Sampha, Jorja Smith, Neneh Cherry, Barry Can’t Swim win at Independent Music Awards 2024

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Independent Music Awards at London's Roundhouse.

Neneh Cherry received the Innovator Award, with Sparks recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Music, announcing their return to the independent community.

Best Independent Album went to Jorja Smith’s falling or flying, while Sampha bagged a double win with Best Independent Track for 'Spirit 2.0' and plus Best Independent Video for 'Only (Young)'.

Other artist awards went to Barry Can’t Swim, Pendulum, Potter Payper, Joy Anonymous and OneDa. Heavenly Recordings took home the gong for Best Independent Label.

AIM is the not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music sector and community.

AIM’s interim CEO, Gee Davy, said: "Our winners tonight represent just the tip of the independent music iceberg and it is always a challenge to select just a few heroes, inspirations and exciting newcomers to honour at the Independent Music Awards each year. We also enjoyed bringing in several surprises this year — from our new Best Independent Record Store award, to some surprise trophy handovers, and the news of Sparks’ return to independence for their 28th studio album."

Full list of winners below. For details go to www.aimawards.co.uk.

UK Independent Breakthrough 

• Bar Italia (Matador Records)
• Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune) *WINNER*
• CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
• Saint Harison (Tell Your Friends)
• Wunderhorse (Communion Records)

Best Independent Album 

• Actress - LXXXVIII (Ninja Tune)
• ANOHNI and the Johnsons - My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross (Rough Trade Records)
• Barry Can’t Swim - When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)
• D-Block Europe - Rolling Stone (EGA Distro)
• Jorja Smith - falling or flying (FAMM) *WINNER*
• Kim Gordon - The Collective (Matador Records)
• Mount Kimbie - The Sunset Violent (Warp Records)
• Nabihah Iqbal - Dreamer (Ninja Tune)
• Nubiyan Twist - Find Your Flame (Strut Records)
• Skrapz - Reflection (EGA Distro)

Best Independent Track

• Amy Gadiaga - ‘All Black Everything’ (Jazz re:freshed)
• CASISDEAD - ‘Venom’ (XL Recordings)
• Ezra Collective - ‘Ajala’ (Partisan Records)
• Fontaines DC - ‘Starburster’ (XL Recordings)
• Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair - ‘Set The Roof’ (Warp Records)
• Jorja Smith - ‘Little Things’ (FAMM)
• KNEECAP, Grian Chatten - ‘Better Way To Live’ (Heavenly Recordings)
• Matthew Halsall - ‘An Ever Changing View’ (Gondwana Records)
• NikNak - ‘1200RPM’ (Accidental Records)
• Sampha - ‘Spirit 2.0’ (Young) *WINNER*

Best Independent Remix 

• The Egyptian Lover Remix - Sudan Archives - Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
• Joy Anonymous Remix - Ezra Collective, Sampa The Great - JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records) *WINNER*
• L BEATS Mashup - Jorja Smith - Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
• Olof Dreijer Remix - Björk - Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
• P-rallel Remix - Aluna, Jayda G - Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent Under Exclusive Licence to Because Music)

Best Live Performer

• Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings)
• KNEECAP (Heavenly Recordings)
• Laura Misch (One Little Independent)
• Pendulum (Mushroom Music) *WINNER*
• RAYE (Human Re Sources)

One To Watch 

• Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
• Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
• Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
• Miso Extra (Transgressive Records)
• OneDa (Heavenly Recordings) *WINNER*

PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist

• Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
• Coach Party (Chess Club Records)
• Far From Saints (Ignition Records) *WINNER*
• Popeth (Recordiau Côsh Records)
• Tom A. Smith (TYM Records)

Best Independent EP/Mixtape

• George Riley - ‘Un/limited Love’ (Ninja Tune)
• Headie One & K-Trap - ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ (One Records and Thousand8)
• HONESTY - ‘BOX’ (Partisan Records)
• JGrrey - ‘If Not Now?’ (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
• Potter Payper - ‘Thanks For Hating’ (EGA Distro) *WINNER*

Best Independent Video

• Gia Ford - Poolside (Chrysalis Records)
• Khruangbin - A Love International (Dead Oceans)
• Master Peace - I Might Be Fake feat. Georgia (PMR Records)
• Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine (Dead Oceans)
• Sampha - Only (Young) *WINNER*

Best Independent Label 

• Heavenly Recordings *WINNER*
• Ninja Tune
• Partisan Records
• Sub Pop Records
• Transgressive Records

Best Boutique Label 

• AD 93
• Houndstooth
• LAB Records
• New Soil
• Sonic Cathedral *WINNER*

Best Creative Campaign

• Chrysalis Records and BODEGA (‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’)
• Dead Oceans and Slowdive (‘everything is alive’)
• Lofi Girl – Identity Music (‘Snowman’)
• Warp Records and Aphex Twin (‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a Room7 F760’) *WINNER*
• Young and Sampha (‘LAHAI’)

Best Independent Record Store

• Drift *WINNER*
• Honest Jon’s
• Piccadilly
• Rough Trade Bristol
• Stranger Than Paradise Records

Music Entrepreneur of the Year

• Andrew Batey (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beatdapp)
• Atlanta Cobb (Founder & Director, Music Industry Mentor)
• Colin Batsa (President and Chairman, EGA Distro)
• Meg Carnie (Studio Manager / Co-Founder / Artist Manager - South Lanes Studios) *WINNER*
• Tom Allen (President, Downtown Royalties and Financial Services, Downtown Music)

Diversity Champion

• SILVASTONE *WINNER*

Independent Music Champion

• Music Venue Trust *WINNER*

Outstanding Contribution to Music

• Sparks *WINNER*

Innovator

• Neneh Cherry *WINNER*