The sixth annual AIM Independent Music Awards are now accepting entries.

As of Tuesday May 3, you can enter into any of the 10 categories. AIM Independent Music Awards celebrate the talent and influence of the independent sector in the UK. 

Entries are considered by an expert panel of judges from across the media and music industry and this year will be judged by Alison Howe, executive producer of Later with Jools Holland, Joe Zadeh from Noisey, Tom Doyle from Rock Sound, Clara Amfo from Radio 1 and Maz Tappuni from Radio X.  They join a panel that includes representatives from Radio 1 and 1Xtra, 6Music, Radio X, Drowned In Sound, The Quietus, Mixmag, The Independent, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, DIY and FACT Magazine.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday May 24, application forms can be downloaded now from the awards website. The awards will take place at The Brewery in Clackenwell, London on Tuesday September 6.

2016 Awards: 

Best Small label

Best 'Difficult' Second Album

Special Catalogue Release of the Year

Hardest Working Band or Artist

Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival

Independent Breakthrough of the Year

Independent Label of the Year *

Independent Video of the Year

Innovator Award *

Indie Champion Award *

Best Live Act

Independent Track of the Year

Independent Album of the Year

PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Act *

Outstanding Contribution to Music *

Pioneer Award *

* Categories shortlisted by judging panel and not open for entry. 

Ahead of her new LP Kidsticks, Beth Orton has released the video for single ‘1973’.

Out on Friday May 27 via ANTI- Records, Kidsticks was co-produced by Beth and Andrew Hung from F*ck Buttons. It was recorded with various musician friends of Beth’s in California including George Lewis Jr. from Twin Shadow on electric guitars, Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor on backing vocals and bass guitar and Dustin O'Halloran from A Winged Victory for the Sullen who provided piano and string arrangements.

On the new track Beth said: “1973 plays with this idea of memory and reality. There's a surreal nature to Tierney's work that I love, as well as her use of the Californian landscape and light."

You can watch the new video now below:

Live dates:

May 27th/28th Brighton Festival

May 30th Rough Trade In-store 

July 24th Deershed Festival, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire

August 6th Caught by the River Thames Festival, Fulham Place, London