IDOL artists and labels up for Libera Awards 2026

The A2IM Libera Awards, presented by Merlin, stand as one of the flagship events for the global indie community, spotlighting the artists, labels and teams pushing the culture forward beyond the mainstream narrative. From boundary-pushing albums to forward-thinking labels, the Libera Awards champion the diversity, experimentation and entrepreneurial spirit that define the sector. Each nomination is a testament to the resilience and creativity of indie players worldwide and a reminder of how vital indie music remains to the health of the wider industry.

If you are eligible to vote, make sure to support your favourite IDOL artists and labels in this year’s Libera Awards.

We are in the running for Distributor of the Year as a 100% independent partner, celebrating 20 years of sustainable growth, selective signings and high quality services for leading artists and labels. After our 2025 nomination in this category, we hope to mark this 20th anniversary with a new recognition in 2026.

Mexican Summer, the Brooklyn based powerhouse behind trailblazing artists like Cate Le Bon, Iceage, L’Rain and Connan Mockasin, is once again nominated for Label of the Year (6–14 employees), after taking home the award in 2025.

The Brazilian singer-songwriter Sessa has earned a nomination in the Best Latin Record category for his album, Pequena Vertigem de Amor. Released by Mexican Summer, the album stands out in contemporary Latin music for its poetic lyrics and sensual, samba-infused psychedelic folk, establishing Sessa’s importance as an artist.

Hayden Pedigo’s album, I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away, has secured a nomination in the Best American Roots Record Category at the Libera Awards. Released by Mexican Summer, the instrumental guitarist’s evocative work is lauded for expanding the American Roots genre. Pedigo achieves this by merging classic acoustic components with introspective, atmospheric soundscapes that evoke a strong sense of locale and cinematic scope.

Jazz legend Marshall Allen, longtime member and now leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, is nominated in the Best Jazz Record category for New Dawn, his debut solo album released by Mexican Summer. This nomination highlights both his decades of work with Sun Ra and the Arkestra and his continued exploration of free improvisation and cosmic themes under his own name.

Lambrini Girls have secured a highly coveted nomination for Breakthrough Artist. This recognition celebrates the act’s emergence and significant impact on the music scene marking them as one of the most exciting new independent acts to watch.

Further solidifying their rising status, Lambrini Girls are also nominated in the Best Punk Record category for their album Who Let The Dogs Out, released by City Slang. This nomination acknowledges the high quality and critical success of their raw and energetic punk output.

The Best Remix category sees two City Slang artists celebrated for imaginative re-interpretations of their work:

Faux Real – ‘Walking Away From My Demons (Wet Leg Remix)’
The nomination for the Libera Award recognizes the distinct, fresh remix of the song ‘Walking Away From My Demons‘, a notable result of the successful collaboration between the art-pop duo Faux Real and the celebrated indie rock band Wet Leg.

Lambrini Girls – ‘Cuntology 101 (Peaches Remix)’
Lambrini Girls receive their third nomination, this time for a remix of ‘Cuntology 101‘ masterfully executed by the influential electro-clash artist Peaches. This powerful remix showcases the versatility of the original track and the intergenerational support within the alternative music scene.

The nomination of Parchman Prison Prayer’s Another Mississippi Sunday Morning for the Best Spiritual Record highlights a powerful intersection of musical tradition, documentary-style recording, and profound human experience. The album, released by the internationally respected label Glitterbeat Records, is a raw, unvarnished collection of spiritual music captured within the walls of Parchman Prison, the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

Full list of nominees

You have until Wednesday, April 1st to vote here. The ceremony will take place on Monday June 9th at Gotham Hall, New York.