Level 42

Level 42 makes technical playing feel light on its feet. Formed in 1979, the British band built its identity around Mark King’s thumb-slap bass and rhythm sections that could carry jazz-funk elements into sharper pop songs without losing any of the movement underneath.^1,2

Over time, that approach carried the group from specialist grooves into mainstream success, with Something About You, Lessons in Love, and Running in the Family helping define its best-known years.^1,2 Their self-titled debut helped establish the band early in Britain's jazz-funk scene.³

Grab your Level 42 tickets on AXS and hear a band whose grooves still land with real snap.

Level 42 came together in 1979, when Mark King, Phil Gould, Boon Gould, and Mike Lindup formed the band with roots stretching from the Isle of Wight to London.^1,2 In its early form, the group leaned toward an instrumental jazz-funk sound, while King was still moving from drums to the bass style that would become central to the band's identity.^1,2

Before releasing their first single, Love Meeting Love, the band added vocals to give the music a more commercial direction, with King stepping forward as lead singer. That single introduced Level 42 in 1980, and Love Games soon followed with the band's first British Top 40 entry.¹

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1981, reached the Top 20 on the UK charts, and gave Level 42 an early chart presence they quickly built on.¹

Level 42’s key records show how naturally the band could shift between groove-heavy and direct pop writing.

• World Machine (1985): World Machine peaked at number 3 on the UK Official Albums Chart and spent 72 weeks in the UK Top 100 albums chart, marking the point where Level 42 moved into a much broader field.^1,5
• Lessons in Love (1986): This single reached number 3 on the UK Official Singles Chart and spent 17 weeks in the UK Top 100 singles chart, becoming the band's biggest UK hit.⁵
• Running in the Family (1987): The album reached number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart and became Level 42’s best-selling release, while the title track itself reached number 6 on the UK Top 100 Chart.^4,5

At Level 42 shows, brass, bass, keys, and long-form groove give the set shape, while the better-known songs can quickly turn a seated venue into a standing one.^6,7

Get your Level 42 tickets on AXS and catch a live show full of groove, precision, and songs that still bring the room to its feet.