Christine & the Queens, Stormzy and Daughter win AIM Awards 2016

2016’s AIM Independent Music Awards took place last night at a London ceremony, with Christine & the Queens and Daughter amongst this year’s winners.

The former picked up Independent Breakthrough of the Year, following the UK release of her ‘Chaleur Humaine’ debut.

DIY readers had their say in the Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival, and this year’s winner is the volunteer-led Brainchild Festival, based in East Sussex.

Oscar’s ace ‘Sometimes’ video won Independent Video of the Year, while the bonkers Babymetal picked up Best Live Act.

Independent Album of the Year went to Little Simz for her debut, ‘A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons’, and Stormzy picked up the Innovator Award.

Winners were selected based on over 15,000 public votes, plus the decision of a judging panel. Full list of winners below.

Best Small Label - Numbers
Best ‘Difficult’ 2nd Album - Daughter, ‘Not to Disappear’
Special Catalogue Release of the Year - Slade, ‘When Slade Rocked the World 1971-1975’
Hardest Working Band or Artist - Darren Hayman
Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival - Brainchild Festival
Independent Breakthrough of the Year - Christine & the Queens
Indie Champion Award - Jon Tolley, Banquet Records
Independent Video of the Year - Oscar, ‘Sometimes’
Best Live Act - Babymetal
Independent Track of the Year - Adele, ‘Hello’
Independent Album of the Year - Little Simz, ‘A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons’
Independent Label of the Year - Epitaph / ANTI-
PPL Awards for Most Played New Independent Act - Sigala
Innovator Award - Stormzy
Pioneer Award - Richard Russell, XL Recordings
Outstanding Contribution to Music Award - Roisin Murphy