A Big Night For Indies At The Grammys

Independent artists and labels had a big year at the 53rd Grammys, taking home 46 awards in a wide variety of categories, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Album Awards in over a dozen categories.

Arcade Fire's 'The Suburbs' win for Album of the Year marks the third consecutive win for Indies in the leading category, following 2010's winner Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' (Big Machine), and 2009's winner Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' 'Raising Sand' (Rounder).  But the upset win for Concord artist Esperanza Spaulding over Justin Beiber as Best New Artist may have been the biggest victory for indie music overall. It also marked the first time that a jazz artist won the New Artist category.

This year also saw the first time, since indie trade group A2IM started keeping track, that independent labels and artists lead the nominations with over 50% of all awards; a sign their of growing strength.  Altogether, independents held 273 of the 542 possible nomination spots according to A2IM.

Here's a full list of Grammy 2011 winners.