Ena Mori and Shnti Among Golden Indie Music Awards 2026 Nominees

Taiwan’s original music awards received 4,242 submissions, with a record 105 entries for Best Asian Creative Artist.

ena mori and SHNTI are among the nominees for Best Asian Creative Artist at the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards, joining a regional lineup that reflects the growing connections between Taiwan and music communities across Asia.

ena mori’s Ore and SHNTI’s Melting PT. are nominated alongside works by KIKI, N.Y.P.D. 南洋派對, and NAMDO CALLING. The category, which recognizes artists from Asia outside Taiwan, received a record 105 entries this year.

Across all categories, the Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) received 4,242 submissions, highlighting the range of original music represented in its 2026 edition.

The awards ceremony will take place on October 31, 2026, at Taipei Music Center, with a livestream available to international audiences.

Five Works Compete for Best Asian Creative Artist

The Best Asian Creative Artist category gives listeners a starting point for discovering music from different parts of the region.

This year’s nominated works are:

For audiences following ena mori and SHNTI, the nominations place their work within a wider conversation about contemporary Asian music. For listeners discovering the category for the first time, the shortlist offers five releases to explore.

Sunset Rollercoaster Earns Multiple Nominations

Sunset Rollercoaster is another prominent name in this year’s lineup.

The band’s album QUIT QUIETLY is nominated for Best Album, Best Band, and Best Alternative Pop Album, while “Bluebird” is nominated for Best Alternative Pop Song.

Tseng Kuo Hung also received a Best Singer-songwriter nomination for QUIT QUIETLY.

The wider nominee list spans jazz, electronic music, hip-hop, and works rooted in different languages and local cultural traditions. Together, these categories show the variety of sounds shaping Taiwan’s contemporary music scene.

“觸 TRUE” Celebrates Music That Connects

The theme of the 17th edition is “觸 TRUE,” pairing the expression 觸 with the English word “TRUE.”

As explained in the announcement, 觸 describes the feeling of being emotionally struck by something or finding that it deeply resonates. The theme centers on authentic creative expression and how music can connect with people across cultures.

This year’s jury is chaired by Fang Q, bassist of Taiwanese band Cosmos People. He described the 4,242 submissions as a reflection of the vitality and creative diversity of Taiwan’s music community.

Yuhan Su and Blue Note Taipei Receive Special Honors

Beyond the competitive categories, Yuhan Su will receive the Jury Award for Over The Moons.

The GIMA Impact Award will honor Blue Note Taipei and its founder, Tsai Bop, recognizing their long-standing contribution to Taiwan’s jazz culture and live music scene.

These honors acknowledge both recorded work and the people and venues that help music communities grow. Live spaces give artists somewhere to perform, develop their work, and build relationships with audiences.

GIMA LIVE Leads into the October Ceremony

Before the main awards night, GIMA LIVE will take place on October 21 and 22, 2026, at CORNER MAX in Taipei.

The showcase will feature final performances from the Best Live Performance nominees, leading to the selection and announcement of the winner.

The 17th Golden Indie Music Awards ceremony begins at 7:00 PM on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Taipei Music Center. Taipei and the Philippines share the same time zone, so Filipino viewers can follow the livestream at 7:00 PM Philippine time. The ceremony and showcase dates are also reflected in coverage of the nominee announcement.

For music fans, this year’s nominations offer an opportunity to explore releases across languages, genres, and communities before the winners are announced.

Follow GIMA’s official Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels for the complete nominee list, showcase lineup, and livestream updates.