WOLF ALICE STAR RAPS NET ABUSE

MERCURY Prize rockers Wolf Alice believe social media is destroying future stars.

The quartet’s singer Ellie Rowsell admits her mental health has suffered under the scrutiny of modern media.

And she thinks other bands are too fearful of making mistakes as a result.

Ellie explained: “I do feel a sense of vulnerability. People who have any celebrity status are scrutinised infinitely more so than the normal person, which is quite scary.

“The intimidation comes because of the online tendency to make mountains out of molehills, but also ever-lurking trolls and the social media currency of abuse.

“Everyone grows up making mistakes, and if everyone’s watching you all the time, then your mistakes are going to be there for people to scrutinise.”

However, Wolf Alice are grateful for the position they find themselves in: “I have the privilege to have a platform to share my ideas and opinions, and that’s also a very powerful and exciting thing.

“We have a host of loyal fans, which can allow you to take risks.” Although they steer clear of social media the success of Wolf Alice empowered Ellie to speak out more on their brilliant nominated album, Visions Of A Life.

She revealed: “If I had an idea but was too embarrassed to suggest it, on the first album, I would just sit there and would keep my mouth shut. “But then on the second album, I was more like, ‘What have I got to lose? I might as well try.”

She explained: “What I’ve learnt most is not letting go of those things that you felt at the start, to not try and normalise your work too much.”