The 2021 Libera Awards took place on June 17, 2021, to recognize the best in independent music presented by the American Association of Independent Music.[1] The nominations were announced on March 23, 2021. The years marks the tenth anniversary of the ceremony.[2] The event was streamed live on YouTube.[3]

2021 Libera Awards
DateJune 17, 2021
Websiteliberaawards.com
← 2020 · Libera Awards · 2022 →

A number of category changes took place for the awards. The A2IM Humanitarian Award and Best Spiritual Record were added to the ceremony and . A2IM also made the "Album" categories more inclusive by renaming them "Records." A2IM also renamed a number of categories: Best Live Act to Best Live/Livestream Act; Best Mainstream Rock Album and Best Indie Rock Album to Best Rock Record; and, Best Punk/Emo Album to Best Punk Record.[4]

Winners and nominees

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Record of the Year Best Live/Livestream Act
Phoebe BridgersPunisher Phoebe Bridgers
A2IM Humanitarian Award Best Alternative Rock Record
Killer Mike & EL-P of Run the Jewels Phoebe BridgersPunisher
Best Americana Record Best Blues Record
Bonny Light HorsemanBonny Light Horseman Fantastic NegritoHave You Lost Your Mind Yet?
Best Classical Record Best Country Record
Erik Hall – Music for 18 Musicians (Steve Reich) WaxahatcheeSaint Cloud
Best Dance/Electronic Record Best Folk/Bluegrass Record
CaribouSuddenly Angel OlsenWhole New Mess
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record Best Jazz Record
Run the JewelsRTJ4 Gil Scott-Heron & Makaya McCravenWe’re New Again – A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven
Best Latin Record Best Metal Record
Gabriel Garzón-MontanoAgüita Architects – “Animals” (from For Those That Wish to Exist)
Best Outlier Record Best Punk Record
KhruangbinMordechai IDLESUltra Mono
Best R&B Record Best Re-Issue
ThundercatIt Is What It Is J DillaDonuts (Jelly Edition)
Best Rock Record Best Spiritual Record
Fontaines D.C.A Hero's Death Sun Ra ArkestraSwirling
Best Sync Usage Best World Record
Run the Jewels (Jewel Runners, Inc.) – “Ooh LA LA” – Season three of Netflix's Ozark Altin Gün – “Ordunun Dereleri”

Songhoy BluesOptimisme

Breakthrough Artist/Release Creative Packaging
Arlo Parks Soccer MommyColor Theory limited edition back to school binder
Independent Champion Label of the Year (Large)
Bandcamp Sub Pop
Label of the Year (Medium) Label of the Year (Small)
Light In The Attic Daptone Records
Marketing Genius Video of the Year
Beggars Group – Supporting Indie Retail #loverecordstores Campaign FKA twigs – “Sad Day"
Icon Award

Mavis Staples[3]

Multiple wins and nominations

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Nominees with more than two nominations[4]

Artists

Multiple Wins
Artist Wins
Phoebe Bridgers 5
Run the Jewels
Multiple Nominations
Artist Nominations
Run the Jewels 7
Phoebe Bridgers 5
Perfume Genius
IDLES 3

Record Labels

Performances

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References

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  1. ^ "A2IM names 2021 Libera indie music awards nominees [the full list]". Hypebot. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  2. ^ "Phoebe Bridgers, Run the Jewels & Perfume Genius Among Top Nominees For 2021 Libera Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  3. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (2021-05-13). "Mavis Staples to Be Honored, Arlo Parks and Black Pumas to Perform at A2IM Libera Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  4. ^ a b "2021 Nominees". Libera Awards. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  5. ^ Shaffer, Claire (2021-05-13). "Mavis Staples, Black Pumas, Arlo Parks to Appear at 2021 Libera Awards". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2021-06-14.