The AIM Independent Music Awards has announced it’s back on Wednesday 28th September, returning as an in-person event after last year’s virtual ceremony. The event will take place in London’s iconic Roundhouse and will feature several new and revamped categories new for 2022.
In it’s 12th year, the Awards looks to honour leading players throughout all sectors of the industry. Submissions have now opened and various new awards have been added this year. Now totalling 20 accolades, new categories include Music Entrepreneur Of The Year and Best Independent EP / Mixtape, which opens up the Awards to celebrate innovations across the various ways artists are choosing to express themselves.
Further recognition of innovation within the independent music spectrum is recognised in other changes, with Best Small Label changing its name to Best Boutique Label, and Best Creative Packaging becoming Best Creative Campaign. Most positively, Best Live [Streamed] Act is now Best Live Performer, which includes both online and in-person performances, alongside a host of returning favourites such as Best Independent Album and One To Watch. Following Paulette Long’s inaugural win last year, the Diversity Champion Award will also return. Big winners in 2021 included Arlo Parks, ENNY, Elkka. Fountaines D.C and Joan Armatrading, with the latter collected the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
AIM CEO Paul Pacifico said: “While our community still faces numerous challenges, 2022 feels like the year to reflect on the ingenuity and strength shown by everyone to get to this point. I’m particularly excited for us to be able to come together and celebrate in person at such an iconic venue. As ever, the AIM Awards will celebrate the diversity, innovation and ingenuity of everyone in the world of independent music who continue to release the most cutting-edge music in the world, from the artists to the labels and the teams behind them.”
Full list of 2022 Award Categories:
Best Boutique Label (FKA Best Small Label)
Independent Champion
Diversity Champion
Music Entrepreneur of the Year (New Category)
UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music
International Breakthrough
Best Independent Video
Best Independent Track in association with Meta
Best Independent Remix
Best Independent EP / Mixtape (New Category)
Best Independent Album in association with Spotify
Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC Radio 6 Music
Best Creative Campaign (FKA Best Creative Packaging)
Best Live Performer (FKA Best Live [Streamed] Act)
One To Watch in association with BBC Music Introducing
Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music
Outstanding Contribution To Music in association with Merlin
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
Best Independent Label
Local Heroes Award in association with BBC Music Introducing
Sunmissions can be made via www.aimawards.co.uk and close at 11.59pm on Tuesday 26th April with the awards for One to Watch, Best Independent EP/Mixtape, Best Boutique Label, Diversity Champion, Indie Champion and Music Entrepreneur of The Year free for anyone to enter.
