Blur Still Euphoric

Back in the day the big battle was between Blur and Oasis. You couldn't (openly) be a fan of both the bands. While Oasis had the swagger, Blur were the artsy alternative who still knew how to give it a little bit of feisty attitude. While their anthems mellowed and altered over the years into various mutations, the cheeky demeanour of frontman Damon Albarn never dwindled and their appeal has never waned. As they prepare for a couple of nights at Wembley, the group who have reformed after an eight year hiatus stop off in Wolverhampton to relaunch the venue, The Halls.

With their ninth studio album, The Ballad of Darren, scheduled for release at the end of July, the band's arrival on stage fills the packed out venue with an air of excited tension. Meandering on stage to Tales of the Unexpected, the band greet the audience before launching into St. Charles Square, which Damon simply labeled a new song.

With the teaser for what is to come, the band's set mainly centred around the classics, with fans excited to hear Jubilee live for the first time in over a decade. As Albarn climbed into the audience on several occasions throughout the set, the first performance in Wolverhampton's relaunched space is enthralling.

While Albarn asks the audience to be a little louder in their reaction, they thrillingly chant along to Parklife and riot to Song 2 ahead of the band's first farewell.

With the chants for the band to return proving euphoric, the quartet return to the stage for a sensational six song encore. With Girls & Boys once again getting the audience amped, new single The Narcissist shows it is already loved by fans and the audience continue Tender long after the band has finished. Closing with the epic The Universal, the band are humble and thankful throughout their set and the love is clearly reciprocated by their overjoyed audience.

As venue relaunches go, blur reopening The Halls is one the Midlanders won't forget for a very long time.