Johnny Marr to Headline Inaugural AIM Awards Live Show & Receive Pioneer Award
BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne to host Roundhouse-based ceremony
Award submissions extended until 24th June
London, 20 June 2019: Iconic guitarist and former Smiths member Johnny Marr is set to showcase his legendary talents as the headliner for AIM Independent Music Awards’ first ever live show.Before tuning his guitar ahead of the industry gig, Marr will also take to the stage to receive AIM’s Pioneer Award in recognition of his prodigious career spanning nearly 40 years.Making his name as the co-songwriter and guitarist for The Smiths, Marr left the band in 1987 and went on to collaborate with some of the greatest musicians of a generation including Talking Heads, Modest Mouse and New Order’s Bernard Sumner, as well as developing his solo career. Marr achieved considerable success with 2014’s Playland and 2018’s Call the Comet charting in the UK at #9 and #7 respectively. The Pioneer Award honours trailblazers in the independent sector with previous winners including Goldie and Warp’s Steve Beckett.Meanwhile, radio royalty Lauren Laverne will be hosting the awards ceremony. A champion of independent music both on and off air, the BBC Radio 6 Music DJ will be unveiling winners across the 16 categories throughout the night. Recently named Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Laverne is a well-known voice across the BBC as the host of 6 Music’s breakfast show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. She has enjoyed a storied career spanning writing, radio, and television, covering major music events like Glastonbury Festival for the BBC, as well as chart success as the lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist for pop-punk band Kenickie.On performing at the industry awards, Johnny Marr said “Independent music is one of the things the UK does best, and it is great to see it celebrated. It’s a privilege to be awarded the Pioneer Award and I’m looking forward to taking part in this year’s show not only as a recipient but as a performer too.”Commenting on the awards, Lauren Laverne said “Independent music continues to produce some of the most innovative and exciting artists in the world. It has been my pleasure to support them over the years and I’m thrilled to be leading this celebration of independence as the host of the AIM Independent Music Awards 2019.”CEO of AIM Paul Pacifico said “In the year of AIM’s 20th anniversary, it is absolutely appropriate that the AIM Awards steps up a gear and transitions to the legendary Roundhouse. Our first ever live show will feature some of the world’s greatest independent legends and rising stars - a suitable celebration, in size and spectacle, of the creativity, hard work, talent and diversity in the UK’s independent music community.”For this year’s ceremony, AIM has introduced ‘One to Watch’, a free to enter category that champions fast-rising, grassroots independent artists. Prospective applicants will be pleased to hear that the deadline for submissions has been extended until 12pm midday on Monday 24 June. Submissions can be made on the AIM Awards website.The AIM Awards comprises 16 categories including Independent Track and Album, Pioneer, Indie Champion, Small Label and Independent Label. The award for Best Live Act is decided by a public vote, while a judging panel of music journalists and tastemakers will decide the remaining categories.2019 Award CategoriesIndependent LabelInternational BreakthroughInnovator AwardOutstanding Contribution to Music sponsored by MerlinPPL Award for Most Played Independent ActIndependent Video sponsored by VEVOUK Independent BreakthroughBest Creative Packaging sponsored by MCPSBest Live Act sponsored by SongkickIndependent AlbumIndie ChampionOne to WatchIndependent TrackPioneer Award sponsored by Bucks Music GroupBest Small LabelBest [Difficult] Second AlbumAbout AIMAIM is the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market. Now in its 20th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. AIM promotes and supports this exciting and diverse sector globally and provides a range of services, commercial opportunities and practical help to members, enabling them to innovate, grow and break into new markets.For more information please contact katie@namemusic.net or jasper@namemusic.net