Four years ago Mark King & Co also played in this venue in my hometown and now they were here again doing their Sirens Tour. To date the band have released 14 studio albums, seven live albums and six compilation albums, had 18 top 40 singles and sold in excess of 30 million albums worldwide.

"Sirens" is the title of their latest album, an EP with six songs, which was released in 2013. King and Lindup, the only original members of the band were helped by a three piece brass band and Nathan King (guitars) and Pete Ray Biggin on drums. From the "Sirens" EP Level 42 played 5 songs, "Where’s Yo’ Head At", "Mind On You", "My Independence Day", "Build Myself A Rocket" and the title track. All songs had lots of improvisation passages and especially the saxophone and trumpet played dominant parts in these songs.

The gig kicked off with Love Games, one of their most well-known tracks and a huge hit way back in 1981. King’s and Lindup’s voices were both still in good shape and King’s slap-bass guitar technique is still a treat to watch and hear. Other hits like Something About You (1985), Leaving Me Now (1985), Tracie (1989), The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) (1983) and Lessons In Love (1986) followed. Build Myself A Rocket ended the regular set of this evening, but of course the band returned for three well deserved encores. The audience, mostly “fans” of 45 and older, were then treated to Heaven In My Hands (1988), with excellent solos, The Chinese Way (1983) and to finish the set one of their greatest hits Hot Water, which was sang along to very loudly. Again it was a treat and the band still rocks, pops, funks and jazzs like they have just started their musical career, so hats off for Level 42!

Interview & photos by: Martien Koolen

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