Level 42 at Indigo2: live review

This is the original gig review submission for the December issue of Record Collector, in which it was pared down
to squeeze into its live reviews section so I thought I’d post it here unedited.

L42 are one of my favourite bands from the golden 80s era when singles success actually meant something, and as mentioned in the review they still play their funkpop classics with the same enthusiasm and technical flair as when
they started out.

Last saw them at Royal Albert Hall in 08 but Indigo2 a great little venue too so full justice given and no negatives to report.

sneaky phone pic from balcony

About 15 minutes into the set, after a new cut from the group’s imminent long-player – their first since 2006’s Retroglide – frontman Mark King jestingly remarked that most of the audience were staring back at him like goldfish. 

What he may have mistook for the customary noiseless reaction to unheard material though was mostly just hushed awe at the enduring musicianship and vitality on display from the now 54-year-old bass meister, partnered by equally passionate founder member Mike Lindup who intermittently bounded centre-stage from his keyboards to bounce and whoop to another thumb-slapped groove. They just never seem to tire of it. 

After candidly getting the newies out of the way, the jazz-funk veterans stormed through what King once called "knackered old hits", including Something About You and the obligatory Lessons in Love and Running in the Family. 
But neither their performance of them nor the crowd’s response could ever be described as knackered. A tight rendition of Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love added further lustre.    

Thirty-two years and a few lineup changes on from the band’s debut album, there’s nothing stopping them from reaching the magic 42 on this evidence. Their 80s commercial form may long have passed but, as the dictum goes, 
class is permanent.
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​link: Albert Lee gig review for Record Collector