Blab Music
Geese and Oklou Dominate 2026 Libera Awards, Partisan Records Crowned Label of the Year
In a night that felt like a celebration of indie grit, the 2026 Libera Awards delivered a resounding chorus of triumph for Geese, Oklou, and Partisan Records. The ceremony, hosted by Merlin and the Foundation for Independent Music with backing from the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), wrapped up Monday evening at Gotham Hall in New York City—just a few blocks from Madison Square Garden.
The event honored 38 independent achievements across every genre, from raw roots to polished pop. Highlights included Geese’s Getting Killed taking Record of the Year, Oklou’s choke enough winning Pop Record, and Partisan Records earning Label of the Year in the 15‑plus category.
Musical performances added sparkle to the proceedings. Mdou Moctar, Valerie June, Dawn Richard, and Aaron Maine of Porches each delivered memorable sets. The night unfolded against a backdrop of pop‑culture moments: the Knicks’ loss in Game Three of the NBA Championship and a wave of boos directed at President Trump in his hometown.
Geese emerged as the most decorated act. The Brooklyn‑based band captured Record of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year (presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka), Marketing Genius, and Best Alternative Rock Record for Getting Killed. A2IM CEO Ian Harrison praised the ceremony as “an extraordinary night and a powerful reminder of what makes the independent music community so special.”
Oklou, the French electronic artist, also collected several honors. She earned Pop Record for choke enough, Best Electronic Record (presented by Redeye Worldwide), Best Remix for “blade bird (Nick León Broward Mix)”, and Music Video of the Year for “viscus” (presented by YouTube). The February 2025 release Choke Enough had already been lauded as one of the best albums of 2025 by Pitchfork and The New York Times.
Partisan Records was named Label of the Year in the 15‑plus category, reflecting its expansive catalog and influence. Mexican Summer took the 6‑14 slot, while True Panther Records won in the 5‑or‑fewer category.
The ceremony also honored industry milestones. Terry McBride and Mark Jowett, co‑founders of Canada’s Nettwerk Music Group, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Rough Trade NYC won the inaugural Libera Award for Best Independent Record Store.
Other notable winners included: - Best American Roots Record: Hayden Pedigo – I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away (Mexican Summer) - Best Blues Record: Antone’s 50th Allstars – The Last Real Texas Blues Album (New West Records) - Best Classical Record: Tiffany Poon – Nature (Pentatone) - Best Country Record: Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman (Loma Vista Recordings) - Best Dance Record: Fcukers – “I Like It Like That” (Ninja Tune) - Best Folk Record: Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time (Jagjaguwar) - Best Global Record: Mdou Moctar – Tears of Injustice (Matador) - Best Heavy Record: Model/Actriz – Pirouette (True Panther) - Best Hip‑Hop/Rap Record: Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out (Clipse, exclusive license to Roc Nation Distribution) - Best Jazz Record: Mei Semones – Animaru (Bayonet) - Best Latin Record: Lido Pimienta – La Belleza (ANTI‑) - Best Outlier Record: Panda Bear – Sinister Grift (Domino) - Best Punk Record: Lambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs Out (City Slang) - Best R&B Record: Thundercat – “Children of the Baked Potato (feat. Remi Wolf)” (Brainfeeder) - Record from Games and Interactive Media: C418 – Minecraft: Alpha + Beta (Ghostly International) - Best Reissue: MF DOOM – Special Herbs (Rhymesayers Entertainment / Metalface Records) - Best Rock Record: Wednesday – Bleeds (Dead Oceans) - Self‑Released Record of the Year: Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party (Post Atlantic) - Best Singer‑Songwriter Record: Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures (Psychic Hotline) - Best Soul/Funk Record: Mavis Staples – Sad And Beautiful World (ANTI‑) - Best Spiritual Record: Lecrae – Reconstruction (Reach Records) - Best Sync Usage: Wet Leg – “mangetout” (Domino) - Best Creative Packaging: MF DOOM – Special Herbs (Rhymesayers Entertainment / Metalface Records)
Merlin’s role as the digital‑rights partner for independent labels was highlighted when Secretly Distribution took Distributor of the Year and Secretly Publishing earned Publisher of the Year. Qobuz received the Independent Champion award, while Secretly Distribution also won Distributor of the Year.
The Libera Awards are part of Indie Week, a multi‑day conference that runs through Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the InterContinental New York Times Square. The results underscore the continued vitality of the independent sector, with artists and labels achieving commercial and critical success outside the major‑label system.
Looking ahead, Geese and Oklou are slated to tour in support of their recent releases. Geese will headline shows in Los Angeles and Chicago, while Oklou will perform at Pop Messe 2026 and several European festivals. The awards also set the stage for upcoming projects from the winning labels, including new releases from Partisan, Mexican Summer, and True Panther.
