Bearded Theory and all the winners from AIM Awards

Inaugural event celebrates independent music

Chris Swindells - 11 November 2011

With the news this week that independent festivals contribute £222 million to the UK economy, the 'Golden Welly' award for best independent festival never seemed more relevant. The Virtual Festivals sponsored award went to Bearded Theory which celebrated its fourth consecutive sell out year in 2011. 

Check out our 8.5/10 review of Bearded Theory this summer.

Rob da Bank walked away with 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award. Surely the hardest working man in indie he manages both Bestival and Camp Bestival under his company Sunday Best which operates principally as a record label for acts such as Dub Pistols, The Cuban Brothers and dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip.

Frank Turner was celebrating as he picked up two awards for 'Best Live Act' and 'Hardest Working Artist'. The punk-folk troubadour was in high spirits as he performed at the ceremony and took a chance to reflect on 179 in the last year. There's no signs he's slowing down either, with more UK dates on the horizon.

We caught up with Frank this week to chat about the success, plans for the future and fears over his biggest ever headline show at Wembley Arena! Read the interview here.

Adele came out another worthy winner from the night, walking away with two awards, for 'Most Played Independent Artist' and 'Best Difficult Second Album'.

The full list of winners of the AIM Awards 2011:

Independent Entrepreneur of the Year
Rob da Bank (Sunday Best Recordings / Bestival / Camp Bestival / AIF / Radio 1)

Best Difficult Second Album
21 – Adele (XL)

Catalogue Release of the Year
Matador at 21 – Various Artists (Matador Records)

Best Small Label
Stolen Recordings

Hardest Working Artist
Frank Turner (Xtra Mile)

Innovative Marketing Campaign of the Year
Ninja Tune - 'Ninja Tune XX' campaign

Independent Breakthrough of the Year
SBTRKT (XL)

Indie Champion
John Robb, Louder Than War

Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival
Bearded Theory

PPL Award for Most Played Independent Artist
Adele (XL)

Best Live Act
Frank Turner

Pioneer Award
Laurence Bell (Domino)

Outstanding Contribution to Music
Bjork (One Little Indian)

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