Fontaines D.C. and Ezra Collective lead this year's winners at the AIM's Independent Music Awards

Gilles Peterson, Fontaines D.C. and Ezra Collective are among the winners at the 15th Independent Music Awards, unveiled by the Association of Independent Music (AIM) in London on 23rd September.

Peterson received ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ (in association with Merlin), recognising more than four decades of influence as a broadcaster, DJ and label founder.

Fontaines D.C. took ‘Best Independent Album’ (in association with Spotify) for their fourth album ‘Romance’, released via XL Recordings. It was one of two trophies on the night for XL Recordings, who were also named ‘Best Independent Label’.

Ezra Collective won ‘Best Independent Track’ (in association with Meta) for ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ featuring Yazmin Lacey, released via Partisan Records.

The ‘One To Watch’ award (in association with BBC Music Introducing) went to BINA., who said: “Thank you for the recognition, it means a lot. Thank you everybody who’s part of building this world with me… I appreciate you all a lot. I have a lot of gratitude and excitement for the future. The plot thickens.”

Live performances on the night came from Moonchild Sanelly, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Coach Party, and MRCY. Summing up the event, AIM CEO Gee Davy said: “Tonight’s 15th anniversary edition of The Independent Music Awards has been an unforgettable celebration of the creative freedom, resilience, and innovative spirit that has always defined the independent music community.

“This fearless innovation is seen in everything from Cosey Fanni Tutti’s pioneering art and enterprise, Fontaines D.C.’s uncompromising music, Ezra Collective’s unfolding excellence, XL Recordings’ unwavering support for artists, ESEA's inspiring advocacy, Karen Emanuel's ethical and inclusive entrepreneurship, Gilles Peterson's boundary-pushing passion, and the unending dedication to platforming talent of Wax & Beans and Bandcamp.

“The night highlighted the breadth of talent across the sector, and the passion that keeps it thriving. It was a joyous occasion and a reminder of the continued importance of the independent music sector as the epicentre of creative freedom.”

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))

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 Rope (Communion Records)

Yannis & The Yaw, Tony Allen - Rain Can't Reach Us (Transgressive Records)

corto.alto (Ninja Tune previously New Soil) WINNER

Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)

Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)

Hope Tala (Big Family Music)

Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)

Shed Seven (Cooking Vinyl) WINNER

Alison Moyet (Cooking Vinyl)

Elles Bailey (Cooking Vinyl)

Ayanna Witter-Johnson (Hill and Gully Records)

Wunderhorse (Communion Records)

Bricknasty - Vinland (FAMM) WINNER

Black Honey - Psycho (Foxfive Records)

Fontaines D.C. - In The Modern World (XL Recordings)

Ezra Collective - God Gave Me Feet For Dancing Ft. Yazmin Lacey (Partisan Records)

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

MRCY - VOLUME 1 (Dead Oceans) WINNER

Fcukers - Baggy$$ (Technicolour)

Nectar Woode - Head Above Water (Communion Records)

Shygirl - Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)

Zino Vinci - The Late Bloomer (Believe UK)

Boy Harsher Remix - Nilufer Yanya - ‘Just A Western’ (Ninja Tune) WINNER

D’Monk Remix - Rosie Lowe - ‘Gratitudes’ (Blue Flowers Music)

Jorg Kunning Bicton Barns Remix - Koreless - ‘Seven’ (Young)

Tatyana Remix - Home Counties - ‘Uptight’ (Submarine Cat Records)

Tower Block 1 - Fat Dog - ‘Peace Song’ (Domino Recording Co.)

Aitch (NQ Records)

Bon Iver (Jagjaguwar) WINNER

Fontaines D.C. (XL Recordings)

Snapped Ankles (The Leaf Label)

SOPHIE (Transgressive)

BINA. (TLD Records) WINNER

anaiis (5dB Records)

Chloe Qisha (VLF Records /Are You Serious Records)

Cristale (Believe)

Fcukers (Ninja Tune)

Popeth (Recordiau Cosh Records) WINNER

Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)

First Time Flyers (Lookout Mountain)

IN PARALLEL (Method 808)

NDOTZ (Chosen Flystr8)

XL Recordings WINNER

Wax & Beans (Bury) WINNER

Art Beats (Saffron Walden)

A Slice of Vinyl (Gosport)

Raven Records (Camden, London)

Spinning Around Records (Wellington, Telford)

Karen Emanuel (Key Productions) WINNER