The 17th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) will bring together independent artists from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea for a night of cross-cultural collaborations and genre-spanning performances on October 31, 2026, at the Taipei Music Center in Taiwan. Centered on this year’s theme, “觸 TRUE,” the ceremony will celebrate authentic musical expression and the growing connections across Asia’s independent music scene.
Japanese alternative rock band Tempalay will appear as a special international guest with a performance titled “觸 TRUE,” inspired by this year’s awards theme. Known for their psychedelic sound and experimental approach, the band will bring its distinctive musical style to the Taipei stage.
Another highlight is “ODD WAVES,” a collaboration between South Korean musician Wonjin and Taiwanese math-rock trio Elephant Gym, bringing together their contrasting musical approaches in a special performance created for the ceremony.
Special Collaborations Take Center Stage
The ceremony will feature several collaborations showcasing the diversity of Taiwan’s independent music community. Indigenous singer-songwriter Sauljaljui and jazz musician Yuhan Su will join TBT (Taiwu Ballads Troupe) for “FROM HERE TO ANYWHERE,” blending traditional and contemporary sounds.
Meanwhile, FunkyMo and Chen Yi Heng, joined by special guest Allison Lin, will present “SOUNDS LIKE HOME.” MyLanguagePracticeBook, DJ MR.SKIN, DJ Didilong, and SherryZ will also team up for “PRESS PLAY, MOVE YOUR SOUL,” a rhythm-driven showcase celebrating music’s ability to bring people together.
The winner of this year’s Best Live Performance Award will take the stage for “LIVE A LIFE,” a special segment highlighting the energy and creativity of live music.
Record Submissions Highlight Taiwan’s Independent Music Scene
Beyond its performance lineup, GIMA continues to recognize achievements in independent music across Taiwan and Asia. This year’s awards received a record 4,242 submissions, with 109 nominated works competing across 21 categories, reflecting the continued growth of Taiwan’s original music scene.
Among the leading nominees, Sunset Rollercoaster received five nominations for their album QUIT QUIETLY, including Best Album, Best Band, and Best Alternative Pop Album. Emerging artist Malpaca earned six nominations for ((No wool. No hump)).
The Best Asian Creative Artist Award also recorded a new milestone, attracting 105 submissions from across Asia. This year’s nominees include ena mori, KIKI, SHNTI, N.Y.P.D., and NAMDO CALLING, highlighting the breadth of creative talent emerging from the region.
Watch The Ceremony From Across Asia
The 17th GIMA will be livestreamed internationally, allowing audiences beyond Taiwan to experience the ceremony and discover independent artists from across Asia. Viewers in South Korea can watch through the PRIZM App, while audiences in Japan can tune in via SPACE SHOWER’s official YouTube channel. International viewers elsewhere can watch through the official Golden Indie Music Awards YouTube channel.
Event Information
- Event: 17th Golden Indie Music Awards
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m. Taiwan time (UTC+8)
- Venue: Taipei Music Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Livestream: PRIZM App (South Korea); SPACE SHOWER YouTube (Japan); official Golden Indie Music Awards YouTube channel (other international audiences)
With “觸 TRUE” as its guiding theme, the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards aims to connect cultures, generations, and genres through authentic musical expression and international collaboration.
For updates, follow GIMA on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
About The Golden Indie Music Awards
The Golden Indie Music Awards is a Taiwanese music awards program dedicated to recognizing original music, artistic diversity, creative freedom, and the independent spirit. Beyond celebrating local artists, GIMA fosters connections between Taiwan and the wider Asian music community through international collaborations, cross-border performances, and music industry exchanges.
