Blur announced as opening act to launch newly-revamped The Halls in Wolverhampton

Britpop legends Blur will be the first to take to the revamped venue’s stage on May 26 as part of a series of warm-up shows ahead of their highly-anticipated dates at Wembley Stadium in July.

Since announcing their arrival with debut album Leisure in 1991, Blur went on to revolutionise the sound of English popular music with five successive UK number one albums Parklife (1994), The Great Escape (1995), Blur (1997), 13 (1999) and Think Tank (2003).

Blur is the latest act to be announced for the venue, previously known as the Wolverhampton Civic Halls, which will open its doors again after a multi-million pound, long-awaited makeover.

Other artists who will be performing include Penn and Teller, The Vamps, McFly, Sparks, The Sugababes, Leftfield, Siouxie and Youtuber Tommyinnit.

The 85-year-old iconic Grade II listed venue, which has hosted artists including The Clash, David Bowie, Nirvana and Morrissey, closed in December 2015 for the renovation works which were delayed when serious issues came to light and is being run by AEG Presents as part of a 25-year lease

The completion date was further put back by the coronavirus pandemic, but the final touches are being put on the Halls ahead of the first show.

Improvements include upgraded seats, a greater number of bars as well as revamped toilets, and lift access to the new balcony level.

The announcement of Blur coming to the Halls has been praised by Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkin, who described it as a great coup for the city.

He said: "It's fantastic and just the sort of thing we want to back into the Halls and shows that if we hadn't put in the investment to redevelop the Civic Hall, we'd have missed out on this.

"It is a real coup for us and I hope that everyone comes to the gig, then goes home and tells their friends and they keep coming back again and again.

"It's iconic for the Halls that we have Blur coming here, as I know that Damon has a real affection for the venue."

Blur have also had a string of Top 10 singles, including two Number ones, with Country House and Beetlebum, helping to propel the band to mass popularity at home and abroad.

One of the biggest British bands of the last three decades, Blur have released eight studio albums and collected ten NME Awards, six Q Awards, five Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award, and played live to thousands of devoted fans across the globe.

Blur also have a long-standing crew member from Wolverhampton, Stuart Lowbridge, and played a gig at the Newhampton Arts Centre in Whitmore Reans in 2015 to raise cash for it, which he organised.

Damon Albarn said at the time: “It’s nice to be doing something useful to help this centre.

“Wolverhampton is very close to everyone in this band’s heart.”

Steve Homer, CEO AEG Presents UK, added: “With an opening line up that was already massive having blur play the first show is incredible. The band specifically wanted to play the venue as they share a long history together, what better way to open the venue with them. It’s going to be an amazing show and I can’t think of a better way for The Halls to return."

The show will be the third of four warm up shows, starting at Colchester, the home town of Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon and drummer Dave Rowntree, on May 19, Eastbourne on May 21 and then ending at Newcastle on May 28.

Anyone looking to get a ticket to the show on May 26 is being encouraged to sign up to the mailing list on the Blur website, with anyone who signs up being able to take advantage of the pre-sale, which starts at 10am on Wednesday, April 26.

A maximum of two tickets per person are available to purchase, with the general ticket sale starting at 10am on Friday, April 28.

To find out more and to get tickets, go to blur.co.uk.