AIM’s 2025 Awards to explore the meaning of Independence in music

• Fifth edition at London’s Roundhouse to take place Tuesday 23rd September
• Celebrating 15 years championing the UK’s independent music sector
• Submissions now open here — deadline Wednesday 9th July
• Follows AIM Connected – the UK’s flagship independent music conference and networking event, moving to Rich Mix, Shoreditch on 9th September

The Independent Music Awards will return to iconic London music venue the Roundhouse on Tuesday 23rd September 2025.  

Now celebrating its 15th year, the event has established itself as the UK’s leading tastemaker award show, spotlighting the most culturally impactful and visionary artists, labels and entrepreneurs in independent music. The Independent Music Awards are organised by the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the organisation representing and championing the UK’s independent music community, which together makes up a third of the UK’s recorded music market.

This year’s milestone edition will explore the meaning of Independence in music, inviting the community to reflect on the sector’s outsized cultural impact and its core values of creative freedom, partnership and integrity in a variety of ways. 

The Independent Music Awards will continue to honour both emerging and globally successful talent across the full spectrum of independent music, with all of last year’s categories set to return. These include, ‘UK Independent Breakthrough’, ‘Best Independent EP/Mixtape,’ ‘Best Independent Remix’, ‘Best Independent Track’, ‘Best Independent Album’, ‘Best Independent Video’ and ‘One To Watch’, all celebrating the partnership of artists and businesses in building global success. Other artist-focused awards include the publicly-voted ‘Best Live Performer’ and the ‘PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist’. 

‘Best Independent Label’, ‘Best Boutique Label’, ‘Best Creative Campaign’, and ‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year’ will once again spotlight the people and teams driving success behind the scenes, while returning categories like ‘EDI (Equity Diversity Inclusion) Champion’ and ‘Independent Music Champion’ will recognise those in the wider music community making an exceptional impact on improving the industry and propelling independent music to greater heights. Last year’s newly-introduced ‘Best Independent Record Store’ category also returns, recognising not just the commercial importance of record stores but the crucial place they hold as community hubs. 

As part of its commitment to supporting independent music scenes throughout all regions and nations of the UK, 2025 will see the reintroduction of AIM’s ‘Local Music Champions’ (FKA ‘Local Heroes’, debuted in 2019), in collaboration with BBC Introducing. This badge of recognition shines a light on individuals across all regions and nations of the UK who have demonstrated unwavering support for their local music community or used their position to improve the wider ecosystem. 

Highlights of last year’s Awards included Sparks receiving the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ award to honour their remarkable five-decade career as they announced their signing with Transgressive Records, as well as Neneh Cherry collecting the ‘Innovator’ award. Music Venue Trust was named ‘Independent Music Champion’ and Totnes’ Drift Records was honoured with the first ever ‘Best Independent Record Store’ award. Other 2024 honourees included Sampha (Young), Jorja Smith (FAMM), Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), OneDa (Heavenly Recordings), Sonic Cathedral, and many more.

The Awards have long played a key role in recognising the global success that can be achieved by independents punching above their weight and amplifying the voices of independent talent well before mainstream recognition. Previous winners, such as Adele, Stormzy, Little Simz, IDLES, FKA Twigs, Dave, Ezra Collective, Wet Leg and Arlo Parks, have gone on to receive widespread acclaim, including accolades at the Ivors, Mercurys, MOBOs, BRITs or GRAMMYs.

Submissions are now open here and close at 23:59 on Wednesday 9th July. All AIM Rightsholder members can submit for free, whilst submission costs for those outside of AIM's membership are significantly lower than many other industry awards. Further discounts are also available to organisations connected with AIM, such as those who focus on encouraging further diversity in the industry. 

‘One To Watch’, ‘EDI Champion’, ‘Independent Music Champion’ and ‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year’ categories are entirely free for anyone to enter. Tickets will go on sale later in the summer, with full gala-style as well as low cost options to ensure everyone can be included. For more details and submission guidance, visit aimawards.co.uk.

The Independent Music Awards closes out AIM’s wider programme of events for 2025. It will follow shortly after AIM Connected, the flagship conference for business leaders and senior managers in the independent music sector, which returns on 9th September to a new location at Rich Mix, Shoreditch. Having drawn hundreds of UK and international attendees from the music sector and beyond in recent years, AIM Connected will return with a full programme of future-facing talks covering key areas in independent music success: business, technology and people. Tickets for AIM Connected are on sale soon with bundles available to attend both the Independent Music Awards and AIM Connected. More information can be found here.

Future Independents, AIM’s online conference for emerging independent entrepreneurs, artists, label teams and more, will take place on 8th July. Tickets are only £15 for a full day of expert advice and more information can be found here. 

Gee Davy, CEO of AIM, commented: “We are delighted to bring the UK’s most vibrant music community awards back to the Roundhouse, celebrating the breadth of talent and innovation across independent music. The Independent Music Awards is the best place to celebrate and recognise those who often go unsung, creating the most culturally impactful music coming out of the UK, as well as an opportunity for us to honour some of our heroes and champions who make a wider impact. 

“Last year’s event demonstrated our commitment to celebrating success across all regions, nations and communities in the UK, and this year will build on that mission. We thank Merlin and PPL for their ongoing support and are always happy to hear from those who would like to work with us to ensure this special celebration can continue to shine a light on the best in independent music.”

Full list of categories for 2025:

UK Independent Breakthrough

Best Independent Track

Best Independent Label

Best Boutique Label

Best Independent Mixtape / EP

Best Independent Album

Best Independent Remix

One To Watch (submissions free to all)

EDI (Equity Diversity Inclusion) Champion (submissions free to all)

Independent Music Champion (submissions free to all)

Best Independent Video

Best Creative Campaign

Best Live Performer (public vote)

Music Entrepreneur of the Year

Best Independent Record Store

PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist

Innovator Award

Outstanding Contribution to Music