Smart Assistant to Music Search
Thanks to Supe, Soundstripe’s just-launched AI search assistant, the first of its kind, creatives can now find the right track for every project faster. Shorthand for music supervisor—the expert whose comprehensive musical knowledge gets projects over the finish line—this new...more
SourceAudio and Musical AI Ink Strategic Partnership Adding Output Attribution To Most Comprehensive AI Music Dataset Marketplace
First and leading service for ethical generative AI music licensing and first true attribution tech provider for AI join forces to support growing demand for fairly trained AI models. SourceAudio and Musical AI are announcing a strategic partnership that will unite their AI expertise...more
Music Venue Properties announce second £500,000 loan facility agreement with Figurative
Music Venue Properties (MVP), the pioneering Charitable Community Benefit Society created by Music Venue Trust (MVT), has announced a second £500,000 loan agreement with Figurative - an independent not-for-profit supporting impact, investment and innovation in the cultural and creative sector (CCS) -...more
IDOL appoints Johann Böhringer as General Manager, Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- To lead IDOL’s Berlin office, overseeing its GAS roster and business development- Will lead new SPRINTS album rollout via City Slang, announced yesterday- Also signs ex-Ninja Tune/Brainfeeder electronic producer Dorian Concept to global distribution and services deal Independent distributor IDOL,...more
Dancefloor Launches 'Pro' Platform to Empower Nightlife Promoters
Dancefloor today announced the official launch of Dancefloor Pro, a purpose-built platform designed to empower promoters and venue operators. More than just a discovery tool, Dancefloor is the ultimate event promotion hub that goes above and beyond ticketing by providing...more
Impala announces the launch of new 'Label Camp' project to boost cross-border collaboration among independent music companies
IMPALA is launching a new initiative designed to foster cross-border collaboration, peer learning and capacity building among independent labels across Europe. This new 'Label Camp' project is part of IMPALA’s EU network programme, which co-funds certain projects, boosting the organisation’s work...more
Multi-platinum artist James Arthur signs global publishing deal with BMG
BMG is proud to announce that it has signed multi-platinum singer-songwriter James Arthur, to an exclusive global publishing agreement. One of the UK’s most successful contemporary artists, Arthur has built a reputation as a powerful storyteller, blending raw emotion with genre-spanning...more
UK festivals counted for first time in AIF Festival Forecast 2025
Live Nation owns all but one of four major festivals above 80,000 capacity. Festival Forecast 2025 here. The UK's festival sector has been counted in full for the first time as part of The Association of Independent Festivals' Festival Forecast 2025. New AIF research has...more
Live music to be revolutionised with unprecedented performances
JACK SAUNDERS CONFIRMED TO HOST FIRST EVER "GREATEST MUSIC ARTISTS" MUSIC ARTISTS TO EXPLORE AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT WITHOUT LIMITATIONTechnology and artistry at the forefront of new live concept On 15 November 2025 a groundbreaking new show will debut, allowing exceptional music artists the chance to...more
Scotland's national music prize unveils Dundee as new location for 2025
SAY AWARD DESIGN COMMISSION NOW OPEN FOR CREATIVES IN UNESCO CITY OF DESIGN PLUS, 2024 WINNERS REDOLENT SET TO PERFORM AT CEREMONY Early-bird tickets on sale via www.sayaward.com View images HERE #SAYaward #SAYDundee Scotland’s national music prize, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, has unveiled a...more
Music Growth Package - statements
Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum: "The MMF welcomes the incoming Music Growth Package and the Government's recognition of a need for progress on areas including streaming reform, EU touring, and grassroots live music. The UK should be the best...more
THE HEADLINES
Selected Glastonbury coverage (see News, Features, Showbiz, Reviews)
Streaming is both retail and radio – it shouldn’t be (see Comment)
Impala’s Helen Smith on UMG's planned Downtown acquisition (see Comment)
Retiring Arista CEO David Massey shares his top 10 career highlights (see Features)
Budweiser’s royalty loophole ad: How AI and social have changed the value of creators (see Comment)
When did making music get so lonely? (see Comment)
How will Taylor Swift’s masters ownership saga be remembered? (see Audio&Visual)
The copyright war between the AI industry and creatives (see Comment)
Interview: Lyor Cohen, the head of YouTube Music (see Features)
The ‘pure’ songwriter is disappearing – and it’s everyone’s problem (see Comment)
What 20 years of YouTube reveals about creativity’s future (see Features)
Welcome to entertainment’s ‘Mad Max’ era. Here’s where it leads (see Comment)
Did Sony’s Rob Stringer just hand regulators the case to tank Universal’s Downtown dreams? (see Comment)