The @AIM_UK Awards turned 15 in style at the @RoundhouseLDN this week, with @mrcymrcymrcy, @fontainesdublin and @EzraCollective all taking home the iconic trophy.https://t.co/iUIOYGYoCe

— NOTION (@NotionMagazine) September 25, 2025

The night saw the two acts secure top honours for projects that have pushed critical and commercial boundaries, cementing their status as standard-bearers for the new era of independent music. Fontaines D.C. dominated the flagship category, taking home ‘Best Independent Album’ for their highly cinematic and introspective fourth record, ‘Romance’. The Dublin band’s win was hailed as a victory for artistic evolution, as the album marked a significant thematic departure from their earlier work, exploring visual and literary influences through a moodier, more expansive sound. Meanwhile, Ezra Collective, whose rise has been fueled by a fierce connection to London’s jazz scene and a commitment to grassroots culture, captured the award for ‘Best Independent Track’ for their infectious single, God Gave Me Feet For Dancing (feat. Yazmin Lacey), a track that fuses London jazz, Afrobeat and club influences into a single irresistible groove.

Fontaines DC and @XLRECORDINGS triumph at AIM Independent Music Awards https://t.co/NWZ48XPnjN pic.twitter.com/fKYI3sKVVr — Music Week (@MusicWeek) September 24, 2025

The AIM Awards also served as a bridge between the past and the future by honouring two industry veterans whose work laid the groundwork for today’s independent scene. Broadcasting icon Gilles Peterson received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music Award’ for his four decades spent championing jazz and global sounds and nurturing new generations of talent. Similarly, avant-garde pioneer Cosey Fanni Tutti was presented with the ‘Innovator Award’ in recognition of her five-decade career of radical boundary-pushing in music, art, and performance. Her poignant quote, “innovation and independence really are sisters with me,” encapsulated a core tenet of the evening’s message.

Last night at the Westminster Park Plaza in London, the AIM Independent Music Awards celebrated some of the best in indie music! Cosey Fanni Tutti and Gilles Peterson were among the standout winners. Check out all the highlights from the event here: https://t.co/Buhj9pH2ME (via…

— We Love Deephouse (@WeLoveDeephouse) September 24, 2025

AIM Awards CEO Silvia Montello, in her address, said: “Tonight’s 15th anniversary edition of The Independent Music Awards has been an unforgettable celebration of the creative freedom, resilience, and innovative spirit…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.”

The night’s winners embodied a vision of creativity that is bold, experimental and rooted in community, signalling that the future of British music will be written on its own terms, as the AIM Awards 2025 closed on a note of possibility. In one room, post-punk met jazz fusion, heritage stood alongside experimentation, and the UK’s independent artists were recognised as architects of tomorrow’s sound. In elevating these artists alongside icons like Gilles Peterson and Cosey Fanni Tutti, the ceremony affirmed that the UK’s indie scene is not simply surviving in a streaming-dominated era; it is trying to reinvent the contours of an ever-changing industry.

The Wild Fields Festival was first held in 2020 and was created by the team behind the Red Rooster Festival as a way to bring live music and arts to Norwich in a smaller, more intimate setting. The festival was born out of the need to adapt to the changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a safe, outdoor environment for people to enjoy live performances and cultural activities. Despite its relatively recent inception, the festival has quickly grown in popularity and has become a staple in Norfolk’s cultural calendar.

Wild Fields Festival aims to offer a relaxed and inclusive experience, catering to a wide range of musical tastes and artistic interests. The festival’s programme often includes genres like indie, folk, electronic, and more. The family-friendly environment, combined with the scenic outdoor setting, adds to its appeal as a laid-back yet culturally rich festival experience.

Headlining this year was the Ezra Collective. The group is a London-based jazz quintet that has become one of the leading acts in the UK’s contemporary jazz scene. The group is known for its dynamic fusion of jazz with various genres, including Afrobeat, hip-hop, grime, and reggae, creating a vibrant and energetic sound.

The collective is made up of Femi Koleoso on drums, TJ Koleoso on bass, Joe-Armon Jones on keys, James Mollison on saxophone and Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet

In 2023, the group were named as the winners of the Mercury Prize, with FREENOW winning album of the year. The group performed the song Victory Dance after collecting the award which was met with a standing ovation.

Ezra Collective performed alongside other notable artists such as Sampha The Great, SBTRKT, and Kae Tempest, to name just a few.

As stated in Norwich News, festival director Ben Street said:

Wild Fields will be a truly unique event with a varied and progressive musical line-up paired with climate discussions, industry panels and immersive performance.

The festival is very climate-oriented, partnering up with Climate UK to welcome a large, solar-powered pink bus as one of the stages.

Climate Live Bus

The bus is open-topped and solar powered, featuring live music on the top. Next to it there is a campaign stall where the team speak with festival goers about Climate Live and key youth-led UK climate campaigns