Ed Sheeran
Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Concert review by Matthew Viney

It is probably not easy transferring a largely acoustic album into a live spectacle that manages to captivate a sizeable young crowd for nearly two hours.

But Ed Sheeran succeeded in doing so as he began a two-night run of sold-out shows at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last night.

The Suffolk-raised singer- songwriter was one of the breakthrough acts of 2011, and he has clearly gathered a loyal following since the launch of his album ‘+’.

The largely teenage and twenty-something crowd sang along as the 20-year old strummed through a medley of hits from ‘+’ as well as a selection of his earlier releases.

Alongside the acoustic anthems and urban-inspired beats, he also pulled out the odd cover, including an impressive rendition of Nina Simone’s Be My Husband.

Without a band behind him there was the risk that Sheeran and his guitar could perhaps seem a little dwarfed by the Civic stage, but this wasn’t the case.

His vocals were on fine form and the charismatic performer made a big effort to involve the crowd, with highlights including an extended version of his breakthrough hit A Team.

He will not be the most edgy act to grace the Civic this year but he certainly sent the crowd home happy.

It is probably not easy transferring a largely acoustic album into a live spectacle that manages to captivate a sizeable young crowd for nearly two hours.

But Ed Sheeran succeeded in doing so as he began a two-night run of sold-out shows at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last night.

The Suffolk-raised singer- songwriter was one of the breakthrough acts of 2011, and he has clearly gathered a loyal following since the launch of his album +. The largely teenage and twenty-something crowd sang along as the 20-year old strummed through a medley of hits from + as well as a selection of his earlier releases.

Alongside the acoustic anthems and urban-inspired beats, he also pulled out the odd cover, including an impressive rendition of Nina Simone’s Be My Husband.

Without a band behind him there was the risk that Sheeran and his guitar could perhaps seem a little dwarfed by the Civic stage, but this wasn’t the case.

His vocals were on fine form and the charismatic performer made a big effort to involve the crowd, with highlights including an extended version of his breakthrough hit A Team.

He will not be the most edgy act to grace the Civic this year but he certainly sent the crowd home happy.