UPDATE (Aug. 20): The Association for Independent Music (AIM) has announced the final nominees for the 2026 Independent Music Awards, highlighting the artists, labels and businesses driving the U.K’s independent music scene. The award ceremony will be presented Sept. 22 at the Roundhouse, in North London.
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Jim Legxacy now joins previously-announced nominees Fcukers as the joint-most nominated artists, with three nods apiece. FAMM and Tru Thoughts also land their first nominations for best independent label, while jungle and drum ’n’ bass pioneers Fabio and Grooverider are set to receive the innovator award for their decades-long contribution to U.K. dance music.
In a statement, the duo said: “We’re incredibly proud to be receiving the innovator award. We’ve spent our lives pushing this music forward, breaking boundaries and staying true to what we believe in, so to be recognized for that journey means a lot to us!”
Other notable nominees include Léa Esmaili, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ocurens, Noel Paul and Zak Watson for best independent music video, while five outlets from across the U.K. make up the best independent record store category: Applestump Records (Nantwich), Jacaranda Records (Liverpool), Just Dropped In Records (Coventry), Ignite Record Store (Birmingham) and Slow Century Records (Solihull). See the full list of nominees below.
PREVIOUSLY (July 16): Fcukers lead all nominees with three nods in the shortlist for the Association of Independent Music’s 2026 Independent Music Awards.
The New York-based electronic duo is nominated in the best independent album (Ö, Ninja Tune), best independent track (“L.U.C.K.Y.”) and independent breakthrough categories.
The 2026 ceremony will take place at London’s Roundhouse on Sept. 22, and will honor an array of indie musicians, labels, companies and creators across a wide variety of categories.
Six acts follow with two nominations each: Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records), Jim Legxacy (XL Recordings), Jorja Smith (FAMM), Nova Twins (Marshall Records), Romy (XL Recordings) and Tiana Major9 (+1 Records).
Young leads all labels with five nominations across all categories, followed by XL Recordings and Ninja Tune with four apiece, and FAMM and Marshall Records each earning three nominations.
Competing for best independent album are BICEP, Blawan, Fcukers, Geese, Mitski, Nova Twins, Prostitute, Robyn Scaler and Thundercat.
More categories and nominations will be announced in the coming months, with submissions open for the publicly voted best live performer and best independent record store categories. Submissions can be entered at the Independent Music Awards website.
Gee Davy, CEO of AIM said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to share the first nominees list for the 2026 Independent Music Awards, showcasing just some of the broad spectrum of success and authenticity flowing from the U.K.’s independent music community. The array of artists and genres on display here demonstrates once again that the independent music sector is the most exciting, authentic and groundbreaking place in the industry.
“Following our 15th anniversary edition of the awards last year, we have a fresh new look and feel, reflecting the consistent evolution of the independent music sector,” Davy continued. “We look forward to sharing more new features at the ceremony at London’s Roundhouse as we celebrate the success that comes from the collective strength of our mighty community.”
At the 2025 ceremony, Fontaines D.C. won best independent album for Romance, Ezra Collective claimed best independent track for “God Gave Me Feet for Dancing” and XL Recordings took home best independent label. DJ and curator Giles Peterson was recognized with the outstanding contribution to music and Throbbing Gristle member Cosey Fanni Tutti with the innovator prize.
See the full list of nominees so far below.
Best independent track
DEBBY FRIDAY, “Bet On Me” (Sub Pop Records)
Fcukers, “L.U.C.K.Y” (Ninja Tune)
Genesis Owusu, “Stampede” (Ourness)
Jalen Ngonda, “Doctrine of Love” (Daptone Records)
Jim Legxacy, “3x” (XL Recordings)
Jorja Smith, “The Way I Love You” (FAMM)
Nova Twins, “Piranha” (Marshall Records)
Robyn, “Dopamine” (Young / Konichiwa)
Romy, “Love Who You Love” (Young)
Tiana Major9, “Desire” (+1 Records)
Best independent album
BICEP, TAKKUUK (Original Soundtrack) (Ninja Tune, EarthSonic)
Blawan, SickElixir (XL Recordings)
Fcukers, Ö (Ninja Tune)
Geese, Getting Killed (Partisan Records)
Mitski, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
Nova Twins, Parasites & Butterflies (Marshall Records)
Prostitute, Attempted Martyr (Mute)
Robyn, Sexistential (Young / Konichiwa)
SCALER, Endlessly (Black Acre)
Thundercat, Distracted (Brainfeeder)
Independent breakthrough
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)
Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records)
Tiana Major9 (+1 Records)
Ego Ella May (Believe UK)
Best independent mixtape/EP
Bricknasty, Blacks Law (FAMM)
Jim Legxacy, black british music (2025) (XL Recordings)
Naima Bock, Live in Toulon (Sub Pop Records)
Strandz, Diaspora Dance Music (Strandz Music)
TTSSFU, Blown (Partisan Records)
Best independent remix
Overmono, “If We Ever” (High Contrast Remix) (XL Recordings)
Sherelle, Romy, “Love Who You Love”(SHERELLE’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix) (Young)
Robyn, “Sexistential” (Arca’s Take) (Young / Konichiwa)
Jorja Smith, TS7, “The Way I Love You” (TS7 Remix) (FAMM)
House Gospel Choir and Donae’O, “You” (Donae’O Remix) (Swear Down Music)
One to Watch
Ashaine White (Marshall Records)
Alewya (LDN Records)
Lauren Auder (untitled (recs))
Mandy, Indiana (Sacred Bones Records)
Native James (Saviour Music)
Best independent video
Zak Watson (director) for Antony Szmierek, “The Heron” (Mushroom Music)
Yorgos Lanthimos (director) for Jerskin Fendrix, “Beth’s Farm” (untitled (recs))
Noel Paul (director) for Mitski, “Where’s My Phone?” (Dead Oceans)
Léa Esmaili (director) for Thundercat, “She Knows Too Much” feat. Mac Miller (Brainfeeder)
OCURENS (director) for Tinie Tempah, Skepsis, Carla Monroe, “Eat It Up” (Imhotep Records)
PPL Award for most played new independent artist
bees & honey
Beyond Chicago
Clementine Douglas
Jim Legxacy
Poppy Baskcomb
Best live performer
Amelia Coburn (Quiet Crown)
Billy Lockett (Lockett Records)
High Fade (RPN RECORDS)
Katherine Priddy (Cooking Vinyl)
The Molotovs (Marshall Records)
Best independent label
Because Music
Dead Oceans
FAMM
Ninja Tune
Tru Thoughts
Best boutique label
Big Scary Monsters
Black Acre
TLD Records
Sweardown
untitled (recs)
Best catalogue release
The Alan Parsons Project, I Robot (Cooking Vinyl)
Haruomi Hosono – Tropical Dandy (Stones Throw)
Lush – Gala (2025 Remaster) (4AD)
Orbital – The Brown Album (London Records)
Chameleon – The Very Best of Toyah (Cherry Red Records)
Best release campaign
Geese, Getting Killed (Partisan Records)
Genesis Owusu, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE (Ourness/Believe)
Kettama, Archangel (Steel City Dance Disks)
Mitski – Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
Wet Leg – Moisturizer (Domino Recording Co)
Best independent record store
Applestump Records
Jacaranda Records
Just Dropped In
Ignite Record Store
Slow Century Records
Innovator award
Fabio & Grooverider
