The nominees for the 2026 International Dance Music Awards have been announced. Categories encompass artists, genres, events and media, with many of the world’s biggest DJs and the year’s biggest songs represented in the nominee fields.
Leading the nominees in the artist of the year category are Chris Lake, Fred again.., John Summit, Mau P and Sara Landry, with breakthrough artist of the year nominations going to Chloé Caillet, Jackie Hollander, Josh Baker, Kettama and Ki/Ki.
The nominations include a nod to Billboard Dance in the best music media resource category, where the other nominees include 1001Tracklists, Beatportal, DJ Lovers Club, DJ Mag, Mixmag and Resident Advisor.
Voting for the IDMAs was conducted by the newly formed IDMA Advisory Board, with winners to be announced on March 26 during a reception by IDMA and youth music education focused nonprofit Bridges For Music happening at Winter Music Conference. This reception will be open to all Winter Music Conference badge holders. IDMA nominees were selected through research and evaluation process conducted by the IDMA team in collaboration with members of the IDMA Advisory Board.
This is the first edition of the IDMAs since 2019. The awards originally launched in 1985 during the first years of WMC as one of the first awards dedicated solely to dance and electronic music, and the artists labels, clubs, festivals and media platforms that exist within it.
See the complete nominee list below.
Artist of the Year
- Chris Lake
- Fred again..
- John Summit
- Mau P
- Sara Landry
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- Chloé Caillet
- Jackie Hollander
- Josh Baker
- Kettama
- Ki/Ki
Best Album
- Charlotte de Witte – Charlotte de Witte
- Chris Lake – Chemistry
- Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
- Sammy Virji – Same Day Cleaning
- Skrillex – FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3
Best Song (Dance)
- Anyma feat. Ellie Goulding – “Hypnotized”
- Chris Lake & Amber Mark – “In My Head”
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
- Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”
- Sammy Virji – “I Guess We’re Not The Same”
Best Song (Electronic)
- Amelie Lens & Charlotte de Witte – “One Mind”
- Barry Can’t Swim – “About To Begin”
- Four Tet – “Into Dust”
- Mau P – “Like I Like It”
- Skrillex – “Voltage”
- Soulwax – “All Systems Are Lying”
Best Remix
- Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone (MPH Remix)”
- Chrystal – “The Days (Notion Remix)”
- Cloonee, Young M.A, InntRaw – “Stephanie (HNTR Remix)”
- Empire Of The Sun – “Walking On A Dream (BLOND:ISH Extended Remix)”
- The Chemical Brothers – “Galvanize (Chris Lake Extended Mix)”
Best Label
- Anjunabeats
- Black Book
- Defected
- Drumcode
- Experts Only
- Insomniac
- Toolroom
Best Festival/Event
- Burning Man (U.S.)
- Coachella (U.S.)
- Creamfields (U.K.)
- Dekmantel (Netherlands)
- EDC Las Vegas (U.S.)
- Tomorrowland (Belgium)
- Ultra Music Festival (U.S.)
Best Club
- Amnesia (Ibiza)
- Drumsheds (UK)
- Echostage (D.C.)
- Hï (Ibiza)
- Space (Miami)
- UNVRS (Ibiza)
- Ushuaïa (Ibiza)
Best Event Series
- Breakaway
- Circoloco
- Defected
- Elrow
- Experts Only
- Music On
- RESISTANCE
Best Radio Show/Podcast
- A State of Trance (Armin van Buuren)
- BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix
- CLUBLIFE (Tiësto)
- Drumcode Radio Live (Adam Beyer)
- Group Therapy Radio (Above & Beyond)
- Heldeep Radio (Oliver Heldens)
- Toolroom Radio
Best Music Media Resource
- 1001Tracklists
- Beatportal
- Billboard Dance
- DJ Lovers Club
- DJ Mag
- Mixmag
- Resident Advisor
Dance Artist of the Year
- Chris Lake
- Dom Dolla
- John Summit
- Mau P
- Oliver Heldens
Techno Artist of the Year
- Amelie Lens
- Charlotte de Witte
- Eli Brown
- Indira Paganotto
- Sara Landry
House Artist of the Year
- Chloé Caillet
- Franky Rizardo
- Hot Since 82
- Jonas Blue
- Max Dean
Melodic House/Techno Artist of the Year
- Anyma
- Cassian
- Layton Giordani
- Miss Monique
- RÜFÜS DU SOL
Progressive House Artist of the Year
- Christoph
- Eric Prydz
- John Digweed
- Sasha
- Sebastien Leger
- Yotto
Tech House Artist of the Year
- Josh Baker
- Max Styler
- Odd Mob
- Pawsa
- Prospa
Afro House Artist of the Year
- Adam Port
- Alex Wann
- Hugel
- Rampa
- Vanco
Trance Artist of the Year
- Above & Beyond
- Armin van Buuren
- Ferry Corsten
- Markus Schulz
- Marlon Hoffstadt
Bass Artist of the Year
- Excision
- GRiZ
- Illenium
- Subtronics
- Sullivan King
- Zeds Dead
Drum & Bass Artist of the Year
- Andy C
- Chase & Status
- Dimension
- Hedex
- Sub Focus
