I have always been very grateful for Level 42.

In 1985 I was nine-years-old and my big sister was a die hard fan.

She soon persuaded our dad that when embarking on the long drive to visit family members down in Kent, listening to Level 42 would be far more enjoyable than being force fed the sound of The Shadows, which had got a tad monotonous.

So armed with cassettes including Level 42, Pursuit of Accidents, Standing in the Light, True Colours and Physical Presence, the long journey towards Orpington was much more enjoyable (apart from the cigarette smoke wafting over the driver’s seat).

It was during these trips that I learnt almost every word to every song and when Running in the Family and Starring at the Sun were acquired, I actually longed for a trip south so we could have a listen together.

It was not long before we both had Walkmans and, much to my sister’s displeasure, I would routinely ask to borrow her Level 42 albums, leaving my easy listening collection - including the likes of T-Pau, Phil Collins, Wet, Wet, Wet and Nik Kershaw - on the shelf.

I was too young to attend the group’s Wembley gigs but big sis Allison always told me they were excellent live.

And so she left for University, but I found myself still listening to Mark King, Mike Lindup and the Gould brothers on a mixed tape I had recorded, ‘borrowing’ her albums and recording my favourite songs before she left.

Now, embarking on their 30th anniversary tour, I finally had the chance to watch Level 42 live.

Alright it wasn’t quite Wembley, but the Alban Arena was still rocking.

Mark King and Mike Lindup rolled back the years and were accompanied by new band members: drummer Peter Ray Biggin; saxophonist Sean Freeman and guitarist Nathan King.

Mark King - whose thumb was once reportedly insured for £3 million - likened the evening to a school disco and in terms of a trip down memory lane he was not far off. That being said, it was more of a journey through our younger years as the crowd lapped up the soundtrack to their high school, sixth form and university years.

Level 42 were as tight as ever as they kept the crowd in raptures playing hit after hit.

My personal highlight was Something About You, a scintillating single where King’s lead vocals and bass are complimented by Lindup’s backing and keyboard.

A hugely energetic rendition of the band’s instrumental 43 wowed the crowd, culminating in a highly charged finish where King, Lindup and Nathan King joined Biggin on the drums. Biggin also stole the show with an incredible drum solo at the end.

The band kicked off the show with 1984 single Hot Water. Dream Crazy and World Machine followed but it was their fourth number of the night, To Be With You Again, that really got the sell-out crowd buzzing.

The band’s biggest selling hit Running in the Family was next with King dominating the stage as a 30th anniversary banner – using the sleeve from the 1987 album as the backdrop – was unveiled to huge cheers.

King dedicated ballad It’s Over to the “ladies” in the audience before heading straight into funky hit Almost There.

Lindup was given a huge ovation following his vocals on The Sun Goes Down and then kept the audience entertained with his acting skills during Lesson in Love.

Level 42 emerged for an encore belting out Heaven in my Hands and The Chinese Way before leaving the stage one last time to what must be the loudest cheer the Alban Arena has ever heard.

King promised they would be back in 2012 – many in the crowd will be counting down the days.

Set list:

LEVEL 42 ST ALBANS

Hot Water

Dream Crazy

World Machine

To Be With You Again

Running In The Family

Kansas City Milkman

It’s Over

Almost There

Starchild

43

The Sun Goes Down

Something About

You Lessons In Love

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Heaven In My Hands

The Chinese Way / Sunbed Song