The AIM Awards turned 15 in style at the Roundhouse last night, with MRCY, Fontaines D.C. and Ezra Collective all taking home the iconic trophy.

The Roundhouse pumped with energy last night as the AIM Independent Music Awards celebrated its 15th anniversary, spotlighting a roster of artists reshaping what it means to be independent today. From industry legends to breakout newcomers, the winners proved just how strong the independent sector continues to be.

 

Broadcasting icon Gilles Peterson was honoured with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music Award’, a fitting tribute to four decades spent not only championing jazz and global sounds but nurturing new generations of talent. Meanwhile, avant-garde pioneer Cosey Fanni Tutti collected the ‘Innovator Award’, her radical five-decade career in music, art and performance still reverberating through artists as diverse as Björk and FKA twigs.

 

On the album front, Irish post-punk heroes Fontaines D.C. took home ‘Best Independent Album’ for Romance, released via XL Recordings, who themselves sealed a double win with ‘Best Independent Label’. London jazz heavyweights Ezra Collective added to their Mercury Prize triumph by picking up ‘Best Independent Track’ for their Yazmin Lacey collaboration ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’, with drummer Femi Koleoso using the moment to spotlight the role of grassroots spaces like The Roundhouse in shaping futures.

Looking ahead to the next wave, BINA. was crowned ‘One To Watch’, following a breakout year touring with Little Simz and selling out her own headline shows. Bon Iver and Jagjaguwar impressed with their inventive rollout of SABLE, fABLE, winning ‘Best Creative Campaign’, while Glasgow’s corto.alto took ‘UK Independent Breakthrough’ for his fearless, genre-hopping debut Bad With Names.

 

And then came a proud moment for us at NOTION. We crowned rising duo MRCY our winners of the ‘Best Independent EP/Mixtape’ for their eclectic debut Volume 1, which seamlessly blends soul, funk and R&B into a sound that feels original.

 

Elsewhere, Ireland’s Bricknasty scooped ‘Best Independent Video’ for the cinematic ‘Vinland’, while Britpop veterans Shed Seven proved their enduring pull by winning ‘Best Live Performer’, three decades into their career.

The night also championed the ecosystem behind the artists. Karen Emanuel, founder of Key Production and Moving the Needle, was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ for her pioneering work in sustainable vinyl production and industry advocacy. Bandcamp was recognised as ‘Independent Music Champion’ for its artist-first model, returning 82% of sales to musicians. At the same time, beloved Bury record shop Wax & Beans took home ‘Best Independent Record Store’.

 

The evening was punctuated with live sets from Moonchild Sanelly, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Coach Party and, fittingly, our winners MRCY, sealing the night with the same genre-defying energy that earned them their award.