Fontaines D.C. & Bon Iver Among Nominees for AIM’s 2025 Independent Music Awards: Full List

The U.K.’s Association for Independent Music has revealed the first nominees for its upcoming awards ceremony, including Fontaines D.C. and Bon Iver.

Now in its 15th year, the Independent Music Awards celebrates artists and labels operating in the indie music sector. The prizes will be awarded at a ceremony to be held at London’s iconic Roundhouse venue on Sept. 23. 

Over the course of its history, a number of huge names have collected prizes from the Independent Music Awards. 2024’s victors included Jorja Smith, Sampha, Barry Can’t Swim and Neneh Cherry, with previous winners including Adele, RAYE and Stormzy.

In 2025’s list, jazz collective Ezra Collective (Partisan Records), NYC dance act Fcukers (Ninja Tune), London singer-songwriter Hope Tala (Big Family Music) and French-Senegalese experimental artist anaiis (5dB) each earned two nominations.

Ten albums are competing for the best independent album prize. They include Bon Iver’s Sable, Fable; Ezra Collective’s Dance, No One’s Watching; Fontaines D.C.’s Romance; Hope Tala’s Hope Handwritten; and John Glacier’s Like a Ribbon.

Artists nominated in the best independent track category include Jim Legxacy (“Father”), Wet Leg (“Catch These Fists”), Jorja Smith (“Loving You”) and Wunderhorse (“The Rope”). 

U.K. indie labels Ninja Tune, Transgressive and Believe secured the most nominations, with three each, while 5dB, Communion, Domino, FAMM, Partisan, Technicolour, XL and Young earned two each.

Two categories will involve public participation: best independent record store and best live performer will both accept nominations from the public. Fans can submit their nominees for the categories on the award’s website. 

Nominees in a number of categories, including best independent label and music entrepreneur of the year, are still to be announced. Winners will be selected by a judging panel made up of music industry and media professionals.

“As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Independent Music Awards, I’m inspired by the extraordinary creativity flowing from the U.K.’s independent music community,” Gee Davy, chief executive of AIM, said in a statement. “Every year, our sector delivers music that speaks to hearts, minds and dancing feet — and this year’s nominees are no exception. Our panel of tastemakers has curated a spectacular selection from the vast array of submissions. This is only a glimpse of the immense talent and variety within the scene, but showcases the fearless artistry that defines this community.

“Independence in music means freedom to create, innovate and build careers and businesses on our own terms. The independent sector is where culture meets commercial success, and our 2025 nominees perfectly embody that intersection. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at what promises to be a truly special edition of the Awards.”

Here’s the full list of 2025 AIM Independent Music Awards nominees.

Best independent track

anaiis, Grupo Cosmo, “B.P.E” (5dB Records)
Ezra Collective, Yazmin Lacey – “God Gave Me Feet for Dancing” (Partisan 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 Rope” (Communion Records)
Yannis & The Yaw, Tony Allen, “Rain Can’t Reach Us” (Transgressive Records)

Best independent album

Bon Iver, Sable, Fable (Jagjaguwar)
Ezra Collective, Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)
Fontaines DC, Romance (XL Recordings)
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 (Oklou / True Panther Records)
TAAHLIA, Gramarye (untitled (recs))

U.K. independent breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music) 

corto.alto (Ninja Tune)
Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)
Hope Tala (Big Family Music)
Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)

Best independent EP/mixtape

Fcukers, Baggy$$ (Technicolour Records)
MRCY, VOLUME 1(Dead Oceans)
Nectar Woode, Head Above Water (Communion Music)
Shygirl, Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)
Zino Vinci, The Late Bloomer (Bawne London / Believe)  

Best independent remix

Aluna, “Heatstroke” (Paul Woolford remix) (Mad Decent / Because Music)
Home Counties, TATYANA, “Uptight” – TATYANA remix (Submarine Cat Records)
Koreless, “Seven” (Jorg Kuning Bicton Barns Remix) (Young)
Nilufer Yanya, “Just a Western” (Boy Harsher Remix) (Ninja Tune)
Rosie Lowe, “Gratitudes” (D’Monk remix) (Blue Flowers Music)

One to Watch

anaiis (5dB Records)
BINA. (TLD Records)
Chloe Qisha (VLF Records / Believe) 
Cristale (Believe)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)