A landmark year for UK independent music as the godfathers of drum & bass receive the Innovator Award and the full list of nominees is unveiled
The Association for Independent Music (AIM) has announced the final wave of nominees for the 2026 Independent Music Awards — and at the heart of this year’s celebration sits a moment of long‑overdue recognition. Drum & bass pioneers Fabio & Grooverider will receive the prestigious Innovator Award, honouring more than three decades of boundary‑pushing influence that helped shape UK club culture as we know it.
Taking place at The Roundhouse, London, on 22 September 2026, the ceremony will once again spotlight the artists, labels, directors, record stores and behind‑the‑scenes teams who keep the UK’s independent sector vibrant, inventive and defiantly future‑facing.
Few artists embody the spirit of UK independence like Fabio & Grooverider. From pirate radio to global festival stages, their fingerprints are all over the evolution of jungle and drum & bass — genres that began in sweaty basements and now echo across the world.
Their influence isn’t just musical; it’s cultural. They championed new artists, pushed sonic boundaries and helped transform underground club energy into a defining part of Britain’s musical identity.
The duo said:
“We’re incredibly proud to be receiving the Innovator Award. We’ve spent our lives pushing this music forward, breaking boundaries and staying true to what we believe in, so to be recognised for that journey means a lot to us!”
The newly announced nominees paint a picture of a sector thriving on eclecticism, risk‑taking and artistic individuality.
Jim Legxacy tops the nominations with three nods, tying with Fcukers, who are shortlisted for Best Independent Track, Best Independent Album and Independent Breakthrough.
Heavyweights including Mitski, Thundercat, Clementine Douglas, and Robyn also feature across categories.
The Best Independent Video category is a standout this year, with directors such as:
Yorgos Lanthimos for Jerskin Fendrix’s surreal “Beth’s Farm”
Noel Paul for Mitski’s “Where’s My Phone”
Léa Esmaili for Thundercat’s “She Knows Too Much”
Zak Watson for Antony Szmierek’s “The Heron”
OCURENS for Tinie Tempah, Skepsis & Carla Monroe’s “Eat It Up”
It’s a category that consistently showcases the independent sector’s visual imagination — often stranger, bolder and more emotionally charged than major‑label output.
Independent labels remain the lifeblood of UK music, and AIM’s nominations reflect that:
Best Independent Label Ninja Tune, Dead Oceans, FAMM, Tru Thoughts, Because Music
Best Boutique Label Big Scary Monsters, Black Acre, Sweardown, TLD Records, untitled (recs)
These are the teams who take risks, nurture emerging artists and build communities — often without the resources of the majors, but with far more cultural impact.
AIM continues to champion the full ecosystem of independent music.
Best Independent Record Store
Applestump Records (Nantwich), Jacaranda Records (Liverpool), Just Dropped In (Coventry), Ignite Record Store (Birmingham), Slow Century Records (Solihull)
These shops remain vital hubs for local scenes — places where discovery still happens face‑to‑face.
Best Live Performer
Amelia Coburn, Billy Lockett, High Fade, Katherine Priddy, The Molotovs
A category that highlights artists who’ve built reputations the old‑fashioned way: on stage, in front of real people.
Best Catalogue Release
From Lush’s Gala (2025 Remaster) to Orbital’s The Brown Album, this category celebrates labels who treat legacy music with care, imagination and respect.
AIM CEO Gee Davy emphasised the importance of recognising the full breadth of the independent sector:
“The Independent Music Awards exists to spotlight many of those who contribute so much to the UK’s rich musical landscape and would otherwise go unnoticed… Though each category can only have one winner, we salute all of the nominees and the long list of submissions.”
It’s a reminder that independence isn’t just a business model — it’s a culture, a community and a commitment to creativity over commerce.
The Independent Music Awards will bring together artists, entrepreneurs, labels, directors, record stores and fans for a night celebrating the people who keep UK music interesting.
📍 The Roundhouse, London 📅 22 September 2026
The full nominee list, including previously-announced categories, can be found here