Music Industry Moves: Dawn Richard, Valerie June to Perform at Libera Indie Awards; Universal Music Expands Mental-Health Initiatives

May 14, 2026 1:03pm PT Music Industry Moves: Dawn Richard, Valerie June to Perform at Libera Indie Awards; Universal Music Expands Mental-Health Initiatives

By Jem Aswad

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Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

R&B-pop artist Dawn Richard, singer-songwriter Valerie June, Nigerian guitar innovator Mdou Moctar and electronic artist Porches will perform at the 2026 Libera Awards, the Foundation for Independent Music and the American Association of Independent Music have announced. The awards are presented by Merlin. The awards take place in New York on Monday, June 8 at the historic Gotham Hall in New York City.

Also at the event, FIM and A2IM will honor Terry McBride and Mark Jowett, co-founders of Nettwerk Music Group, with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The recognition celebrates their decades-long commitment to artist development, innovation, and leadership within the global independent music sector.

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