The 16th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) truly proved to be a dazzling night dedicated to celebrating music and recognising regional talent, as the star-studded lineup of nominees and performers made this year's instalment of GIMA even more special and extravagant.
Sweeping the awards and winning categories such as Best New Artist, Best Alternative Pop Album, and Best Hip-hop Song was Taiwanese female rapper Hsien Ching, best known for her boundary-breaking music that knows no conformity when it comes to genre and style. Following her big win, Robot Swing swiped the Best Band award with their contagious funk and groove that zooms in to the connection between humans and machines — stealing the hearts of listeners.
Rising rapper someshiit 山姆 earned Best Hip-hop Album, cementing his status as one of Taiwan’s most promising new talents. Being praised for their distinct style that blends traditional and experimental music was Lilium (百合花), which received both Best Album for Everything Will Go Wonderfully and the Jury Award, reflecting the ceremony’s core vision: “To bring music back to its artistic essence and to rekindle a pure love for creation.”
Japan’s ELLE SHIMADA, who won Best Asian Creative Artist, dedicated her award to “girls with big dreams,” embodying the growing presence of empowered women shaping Asia’s music scene.
Outside of the well-deserved awards, the performances that rocked the stage were also not to be missed, as they kicked off with the theme song of this year's GIMA, 'Brave'. Followed by another spectacular performance by, Sorry Youth (拍謝少年) who opened the night with an incredible performance that fused 拚場 piànn-tiûnn deity rituals and thundering percussion, shaking the stage with pure majestic energy. The vibe shifted toward an empowering musical showcase as Lilium (百合花) then joined vocal powerhouse Siri Lee (李竺芯) for an inspirational joint performance that spotlighted gender equality, breaking free from the restraints of boundaries and set limits.
That’s My Shhh and someshiit 山姆 headlined a dynamic lineup of hip-hop artists, channelling the high-octane energy of a true party into a single electrifying performance. Meanwhile, I’mdifficult 我是機車少女 and Andr offered a more intimate, emotionally charged set, exploring themes of courage, empathy, and self-acceptance.
The 16th GIMA showcased Taiwan’s creative energy and Asia’s spirit of artistic independence. Modern Cinema Master (當代電影大師) solidified their identity as the winners of the Best Live Performance category with an intense, immersive set, while Thai rapper AUTTA teamed up with Taiwanese trio The Chairs (椅子樂團) for a dynamic cross-cultural debut blending languages and street visuals. Korean band Silica Gel, last year’s Best Asian Creative Artist, closed the night with powerful performances of' 〈NO PAIN〉 'and '〈APEX〉', leaving audiences on a legendary note.
Capping off an unforgettable evening, the 16th Golden Indie Music Awards stood as a testament to the boundless creativity shaping Asia’s independent music scene. From heartfelt collaborations to genre-defying performances, the night not only honoured artistic excellence but also underscored the shared spirit of innovation uniting regional musicians across borders.
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