2023 Libera Awards


The 2023 Libera Awards were held on June 15, 2023, to recognize the best in independent music of 2022 presented by the American Association of Independent Music. The ceremony took place at the Town Hall (New York City)|Town Hall] in New York City and was broadcast on YouTube. American comedian Hannibal Buress hosted the ceremony.
The nominations were announced on March 22, 2023, with British duo Wet Leg leading the nominations with six, followed by Sudan Archives, Allison Russell, Fontaines D.C. and Soul Glo, all with three each. Four new categories were introduced: Best Remix, Best Short-Form Video, Best Singer-Songwriter Record and Best Soul/Funk Record. Additionally, three categories were renamed: Best World Record was renamed into Best Global Record, Best Americana Record into Best American Roots Album, and Best Folk/Bluegrass Album into Best Folk Album.
Wet Leg received the most awards with five wins, including Record of the Year for their self-titled album. Sudan Archives also received multiple awards with two wins, Best R&B Record and Best Breakthrough Artist/Release.

Winners and nominees

The nominees were announced on March 22, 2023. Winners are listed first and in bold.
Record of the YearSelf-Released Record of the Year
Wet LegWet Leg
Two Sisters – Sarah Davachi
  • * "Cool Kids " – Echosmith
  • * Jersey GirlJessie Baylin
  • * Rita Wilson Now & Forever: DuetsRita Wilson
  • * When the Lights GoTotally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
  • A2IM Humanitarian AwardBest Alternative Rock Record
    Killer Mike
  • * Allison Russell
  • * Björk
  • * Hopeless Records
  • * Margo Price
  • * Tegan and Sara
  • Wet LegWet Leg
  • * Blue RevAlvvays
  • * StumpworkDry Cleaning
  • * Laurel HellMitski
  • * PainlessNilüfer Yanya
  • Best American Roots RecordBest Blues Record
    Big TimeAngel Olsen
  • * Fortune Favors the Bold – 49 Winchester
  • * El MiradorCalexico
  • * The Man from WacoCharley Crockett
  • * This Is a PhotographKevin Morby
  • * Denim & DiamondsNikki Lane
  • Done Come Too FarShemekia Copeland
  • * Bloodline MaintenanceBen Harper
  • * Outdated EmotionDelbert McClinton
  • * Set SailNorth Mississippi Allstars
  • * I Need a Job...So I Can Buy More Auto-TuneSwamp Dogg
  • Best Classical RecordBest Country Record
    PigmentsDawn Richard and Spencer Zahn
  • * We Will Live OnDeru
  • * memorie – doeke
  • * Invisible ForcesJames Heather
  • * At the Crest – Jonas Colstrup
  • * Lost & FoundSean Shibe
  • I Walked with You a Ways – Plains
  • * "Cypress Hills and the Big Country" – Colter Wall
  • * Run, Rose, RunDolly Parton
  • * Neon BlueJoshua Hedley
  • * Blackberry RoseLavender Country
  • * "Change of Heart" – Margo Price
  • * Jerry JeffSteve Earle and The Dukes
  • Best Dance RecordBest Electronic Record
    "Water" – Bicep
  • * "Good Times/Problemz" – Jungle
