Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who achieved commercial success in the 1980s and are still active today. Formed in 1979, they are best known for hits like “Something About You”, “Lessons in Love” and “Running in the Family”. At their peak, Level 42 were one of the most popular British bands of the 80s. So are they still going strong in the 2020s? Let’s take a look at the current status of Level 42.
Brief History of Level 42
Level 42 were formed in 1979 in the UK by bassist and vocalist Mark King along with keyboardist Mike Lindup. After some early personnel changes, the band settled into a consistent lineup with the brothers Boon Gould (guitar) and Phil Gould (drums) joining King and Lindup.
After building up a reputation as a live act, Level 42 released their debut album in 1981 called ‘Level 42’. It was a minor success but set the template for their jazz-funk sound. 1982’s ‘The Pursuit of Accidents’ and ‘Standing in the Light’ in 1983 saw the band gain more popularity.
Their commercial breakthrough came in 1985 with the hit album ‘World Machine’ which produced two top 20 singles in the UK – “Something About You” and “Leaving Me Now”. Further hits followed in 1986 with “Lessons in Love” and “Running in the Family” cementing their fame.
Continued Success in the Late 80s
Even after the departure of the Gould brothers in 1987, Level 42 maintained their success with King and Lindup leading the band. 1988’s ‘Staring at the Sun’ was another big seller. In the late 80s, they began to incorporate more pop elements into their music. This led to their biggest UK hit in 1990 with “All Over You” reaching number 13.
Although their commercial peak ended with the rise of new music genres like grunge in the 90s, Level 42 have continued recording and releasing albums ever since. Their blend of pop, rock, jazz and funk has ensured they maintained a strong fanbase over the decades.
Level 42’s Touring History
As well as their recording career, a key part of Level 42’s success has been their reputation as an excellent live band. They have consistently toured since the 1980s and played some of the world’s biggest venues and festivals.
Some key Level 42 touring facts:
- They have performed over 2,000 shows across their career according to setlist.fm
- During the 1980s, Level 42 regularly played massive concerts like Live Aid in 1985
- In the 1990s, they began to play smaller more intimate gigs and moved away from arena shows
- From the 2000s onwards, Level 42 have continued to tour most years playing a mixture of outdoor festivals and indoor concerts
- Since 2010, they have played at festivals such as Rewind and Let’s Rock as well as venues like the Royal Albert Hall
So in summary, touring and live performances have always been a key element of Level 42’s work as a band. They have maintained a busy schedule of concerts despite not having major pop chart success since the late 1980s. Their reputation as an energetic and technically excellent live act has ensured consistent demand from fans old and new.
Current Status – Level 42 Continue Touring in 2023
Which brings us to the current status of Level 42. The good news for fans is that Level 42 continue to be active in live performance in 2023. The band, led as always by Mark King, have tour dates scheduled throughout the year.
Some key facts about Level 42’s current status:
- In March 2023, they played a 24-date UK tour visiting cities like Liverpool, Birmingham and London.
- Over the summer, they are due to play outdoor shows at festivals such as Gloucester Park and Dalkeith Country Park in Scotland
- In autumn 2023, another UK tour is planned with shows in places like Cardiff, Holmfirth and Bournemouth
- In late 2023, they will embark on a European tour with dates in Netherlands, Germany and Denmark
- They continue to get strong reviews for their live shows with Mark King’s bass skills and energy often highlighted
So in summary, Level 42 remain an active touring band in multiple countries more than 40 years after they first formed. Their 2023 tour schedule demonstrates that they still have a loyal fanbase who want to see them play live.
Setlists Showcase Their Hits and New Material
Level 42’s current setlists feature both old hits that fans know and love as well as some new songs from their more recent albums.
For example, their early 2023 UK tour featured these tracks:
- Lessons in Love
- Something About You
- Running in the Family
- Hot Water
- Heaven in My Hands
- Love Games
- Structure
- All Over You
- Children Say
- Dream Crazy
The combination of their funky 80s classics like “Lessons in Love”, more pop-oriented old hits like “All Over You” and newer songs like “Dream Crazy” showcases the different facets of their music. Fans can enjoy the familiarity of the vintage hits as well as appreciating their newer compositions.
Why Do Level 42 Continue to Tour After So Long?
So why do Level 42 still keep touring and playing live after founding the band way back in 1979? There are several likely factors:
- Lead singer Mark King’s enduring energy and desire to play live – he is still the driving force behind the band
- Their instrumental skills and tightness from having a stable band lineup for many years
- The timeless quality and popularity of their hit songs from the 1980s onwards
- A loyal multigenerational fanbase who want to keep seeing them play
- Financial incentives from touring revenue and festival appearances
- Playing live is part of who they are – it’s in their DNA as a band!
It’s clear that touring and live performance is the lifeblood of Level 42. Even when they are not releasing huge amounts of new music, their fans want to see Mark King’s legendary bass skills and the band’s slick musicianship on stage. They are a band built for live performance.
Future Touring Plans
Given their passion for playing live and continued audience demand, it seems likely that Level 42 will keep touring for the foreseeable future. Here are some possible future touring activities for the veteran band:
- More extensive tours of Europe, especially Germany and Netherlands where they retain a strong fanbase
- Potential for more shows in the United States where they enjoyed some success in the 1980s
- Possibly play bigger arenas again for special one-off shows or festival headline slots
- Mark the band’s 40th or 45th anniversaries with special celebratory shows
- Release a new live album or DVD from one of their recent tours
- Annual tours of the UK likely for next few years given reliable turnouts so far
Provided there is ongoing fan demand and their energy holds up, Level 42 seem highly likely to continue touring frequently. For a band so associated with dynamic live shows, quitting the road seems an unlikely prospect. Fans can probably anticipate many more chances to see Level 42 live.
Conclusion
In summary, Level 42 remain an active touring band over 40 years after starting out. Their energetic funk-pop shows still attract loyal fans keen to see Mark King’s legendary bass skills and hits like “Lessons in Love”. Having never stopped touring since the 1980s, their future plans seem certain to include many more live dates across UK, Europe and potentially beyond. So long as the demand remains, Level 42 seem destined to keep on running in the family of touring bands.
