Level 42 are set to play a series of headline shows across the UK, including Carlisle, in the summer of 2008.

Formed in 1980 by Mark King (bass and vocals) Level 42 were signed up by Elite Records, an independent jazz funk label in north London. It didn't take long for them to fulfil early promise with their debut single, 'Love Meeting Love' (featuring Wally Badarou, who was to become a regular addition in the studio, on synths), quickly becoming a classic on the jazz funk club scene. A reputation as a great live band was begun and the band took the 80s by storm with their brand of bass-driven jazz funk.

Level 42 became one of the most influential of British acts and their slick pop-funk sound marked them out for more than cult success. It was not long before their growing reputation brought them to the attention of Polydor Records who, in 1981, released the 'Level 42' album which in turn spawned the hit 'Love Games', then the underground classic 'Starchild'. This was supported by the band's first foray into Europe as opening act for The Police.

Throughout the 80s the band released a succession of albums: 'The Pursuit of Accidents', 'Standing in the Light' , 'True Colours', 'Hot Water', and 'The Chant Has Begun'. 1985 saw the band's first world tour on the back of the 'World Machine' album, and the singles 'Something About You' and 'Leaving Me Now' became massive hits on both sides of the Atlantic. This was followed by the 'Running in the Family' album, which in turn delivered 'Lessons in Love', 'Running in the Family' 'To Be With You Again', 'It's Over' and 'Children Say'.

Though the band stopped touring and recording in 1994, founding member and front man Mark King continued under his own name and, with his distinctive slap bass and song-writing style, kept the loyal fan base happy. In 2001 he acquired the rights to the name 'Level 42' and took the band back out on the road again where their unique sound and virtuosity as instrumentalists remains an inspiration to young players the world over.

To date the band and Mark have released 14 studio albums, 7 live albums and 6 compilation albums, had 18 top 40 singles (including 'Lessons in Love', 'Something About You', 'Leaving Me Now', 'Running in the Family', and 'Hot Water'), sold-out Wembley for a total of 21 nights and sold in excess of 30 million albums world-wide. They have proved to be one of the biggest British bands of the 1980's, and the recent emergence of DVD has seen a host of re-masters and releases.

Level 42 are: Mark King bass/vocals, Gary Husband drums, Mike Lindup keys/vocals, Nathan King guitar/vocals, Sean Freeman sax/vocals