One Direction
Wolverhampton Civic Hall
By Elizabeth Joyce

The screams almost shattered the walls. From the moment the lights went out and a countdown clock started ticking down to the 5-4-3-2-1, Wolverhampton Civic Hall was filled with ear-splitting teenage squeals from a crowd of more than 2,000.

Fans burst into tears as a video showing the five boys making their way to a summer beach appeared on a big screen – but the girls were just getting warmed up.

When Niall, Zayn, Harry, Louis and Wolverhampton’s Liam Payne bounded on stage just seconds later, the volume level exploded, seats were pushed into the legs of those in front and camera phones burst into life.

One Direction arrived at the Civic in two sleek silver Mercedes Viano vans at around 3.10pm yesterday for the 9pm show – fans had been queuing since 6.30am.

You could forgive the boys for looking more than a little overwhelmed. For a few brief moments all they could mouth was ‘wow’.

Na Na Na was the first song, set against a beach backdrop complete with VW Camper Van. The band were dressed in preppy little outfits, all nautical stripes and coloured jeans, and looked every inch the perfect pop stars.

From the off, it was 17-year-old Harry Styles who took the lead. With a confidence that defied his young years, the curly-haired heartthrob proved why he has caught the eye of 32-year-old TV presenter Caroline Flack with his cheeky grins and self-assured swagger. Every flick of his hair sent the girls into meltdown.

After a couple more of their own numbers, it was all round a campfire for a collection of acoustic covers. I’ve Got A Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and Valerie by The Zutons.