Wolf Alice emphasizes the significance of local venues in their acceptance speech at the Brits 2026.
During their acceptance speech at the Brits, Wolf Alice emphasized the significance of grassroots venues throughout the United Kingdom.
Alongside their performance of ‘The Sofa’ at the Co-op Live, Wolf Alice also triumphed in the ‘Group of the Year’ category.
This was the second occasion they secured the honor in their career, surpassing The Last Dinner Party, Sleep Token, Wet Leg, and Pulp to claim the award.
While accepting the accolade, lead singer Ellie Rowsell expressed gratitude to the individuals and locations that contributed to Wolf Alice’s rise within the British music scene. Rowsell commenced her address with, “We wish to dedicate this honor to everyone who supported us during the formative years of Wolf Alice.”
She remarked, “Launching the band can be the most challenging aspect, and we wouldn’t have achieved this without all the individuals who supported us financially, drove us across the nation, offered us a place to sleep, purchased tickets to our initial performances, and even bought some of our terrible merchandise – though I doubt anyone actually did that.”
Rowsell paid tribute to the venues, many of which have since vanished, where Wolf Alice developed their skills in the band’s formative years and made a significant point about the importance of securing their future.
The vocalist expressed, “We also want to extend our gratitude to all the pubs, clubs, and grassroots venues throughout the nation where we truly honed our skills and crafted our music. We appreciate your hospitality and are thankful to those who strive to keep these spaces alive.”
The ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’ artist emphatically stated, “It’s important to note that even though the live music industry contributes billions to our economy, last year saw the closure of 30 independent venues, the loss of 6,000 jobs, and more than half of the small venues reported no profits whatsoever.”
The statistics referenced by Rowsell originate from a survey conducted by the Music Venue Trust, released in January. This survey also revealed that approximately 6,000 jobs, nearly 22 percent of the entire workforce, have been eliminated in the industry due to rising business rates and increased national insurance contributions.
Her address went on, “It shouldn’t be a struggle for bands and artists to thrive; we shouldn’t have to depend on favors or external funding initiatives to operate at a level we can take pride in. It ought to feel like a legitimate career choice for individuals from any background, not just a lucky break.”
Rowsell’s passionate statement wrapped up with, “Just look around us today and witness the pride we take in Britain’s musical legacy and the significance of fostering and safeguarding the incredible music scene in the UK.”
Check out the speech and the performance by Wolf Alice at the Brits below.