  • * "Happy Ending" – Kelela
  • * "Can't Stop Thinking About" – Logic1000
  • * "Strong" – Romy featuring Fred Again
  • * "DJ Kicks" – Theo Parrish
  • The Last GoodbyeOdesza
  • * FragmentsBonobo
  • * Topical DancerCharlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul
  • * I Love You Jennifer BJockstrap
  • * Let's Turn It Into SoundKaitlyn Aurelia Smith
  • * NymphShygirl
  • * No Rules SandySylvan Esso
  • Best Folk RecordBest Heavy Record
    Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in YouBig Thief
  • * Age of ApathyAoife O'Donovan
  • * QuittersChristian Lee Hutson
  • * Pre PleasureJulia Jacklin
  • * Quiet the RoomSkullcrusher
  • Hellfireblack midi
  • * The Death of Peace of MindBad Omens
  • * "Riptide" – Beartooth
  • * GnosisRussian Circles
  • * Trouble the WaterShow Me the Body
  • * Diaspora ProblemsSoul Glo
  • Best Hip-Hop/Rap RecordBest Jazz Record
    LouieKenny BeatsRTJ Cu4troRun the Jewels
  • * Cheat CodesDanger Mouse and Black Thought
  • * Melt My Eyez See Your FutureDenzel Curry
  • * Few Good ThingsSaba
  • * As Above, So BelowSampa the Great
  • "The Garden Path" – Kamasi Washington
  • * Where I'm Meant to BeEzra Collective
  • * AnyhowLeland Whitty
  • * Living SkyThe Sun Ra Arkestra
  • * New Standars Vol. 1Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Linda May Han Oh, Nicholas Payton, and Matthew Stevens
  • Best Latin RecordBest Outlier Record
    "Ya No Estoy Aquí" – Helado Negro
  • * Boleros PsicodélicosAdrian Quesada
  • * IRE – Combo Chimbita
  • * QuietudeEliane Elias
  • * If You WillFlora Purim
  • * Estrela Acesa – Sessa
  • * MarchitaSilvana Estrada
  • Please Have a Seat – NNAMDÏ
  • * Time SkiffsAnimal Collective
  • * MatisyahuMatisyahu
  • * Jazz CodesMoor Mother
  • * COMETANick Hakim
  • * Glitch Princessyeule
  • Best Pop RecordBest Punk Record
    MunaMUNA
  • * FossoraBjörk
  • * Two RibbonsLet's Eat Grandma
  • * Second NatureLucius
  • * Stay Proud of Me – NoSo
  • * Hold the GirlRina Sawayama
  • * CrybabyTegan and Sara
  • Growing UpThe Linda Lindas
  • * Back HomeBig Joanie
  • * EndureSpecial Interest
  • * The Hum Goes on ForeverThe Wonder Years
  • * LoggerheadWu-Lu
  • Best R&B RecordBest Re-Issue
    Natural Brown Prom QueenSudan Archives
  • * Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette in Memphis Sun Records 70th / Remastered 2022Bettye LaVette
  • * "Texas Sun" – Khruangbin and Leon Bridges
  • * S/TThee Sacred Souls
  • * Remember Your North StarYaya Bey
  • Fela with Ginger Baker Live!Fela Kuti
  • * Bon Iver, 10th Anniversary EditionBon Iver
  • * In My Own Time, 50th Anniversary EditionKaren Dalton
  • * Words & Music, May 1865 Lou Reed
  • * Nancy & LeeNancy Sinatra
  • * Wild CreaturesNeko Case
  • * A Message from the PeopleRay Charles
  • Best Rock RecordBest Singer-Songwriter Record
    Skinty FiaFontaines D.C.
