Gilles Peterson, Fontaines D.C., Bricknasty, and others recognized at the Independent Music Awards.

      The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced the winners of The Independent Music Awards 2025.

      Legendary broadcaster, DJ, and label founder Gilles Peterson has received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ award (in association with Merlin) for his extensive influence on global music culture over the past four decades.

      Avant-garde pioneer Cosey Fanni Tutti has been awarded the ‘Innovator Award’ for her five decades of groundbreaking work in art, music, and performance.

      Cosey Fanni Tutti stated: “Everything I’ve accomplished has been entirely independent. This recognition is particularly meaningful because innovation and independence are closely intertwined for me. I regard innovation as the life force of the music industry—without it, there would be no creative inspiration.”

      The prestigious ‘Best Independent Album’ award (in association with Spotify) went to triple nominees Fontaines D.C. for their critically acclaimed fourth album ‘Romance’. Released via XL Recordings, the album has been celebrated for its evolution of post-punk sound into a more expansive and progressive direction.

      Ezra Collective, also nominated three times, won ‘Best Independent Track’ (in association with Meta) for their uplifting single featuring singer-songwriter Yazmin Lacey, ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ (Partisan Records).

      Double nominee Bon Iver and their label Jagjaguwar received the ‘Best Creative Campaign’ award for the imaginative launch of ‘SABLE, fABLE’, which explores themes of both solitude and togetherness.

      Dublin band Bricknasty won ‘Best Independent Video’ (in association with VEVO) for their visually striking work ‘Vinland’ (FAMM), enhancing their mix of R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop with cinematic visuals.

      The highly regarded ‘One To Watch’ category (in association with BBC Music Introducing) recognized emerging neo-soul artist BINA., who had a standout year supporting previous Independent Music Awards winner Little Simz across Europe and sold out multiple headline shows.

      As always, the event highlighted exciting live performances that showcased the diversity of genres in the independent sector, featuring the dynamic Moonchild Sanelly, renowned cellist and songwriter Ayanna Witter-Johnson, rising Isle of Wight rock quartet and former Independent Music Awards nominees Coach Party, and a surprise performance from ‘Best EP/Mixtape Award’ winner MRCY.

      AIM CEO Gee Davy remarked: “This 15th anniversary edition of The Independent Music Awards has been a memorable celebration of the creative freedom, resilience, and innovative spirit that have always characterized the independent music community.

      “This bold innovation is reflected in the pioneering work of Cosey Fanni Tutti, the uncompromising music of Fontaines D.C., the emerging excellence of Ezra Collective, the steadfast support from XL Recordings for artists, ESEA’s inspiring advocacy, Karen Emanuel’s ethical entrepreneurship, Gilles Peterson’s boundary-pushing enthusiasm, and the commitment of Wax & Beans and Bandcamp to showcasing talent.

      “The evening showcased the vast array of talent across the sector and the passion that sustains its growth. It was a joyful occasion, reinforcing the continuing significance of the independent music sector as a hub of creative freedom.”

      —

      Winners and nominees of the Independent Music Awards 2025:

      Outstanding Contribution To Music (in association with Merlin)

      Gilles Peterson *WINNER*

      Innovator Award

      Cosey Fanni Tutti *WINNER*

      Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)

      Fontaines D.C. – Romance (XL Recordings) *WINNER*

      Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE (Jagjaguwar)

      Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)

      Hope Tala – Hope Handwritten (Big Family Music)

      John Glacier – Like A Ribbon (Young)

      Maverick Sabre – Burn The Right Things Down (FAMM)

      Moonchild Sanelly – Full Moon (Transgressive Records)

      Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp Records)

      Oklou – Choke Enough (Because Music / True Panther Records)

      TAAHLIAH – Gramarye (untitled (recs))

      Best Independent Track (in association with Meta)

      Ezra Collective – God Gave Me Feet For Dancing ft. Yazmin Lacey (Partisan Records) *WINNER*

      anaiis, Grupo Cosmo – B.P.E (5dB Records)

      JIALING – FREAKY HORNS (Clasico Records)

      Jim Legxacy – father (XL Recordings)

      Jorja Smith, Maverick Sabre – Loving You (FAMM)

      Miso Extra, Metronomy – Good Kisses (Transgressive Records)

      Orla Gartland – Mine (New Friends Music)

      Wet Leg – Catch These Fists (Domino Recording Co.)

      Wunderhorse – The

Massive Attack have refuted online claims that they utilize facial recognition technology in their live performances. The Bristol-based project is at the cutting edge of technology, art, and progressive political movements, strongly advocating for eco-politics and solidarity with Palestine. They frequently employ satire in their acts to critique authoritarian mindsets, although it appears one particular reference has been misunderstood by some. During an animated segment, the band parodied the implementation of facial recognition, which led to inaccurate reports suggesting that Massive Attack is collecting data from their audience. In a statement, the iconic Bristol group labeled these claims as "outright lies" while seeking to clarify the situation. “Last week, several platforms, including ‘Somewhere.Media’, ‘Hidden’, and others published stories concerning our live show and the supposed use of live facial recognition technology. “Propagated through the mindless replication channels of AI-generated Instagram accounts, the ‘story’ gained momentum, and between entertainment platforms and AI clone thought, nobody took the time to fact-check. Falsehoods and blatant lies spread alongside likes and shares. ‘Somewhere Media’ failed to adhere to any basic reporting standards, claiming that show material was ‘sourced from public databases.’” “No Massive Attack live show has ever recorded or retained personal data,” they further noted; “Only government bodies, authorized entities, and licensed contractors can access public databases in the UK, and it would be impossible to do this across multiple cities/countries.” Massive Attack went on to criticize the usage of public facial recognition in the UK, stating that the government is “exceeding almost all other western democracies in its use of public facial recognition … while there exists no specific legislation governing police use of these systems.” Recently, Massive Attack made an appearance at Kneecap’s OVO Wembley Arena concert to publicly support the Belfast band.

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Gilles Peterson, Fontaines D.C., Bricknasty, and others recognized at the Independent Music Awards.

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Gilles Peterson, Fontaines D.C., Bricknasty, and others recognized at the Independent Music Awards.