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The AIM Independent Music Awards 2019 took place tonight, and what an incredible evening it’s been! Marking AIM’s 20th anniversary, the ceremony took to the Roundhouse for the first time, with our first ever live show featuring stunning performances from Johnny Marr, Georgia and Ms Banks, as well as a surprise performance by AJ Tracey and some amazing DJ sets from Let’s Eat Grandma and AIM Members BBE Music and Heavenly.
We’d like to send a huge thank you to all of this year’s performers, entrants, nominees, sponsors, our host Lauren Laverne, and everybody who continues to make the AIM Independent Music Awards such a special occasion.
Massive congratulations to all of this year’s winners! From Dave to IDLES and Georgia, the list truly represents the diverse range of remarkable talent and innovation that is so unique to the independent sector. This year’s winners and nominees demonstrate the high caliber of artists, partner companies and individuals working in independent music right now! Take a look at the full list of AIM Awards 2019 winners below and continue reading for the full round-up of the evening!
AIM AWARDS 2019 – THE WINNERS
in association with Key Production
IDLES – JOY AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE
in association with MCPS
VARIOUS ARTISTS, HAND-PICKED AND CURATED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ROLLING STONES, “CONFESSIN THE BLUES”
FREYA RIDINGS
South London MC Dave claimed two of the biggest awards of the night: Best Independent Album for Psychodrama and Best Independent Track for ‘Funky Friday’ ft. Fredo. Psychodrama, his politically charged debut, earned rave reviews and claimed the #1 spot in the UK charts upon release, rocketing Dave to the very top of the UK rap game. Independent success story and Ladbroke Grove local AJ Tracey gave a hyped surprise performance before the awards got underway.
Riding the wave of success since their first album in 2017, IDLES’ potent follow up Joy as an Act of Resistance secured them Best [Difficult] Second Album. After receiving Hardest Working Group in 2018, it was no surprise that they also picked up UK Independent Breakthrough, having rocked fans up and down the country throughout the year.
IDLES’ creative home, Partisan Records, also got to share in the limelight, receiving Best Independent Label thanks to the success of their roster, featuring fellow nominees Fontaines D.C as well as Cigarettes After Sex and John Grant.
With a roster including a slew of fresh talent like Kashmere, Hubbards and Glass Caves, Manchester-based label Scruff of the Neck were named Best Small Label while Jade Bird took home International Breakthrough. Cementing her position as one of the UK’s most promising acts, she wooed fans with her powerful eponymous LP, released in April. Hot Chip, meanwhile, won Best Video for their surreal anti-rom-com ‘Hungry Child’.
Freya Ridings picked up the PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist while Scottish songster Gerry Cinnamon was revealed as the winner of the Best Live Act, having successfully gained the most support in the public vote. Finally, Confessin’ the Blues, a compilation curated by The Rolling Stones and released by BMG, received Best Creative Packaging.
From the industry side, CEO of digital rights agency Merlin, Charles Caldas, took home the coveted Indie Champion, with Eleven Seven founder and rockstar manager Allen Kovac receiving the Innovator award.
Following the star studded ceremony — which also saw The Kinks’ Ray Davies present Debbie Harry with her Outstanding Contribution award — the crowds parted in preparation for the live show. The Smiths’ legend Johnny Marr took to the stage first, having already received the Pioneer Award for his prodigious career. He was followed by electro-pop and percussion sensation Georgia, the recipient of this year’s One to Watch award.
London rapper Ms Banks brought a high-energy climax to the live show while killer DJ sets from Heavenly Jukebox, BBE Music and electro-pop duo Let’s Eat Grandma and surprise guest Lil Simz kept the afterparty going on until the early hours.
Thank you to everyone for coming and making it such a successful milestone year for the AIM Awards. Until next time!
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