  • * When the Wind Forgets Your NameBuilt to Spill
  • * Fear of the DawnJack White
  • * Sometimes, ForeverSoccer Mommy
  • * Lucifer on the SofaSpoon
  • And in the Darkness, Hearts AglowWeyes Blood
  • * Warm ChrisAldous Harding
  • * "You're Not Alone" – Allison Russell featuring Brandi Carlile
  • * Weather AliveBeth Orton
  • * Boat Songs – MJ Lenderman
  • Best Soul/Funk RecordBest Spiritual Record
    Sentimental Fool – Lee Fields
  • * Live in Stockholm 1972Ray Charles
  • * Love & AlgorhythmsSeratones
  • * The Alien CoastSt. Paul and The Broken Bones
  • * I Need a Job...So I Can Buy More Auto-TuneSwamp Dogg
  • JAMIEMontell Fish
  • * And Now Let's Turn to Page...Brent Cobb
  • * Worship Anywhere: Live from Camp NewBreedIsrael & New Breed
  • * Church Clothes 4Lecrae
  • * Look Up! – The Harlem Gospel Travelers
  • Best Sync UsageBest Global Record
    "A Flower Called Nowhere" by Stereolab in Atlanta
  • * "Go Home" by Angel Olsen in Empire of Light film trailer
  • * "Water No Get Enemy" by Fela Kuti in Airbnb ad
  • * "Don't Lose Sight" by Lawrence in Microsoft ad
  • * "Drink Before the War" by Sinéad O'Connor in Euphoria
  • "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" – Rodrigo y Gabriela
  • * En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig NogDungen
  • * ElectricityIbibio Sound Machine
  • * Let the Festivities Begin!Los Bitchos
  • * Afrique RefaitMdou Moctar
  • * Kel TinariwenTinariwen
  • * Ali (Vieux Farka Touré and [Khruangbin album)|Ali]Vieux Farka Touré and Khruangbin
  • Breakthrough Artist/ReleaseCreative Packaging
    Sudan Archives
  • * Allison Russell
  • * Charlotte Sands
  • * Soul Glo
  • * The Linda Lindas
  • Ants from Up ThereBlack Country, New Road
  • * 2020 Collectors' SetJack White
  • * Words & Music, May 1965 Lou Reed
  • * Laurel HellMitski
  • * Circuital (Deluxe Edition)My Morning Jacket
  • * Dopesmoker, Weedian High-Fi EditionSleep
  • Independent ChampionLabel of the Year (Big)
    Bandcamp
  • * Aaron Axelsen
  • * FUGA
  • * Redeye
  • * Secretly Distribution
  • * TuneCore
  • Partisan Records
  • * ATO Records
  • * Hopeless Records
  • * Merge Records
  • * New West Records
  • * Ninja Tune
  • * Sub Pop Records
  • * Third Man Records
  • * Warp Records
  • Label of the Year (Medium)Label of the Year (Small)
    Captured Tracks
  • * City Slang
  • * Daptone Records
  • * Glassnote Records
  • * Saddle Creek
  • * Yep Roc Records
  • Innovative Leisure
  • * Don Giovanni Records
  • * Fire Talk
  • * Oh Boy Records
  • * Topshelf Records
  • Best Live/Livestream ActBest Remix
    Low Live
  • * Bartees Strange – Live at the Getty
  • * Black Pumas – Colors Live at Abbey Road Studios
  • * Idles – Live on From the Basement
  • * King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard at Red Rocks
  • * Phoebe BridgersGlastonbury 2022
  • * Wet Leg – US 2022 Tour
  • "Too Late Now" – Wet Leg
  • * "Do It to It" – ACRAZE + Tiësto
  • * "Wretched" – Bartees Strange
  • * "Cliché" – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul
  • * "Nothing Is Safe" – Clipping
  • * "Get Sun" – Hiatus Kaiyote
  • * "Midnight Sun" – Nilüfer Yanya
  • Video of the YearBest Short-Form Video
    "Ur Mom" – Wet Leg
  • * "Hawk for the Dove" – Amanda Shires
  • * "Jackie Down the Line" – Fontaines D.C.
  • * "Thank You" – Jaywood
  • * "Parasites" – NoSo
  • * "Spitting Off the Edge of the World" – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  • Mahal TikTok series – Toro y Moi
  • * "Scooter" – Belle and Sebastian
  • * Hellfire TikTok Promotion – Black Midi
  • * The RunnerBoy Harsher
  • * "Pistol" – Cigarettes After Sex
  • * Louie 001 Instagram vignette series – Kenny Beats
  • Marketing GeniusSpecial awards
    Wet LegWet Leg
  • * Skinty FiaFontaines D.C.
  • * IMPERAGhost
  • * Natural Brown Prom QueenSudan Archives
  • * Cool It DownYeah Yeah Yeahs
  • Independent Icon Award: Marshall Allen and The Sun Ra ArkestraIndependent Icon Award: Martha Reeves