INTERNATIONAL DANCE MUSIC AWARDS RETURN TO WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE IN 2026
The International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) are officially returning to Winter Music Conference (WMC) in 2026, marking a major reunion between two of electronic music’s longest-standing institutions during Miami Music Week. With nominees now unveiled across artist and industry categories, voting by the newly formed IDMA Advisory Board is underway to determine this year’s winners, who will be revealed during a special Bridges For Music x IDMA reception at WMC on Thursday, March 26.
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. For nearly four decades, the IDMAs have recognized the artists, producers, labels, festivals, clubs, media platforms, and industry leaders who have helped shape the evolution of electronic music worldwide. The 2026 edition signals both a meaningful homecoming and a renewed commitment to celebrating excellence across the full spectrum of the culture.
This year’s program features a broad range of categories recognizing both artistic achievement and industry impact. Industry honors 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/Podcast, and Best Music Media Resource.
In addition, genre-focused artist categories highlight leaders across Dance, Techno, House, Melodic House/Techno, Progressive House, Tech House, Afro House, Trance, Bass, and Drum & Bass, reflecting the global diversity and influence of today’s electronic music landscape.
Nominees were curated through a comprehensive research and evaluation process conducted by the IDMA team in collaboration with members of the IDMA Advisory Board. The process included analysis of leading electronic music publications and industry media, publicly available chart and streaming data, major festival lineups, touring activity, and other widely recognized indicators of cultural and commercial impact within the global dance music ecosystem. Advisory Board members were also invited to submit write-in nominations, helping ensure the final ballot reflects both measurable performance and informed industry perspective.
Winners across all major categories will be determined by the IDMA Advisory Board, a group of respected leaders from across the electronic music industry, including prominent managers, agents, promoters, label executives, and other key voices shaping the business and culture of dance music worldwide. This peer-driven voting process reinforces the credibility and integrity of the awards, ensuring that honorees are recognized by professionals actively working within the industry.
Winners will be revealed and select awards presented during a special Bridges For Music x IDMA reception at Winter Music Conference on Thursday, March 26. The ceremony will bring together artists, nominees, and industry leaders for an evening celebrating excellence across the global electronic music community.
The reception will be open to Winter Music Conference badge holders, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the International Dance Music Awards as part of Miami Music Week’s broader industry gathering. Additional details surrounding the reception and award presentations will be announced in the coming weeks.
As electronic music continues to expand its global cultural and commercial footprint, the return of the International Dance Music Awards represents a pivotal moment – honoring the genre’s legacy while recognizing the artists and organizations shaping its future.
2026 IDMA NOMINEES
Industry Categories:
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 (US)
Coachella (US)
Creamfields (UK)
Dekmantel (Netherlands)
EDC Las Vegas (US)
Tomorrowland (Belgium)
Ultra Music Festival (US)
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
Artist Categories:
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
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL DANCE MUSIC AWARDS
The International Dance Music Awards (IDMAs) will return to Winter Music Conference in 2026, marking a meaningful homecoming for one of electronic music’s most respected honors. First launched in 1985 alongside the early years of the Winter Music Conference, the awards were created to recognize excellence across the rapidly growing global dance music scene. Over the decades, the IDMAs have celebrated pioneering DJs, producers, labels, and tracks that helped define generations of club culture and electronic sound.
For more information visit wintermusicconference.com/idma/
ABOUT WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE
As the longest-running electronic music conference, Winter Music Conference (WMC) has been a cornerstone of dance culture since 1985, fostering creativity, education, and collaboration across the global electronic music community. Co-founded by Bill Kelly and Louis Possenti and acquired by ULTRA Worldwide in 2018, WMC continues to evolve as a premier annual gathering for professionals, creators, and fans shaping the future of electronic music.
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