Featuring Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Chris Lake, Fred again.., Sara Landry, Mau P, and more.
Photo credit: WMC – Website
The International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) will return to Winter Music Conference (WMC) in 2026, reconnecting two long-running institutions during Miami Music Week. Nominees have now been revealed across both artist and industry categories.
Originally launched in 1985 alongside the early years of Winter Music Conference, the International Dance Music Awards were among the first global honors dedicated exclusively to dance and electronic music. The program recognizes artists, producers, labels, festivals, clubs, media platforms, and industry leaders shaping the culture worldwide.
This year’s nominees reflect the breadth of the contemporary electronic scene. Artists such as Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Sara Landry, and Indira Paganotto appear in the Techno Artist of the Year category, while Chris Lake, Fred again.., John Summit, and Mau P are nominated for Artist of the Year. Elsewhere, figures like Anyma, Eric Prydz, Sasha, and Yotto represent the melodic and progressive spectrum, with acts including Chase and Status, Sub Focus, and Hedex recognized within drum and bass.
The 2026 edition marks a renewed chapter for the awards as they return to the WMC stage. Winners will be revealed during a Bridges For Music x IDMA reception taking place at Winter Music Conference on Thursday, March 26, bringing together nominees, artists, and industry professionals during Miami Music Week.
The program spans a wide range of categories, recognizing both artistic achievement and industry impact. These include Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Album, Best Song (Dance), Best Song (Electronic), Best Remix, Best Label, Best Festival/Event, Best Club, Best Event Series, Best Radio Show or Podcast, and Best Music Media Resource.
Nominees were curated through a research and evaluation process led by the IDMA team alongside members of the newly formed IDMA Advisory Board. The process considered industry publications, chart and streaming data, festival lineups, touring activity, and other indicators of cultural and commercial impact across the electronic music landscape.
Final winners will be determined by the IDMA Advisory Board, composed of managers, agents, promoters, label executives, and other professionals working across the electronic music sector.
More information is available on the official website here.