TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 15th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) were held on Saturday (Nov. 2), with Kaohsiung-based jazz fusion group Elephant Gym winning the Best Band Award while Bremen Entertainment Inc. won Best Album for “The Great Bremen Show.”

Taiwanese rock icon Wu Bai (伍佰) was also on stage as a presenter. He also received an award for special contributions to music through his participation in “The Next Big Thing,” a concert series and TV show that helps young artists enter the mainstream, per CNA.

Wu Bai said the program started 15 years ago, and the staff has grown both behind the scenes and onstage. Along the way, it has nurtured many successful musicians.

“As long as you are still going, I think you have succeeded. I hope it can continue to go forward and allow more young bands to have the opportunity to be heard by more people,” said Wu Bai.

Another honorary award was presented by Sam Yang (楊大正), frontman of the Taiwanese rock band Fire EX. He gave the Jury Award posthumously to Wayne Liu (劉暐), late guitarist and singer of alternative rock band Wayne's So Sad.

The event emcee, Huang Hao-ping (黃豪平), dressed up as popular music critic Rozette while introducing the awards ceremony. The pre-taped sketch shows music, aided by the internet, has no borders.

One of the highlights of the show was an appearance by singer Kitani Tatsuya who performed the song "Where Our Blue Is” from the O no Abode" from the popular anime series "Bleach: The Thousand Year Blood War,” bringing the award show to an exciting climax. 

15th Golden Indie Music Award winners

Best Album Award: "The Great Bremen Show"

Best Band Award: Elephant Gym "The World"

Best Singer-Songwriter Award: Joanna Wang (王若琳) "Hotel La Rut"

Best Newcomer Award:  Aquaman (阿跨面), aka Wang Ching-yi (王景鐿)