The 2026 Libera Awards reaffirmed the importance of independent music as a creative and economic force, celebrating artists, labels, distributors, and venues that continue to shape the industry on their own terms.
The event honored 38 independent achievements across every genre, from raw roots to polished pop. Highlights included Geese’s Getting Killed taking Record of the Year, Oklou’s choke enough winning Pop Record, and Partisan Records earning Label of the Year in the 15‑plus category.
Musical performances added sparkle to the proceedings. Mdou Moctar, Valerie June, Dawn Richard, and Aaron Maine of Porches each delivered memorable sets. The night unfolded against a backdrop of pop‑culture moments: the Knicks’ loss in Game Three of the NBA Championship and a wave of boos directed at President Trump in his hometown.
Geese emerged as the most decorated act. The Brooklyn‑based band captured Record of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year (presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka), Marketing Genius, and Best Alternative Rock Record for Getting Killed. A2IM CEO Ian Harrison praised the ceremony as “an extraordinary night and a powerful reminder of what makes the independent music community so special.”
Oklou, the French electronic artist, also collected several honors. She earned Pop Record for choke enough, Best Electronic Record (presented by Redeye Worldwide), Best Remix for “blade bird (Nick León Broward Mix)”, and Music Video of the Year for “viscus” (presented by YouTube). The February 2025 release Choke Enough had already been lauded as one of the best albums of 2025 by Pitchfork and The New York Times.
Partisan Records was named Label of the Year in the 15‑plus category, reflecting its expansive catalog and influence. Mexican Summer took the 6‑14 slot, while True Panther Records won in the 5‑or‑fewer category.
The ceremony also honored industry milestones. Terry McBride and Mark Jowett, co‑founders of Canada’s Nettwerk Music Group, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Rough Trade NYC won the inaugural Libera Award for Best Independent Record Store.
Other notable winners included: - Best American Roots Record: Hayden Pedigo – I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away (Mexican Summer) - Best Blues Record: Antone’s 50th Allstars – The Last Real Texas Blues Album (New West Records) - Best Classical Record: Tiffany Poon – Nature (Pentatone) - Best Country Record: Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman (Loma Vista Recordings) - Best Dance Record: Fcukers – “I Like It Like That” (Ninja Tune) - Best Folk Record: Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time (Jagjaguwar) - Best Global Record: Mdou Moctar – Tears of Injustice (Matador) - Best Heavy Record: Model/Actriz – Pirouette (True Panther) - Best Hip‑Hop/Rap Record: Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out (Clipse, exclusive license to Roc Nation Distribution) - Best Jazz Record: Mei Semones – Animaru (Bayonet) - Best Latin Record: Lido Pimienta – La Belleza (ANTI‑) - Best Outlier Record: Panda Bear – Sinister Grift (Domino) - Best Punk Record: Lambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs Out (City Slang) - Best R&B Record: Thundercat – “Children of the Baked Potato (feat. Remi Wolf)” (Brainfeeder) - Record from Games and Interactive Media: C418 – Minecraft: Alpha + Beta (Ghostly International) - Best Reissue: MF DOOM – Special Herbs (Rhymesayers Entertainment / Metalface Records) - Best Rock Record: Wednesday – Bleeds (Dead Oceans) - Self‑Released Record of the Year: Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party (Post Atlantic) - Best Singer‑Songwriter Record: Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures (Psychic Hotline) - Best Soul/Funk Record: Mavis Staples – Sad And Beautiful World (ANTI‑) - Best Spiritual Record: Lecrae – Reconstruction (Reach Records) - Best Sync Usage: Wet Leg – “mangetout” (Domino) - Best Creative Packaging: MF DOOM – Special Herbs (Rhymesayers Entertainment / Metalface Records)
Merlin’s role as the digital‑rights partner for independent labels was highlighted when Secretly Distribution took Distributor of the Year and Secretly Publishing earned Publisher of the Year. Qobuz received the Independent Champion award, while Secretly Distribution also won Distributor of the Year.
The Libera Awards are part of Indie Week, a multi‑day conference that runs through Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the InterContinental New York Times Square. The results underscore the continued vitality of the independent sector, with artists and labels achieving commercial and critical success outside the major‑label system.
Looking ahead, Geese and Oklou are slated to tour in support of their recent releases. Geese will headline shows in Los Angeles and Chicago, while Oklou will perform at Pop Messe 2026 and several European festivals. The awards also set the stage for upcoming projects from the winning labels, including new releases from Partisan, Mexican Summer, and True Panther.
The 2026 Libera Awards reaffirmed the importance of independent music as a creative and economic force, celebrating artists, labels, distributors, and venues that continue to shape the industry on their own terms.
