Wolf Alice dedicate Group of the Year BRIT Award to grassroots gig venues
Watch the speech
Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell highlighted the plight of grassroots music venues during the band’s acceptance speech for Group of the Year at The BRIT Awards on Saturday night (28th February).
Absolute Radio was extremely proud to be promoting the prestigious Group of the Year category, which saw Wolf Alice triumph at Manchester Co-op Live ahead of Pulp, Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party and Sleep Token.
During the band's acceptance speech, singer Ellie Rowsell said: “It’s worth mentioning that despite the billions of pounds the live sector contributes to our economy, last year 30 independent venues closed down.
“Six thousand jobs were lost, and over half of small venues reported making no profit at all. It shouldn’t be a battle to survive as a band or any artist.
“We shouldn’t be reliant on favours or anyone on funding schemes in order to do things at a level we feel proud of.
“It shouldn’t feel like a golden ticket, but a viable career decision for anyone from any background, because we only have to look around at everyone here today, and see how proud we are of Britain’s musical contribution.
“And how much money there is to be spent to nurture and protect the UK’s amazing music scene.”
Rowsell added: “We want to dedicate this award to all the people who helped us out in the early years of Wolf Alice.
“Starting a band can be the hardest part, and we couldn’t have done it without all the people who lent us money, drove us around the country, let us sleep on their floors, bought tickets to our early shows, and even bought a piece of our atrocious merch.
“Although I don’t think anyone actually did that, that’s completely fair enough.”
Singer Rowsell, guitarist Joff Oddie, drummer Joel Amey and bassist Theo Ellis were presented with the Group of the Year award by Happy Mondays’ Bez and Shaun Ryder.
The BRIT Awards 2026 full winners list:
MASTERCARD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Olivia Dean: 'The Art of Loving'
Dave: 'The Boy Who Played the Harp'
Lily Allen: 'West End Girl'
Sam Fender: 'People Watching'
Wolf Alice: 'The Clearing'
POP ACT
WINNER: Olivia Dean
JADE
Lily Allen
Lola Young
RAYE
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Olivia Dean
Dave
Fred again..
JADE
Lily Allen
Lola Young
PinkPantheress
Sam Fender
Self Esteem
SONG OF THE YEAR WITH MASTERCARD
WINNER: Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean): 'Rein Me In'
Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas: 'Blessings'
CHRYSTAL, NOTION The Days - 'NOTION Remix CHAOS'
Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande): 'Defying Gravity'
Ed Sheeran: 'Azizam'
Fred again.. and Skepta: 'PlaqueBoyMax Victory Lap'
Lewis Capaldi: 'Survive'
Lola Young: 'Messy'
Myles Smith: 'Nice To Meet You'
Olivia Dean: 'Man I Need'
RAYE: 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!'
Skye Newman: 'Family Matters'
ALTERNATIVE/ROCK ACT
WINNER: Sam Fender
Blood Orange
Lola Young
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice
INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars: 'APT'
Alex Warren: 'Ordinary'
Chappell Roan: 'Pink Pony Club'
Disco Lines & Tinashe: 'No Broke Boys'
Gigi Perez: 'Sailor Song'
Gracie Abrams: 'That's So True'
HUNTR/X - EJAE/ Audrey Nuna/ REI AMI: 'Golden'
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars: 'Die With A Smile'
Ravyn Lenae: 'Love Me Not'
Sabrina Carpenter: 'Manchild'
Sombr: 'undressed'
Taylor Swift: 'The Fate of Ophelia'
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
WINNER: Lola Young
Barry Can't Swim
EsDeeKid
Jim
Skye Newman
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ROSALÍA
Bad Bunny
Chappell Roan
CMAT
Doechii
Lady Gaga
Sabrina Carpenter
Sombr
Taylor Swift
Tyler, The Creator
R&B ACT
WINNER: SAULT
Jim Legxacy
kwn
Mabel
Sasha Keable
DANCE ACT
WINNER: Fred again../Skepta/ PlaqueBoyMax
Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
FKA twigs
PinkPantheress
Sammy Virji
HIP HOP, GRIME, RAP ACT
WINNER: Dave
Central Cee
Jim Legxacy
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Geese
HAIM
HUNTR/X - EJAE/ Audrey Nuna/ REI AMI
Tame Impala
Turnstile
GROUP OF THE YEAR - Promoted by Absolute Radio
WINNER: Wolf Alice
The Last Dinner Party
Pulp
Sleep Token
Wet Leg