AIM Awards 2013 winners announced

Billy Bragg, The xx and Enter Shikari were among the winners at this year’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards.

Jim Ottewill
  • By Jim Ottewill
  • 4 Sep 2013
  • min read
Billy Bragg, The xx and Enter Shikari were among the winners at this year’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards.

Taking place at the Brewery in Clerkenwell last night (3 September), the event featured a surprise live performance from Franz Ferdinand and a brief set from Billy Bragg, winner of the Outstanding Contribution To Music.

The xx received the prize for best ‘difficult’ second album while independent album of the year was won by Daughter.

Broadcaster Steve Lamacq was presented with the Special Recognition Award by singer songwriter Richard Hawley.

Alison Wenham said: ‘This year’s AIM Awards winners reflect the towering strength of the indies in A&R. The high quality and diversity of all the winners in a very strong year for the sector points to a bright future for the UK music industry.

‘Historically, the UK's indie sector has punched above its weight in the international marketplace and we are confident the winners will enjoy success across the world in the years to come.’

The AIM Awards are now in their third year and take place to celebrate the great and the good of the independent music industry.

16 prizes were presented on the night which were voted for by a panel of judges from across the media and music industry, including representatives from a host of media outlets including Radio 1 and 1Xtra, 6Music, NME, The Quietus, Rocksound and The Independent.

The full list of winners is below:

Best Live Act: Enter Shikari 

Independent Breakthrough Of The Year: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Hardest Working Band or Artist: Frankie and The Heartstrings 

Best ‘Difficult’ Second Album: The xx - Co-exist
Independent Album of The Year: Daughter - If You Leave

Best Small Label: Alcopop! Records

PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Act: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Special Catalogue Release Of The Year: Various Artists - Scared To Get Happy: A Story of Indie Pop 1980 - 89

Independent Label of The Year: Warp 

Independent Track of The Year:
Independent Video of The Year: Django Django - WOR

Indie Champion Award: Gilles Peterson - BBC 6music


Golden Welly Award (in association with UK Music, AIF + This Is Fake DIY): In The Woods 


Special Recognition Award: Steve Lamacq - BBC 6music                                                                                      


Outstanding Contribution to Music: Billy Bragg

Pioneer Award (in association with Nokia Music): Geoff Travis, Rough Trade

Visit the AIM website to find out more about the organisation and the awards.