2010s

In recent years the Civic and Wulfrun Halls have continued to be both a springboard and a familiar home for some of the biggest acts of the day.

Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith both played here before they went on to huge success, award winners Florence + the Machine and Paloma Faith stormed the halls and old favourites Blondie and Robert Plant gave triumphant gigs.

The 2010s started in fine form with a set from Mumford and Sons in March. The band clearly enjoyed their time here too, writing in the visitor book: “What a fun show. Thanks so much.”

Over two dates in May, Florence + The Machine played to sell-out crowds at the Civic – the band was riding high on the success of their debut album Lungs.

By the end of October that year, Lungs had been in the UK Top 40 for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010.

In June 2010, the Civic welcomed 70s punk pop pioneers Blondie on their Endangered Species tour. The set list featured new material and a selection of their classic hits.

A further powerful female performance came in November when singer-songwriter Paloma Faith took to the stage.

She was deeply enthusiastic about the venue, expressing her love for the Civic in the visitors book with a: “Yes yes Civic Hall! What about the jacuzzi bath in the dressing room? Amazing touch!”

By 2011, the big names just kept coming with James Blunt even playing on his birthday – February 22.

In November Brit Award winner James Morrison was on tour with his new album The Awakening, a record which drew on events in his personal life.

screams that almost shattered the walls

In December 2011 came a show for which fans had been queuing from 6.30am. The performance opened with, as the Express & Star review put it, ”screams that almost shattered the walls.”

The excitement was due to Wolverhampton's own Liam Payne and his One Direction bandmates who brought an indoor snowstorm, lavish big-screen videos and a live band to the Civic.

The set-up proved the international draw of the band – one tweet projected onto the big-screen revealed that two super fans had travelled to Wolverhampton all the way from LA and Arizona just for the gig.

In January 2012 the yet-to-be-stellar Ed Sheeran played two nights. He had released his debut album + the previous September and went on to pick up Brit Awards for best British male solo artist and British breakthrough act at the awards ceremony in February.

His entry in the visitor book reads: “Thanks so much for having me. Lots of hugz.”

As the year progressed, Wolverhampton welcomed indie rock in the form of Bombay Bicycle Club, rap from Professor Green, rock from returning visitors Garbage and the crooning voice of Wicked Game hitmaker Chris Isaak.

The multi-award winning Gary Barlow rounded off the year with a solo gig – his first solo tour in 13 years.

Tickets for the tour sold out instantly with demand greater than those for the Rolling Stone's comeback gig.

He was obviously delighted with his reception at the Civic, with “What a night! What a crowd!” being his visitor book comment.

The Kaiser Chiefs made a welcome return visit in February 2013, as did Robert Plant in November 2014.

Great to be here again. First time was opening for The Montanas in 1966

The legendary rock star noted that his relationship with the Civic stretched back for many years: “Great to be here again. First time was opening for The Montanas in 1966.”

While Wolverhampton-based The Montanas may have been lost to rock history, their one-time support act certainly hasn't.

By March 2015, singer-songwriter Sam Smith was entertaining the crowds, hot on the heels of the success of debut album In the lonely hour.

Sam was just one of many major acts that year. Others included Ash, Cast, The Wonder Stuff, The Charlatans, The Manic Street Preachers and Kaiser Chiefs.

In 2016 performers included our own Beverley Knight, The Damned, David Essex and James, whose frontman Tim Booth thrilled the crowd by clambering onto the balcony and holding hands with devoted fans.

Comedy acts appearing throughout the decade included Ed Byrne, Josh Widdecombe, Noel Fielding, Sarah Millican, Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle.