Level 42 Tickets

Finding their feet on the Isle Of Wight as a jazz fusion funk outfit, the band formed in 1979 after Mark King met brothers Phil and “Boon” Gould. Moving to London and naming themselves after Douglas Adams’ answer to “life, the universe and everything”, Level 42 recruited Mike Lindup (and unofficial fifth member Wally Badarou) and signed with Elite Records in 1980.

Encouraged to add vocals to their jam sessions, Level 42 released their self-titled debut album in 1981, bringing thumb-slap bass and synth solos to the pop scene with singles ‘Love Meeting Love’ and ‘Love Games’, which gave them their first Top 40 hit. 

The Early Tapes and The Pursuit Of Accidents quickly followed as Level 42 started climbing the charts, but it wasn’t until they broadened their sound with fourth album Standing In The Light that they made it into the Top 10. 

1984’s True Colours and 1985’s World Machine saw the band’s profile explode – with huge hits ‘Something About You’ and ‘Leaving Me Now’ charting around the world, going on to become some of the most critically acclaimed pop records of the 80s. Running In The Family followed in 1987, featuring ‘Lessons In Love’ (the band’s biggest selling single to date), earning them collaborations with the likes of Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and a support slot on Madonna’s world tour. 

By the end of the 80s Level 42 were heading into the new decade with a different line-up – releasing 1990’s Guaranteed and 1994’s Forever Now with a completely changed band. Breaking up during their ’94 tour, Mark King focussed on his solo career before reforming Level 42 in 2002. After 12 years, the band released their eleventh album, Retrograde, in 2006 – embarking on a series of tours that ran for the next few years, helping Level 42 reconnect with fans all over the world. 

In 2022, the band announced they would be heading out on a 22-date 'Living It Up' UK tour the following year and that they would be joined by special guests, The Christians.