The Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) is back with a star-studded roster of talented nominees and exciting guest performers who are set to make the night even more special with their appearances.
Being Taiwan's premier independent music awards, music lovers can look forward to a night of spectacular performances during the grand ceremony that is set to take place on 1 November at the Taipei Music Center and will be available to watch via livestream in South Korea and Thailand.
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For the 16th edition of GIMA, the awards see the importance of giving the stage to incredibly gifted regional talents as they command the spotlight with the very hits that put them on the musical radar. This year's bill of guest performers features Korean indie rock trailblazers Silica Gel and a dynamic collaborative performance with Thai rapper AUTTA, who will be accompanied on stage by breakout Taiwanese folk pop trio The Chairs.
Sticking to this year's theme of "Brave," this year's installment of the awards welcomes new beginnings in addition to border-defying collaboration. This year, GIMA will be honoring the Best Asian Creative Artist Award, spotlighting Asia's most vibrant musicians that defy genres and showcase their individuality through each note and lyric.
Out of 60 entries submitted from across Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, names such as South Korean electro punk duo Fat Hamster and KANG New, rising South Korean R&B and neo-soul artist Jacqui, Indonesian indie darlings Lomba Sihir, rock hitmakers .Feast, and ELLE SHIMADA, a Tokyo-born violinist, producer, and vocalist based in Melbourne.
The 2025 GIMA sees 4,052 submissions from across Asia, including names such as lauded rapper and songwriter Hsien Ching (陳嫺靜), who has swept The GIMA with a whopping seven nominations in regard to her duo albums If We Can Be Happy Happy Every Day, Who Wants to Be Sad:)) and If We Can Be Happy Happy Every Day, Who Wants to Be Sad:＊ that show off her distinct musicality that helps her stand out in Taiwan's independent music scene.
Joining the list is Lilium (百合花), with their innovative mix of traditional Taiwanese instruments and rock elements that create their signature flair that exudes from their album Everything Will Go Wonderfully, earning them six nominations.
Other notable nominees feature both established and rising talents, including Enno Cheng (鄭宜農), Modern Cinema Master (當代電影大師), YELLOW (黃宣), Dinosaur’s Skin (恐龍的皮), and Andr, all of whom have garnered notable acclaim.
As the 16th Golden Indie Music Awards prepare to take centre stage, the celebration stands as a powerful reminder of the creativity, diversity, and boundary-pushing spirit that define not only Taiwan but Asia’s music scene.
Keep up with updates on The GIMA on their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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