The nominations were announced on April 2, 2020 and the ceremony was streamed online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 marked the first year that the award ceremony could be viewed by the public and featured an increased number of musical performances.
Performers included Wyclef Jean, Shabazz Palaces, Salt Cathedral, Orville Peck, Y La Bamba, Sudan Archives, Julia Jacklin, Alejandro Escovedo, Suzanne Ciani, Big Thief, and IDLES.
The show's livestream was hosted by comedian Chris Gethard with event proceeds going toward the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
3 (Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs) - Beth Gibbons Pony - Orville Peck Flamagra - Flying Lotus Crushing - Julia Jacklin uknowhatimsayin¿ - Danny Brown Titanic Rising - Weyes Blood Blume - Nerija Mujeres - Y La Bamba Cry - Cigarettes After Sex Infest the Rats' Nest - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Reward - Cate Le Bon Amyl and the Sniffers - Amyl and the Sniffers Athena - Sudan Archives 2019 Reissue Campaign - Stereolab Partisan Records for the usage of Idles' "Never Fight A Man With a Perm" and "I'm Scum" in Peaky Blinders Amadjar - Tinariwen Orville Peck Flamagra - Flying Lotus Bandcamp Partisan Records Sacred Bones Father/Daughter Records "Hot Girl Summer" - Megan Thee Stallion "Cellophane" - FKA Twigs Independent Icon Award A2IM Lifetime Achievement Award