LEVEL 42 have never been the Rubik's Cube, deely bobbers band, yet they were resident in the charts every year in the 1980s.

They were different. Based on music, not hairspray, Level 42’s live reputation was superb.

Monday's Barbican crowd of largely 40 to 50 year olds warmly welcomed the support band for the evening, The Blow Monkeys, where It Doesn't Have To Be That Way and Digging Your Scene were obvious standouts.

Then an arc of suns and a landscape of risers created a large horseshoe around the stage to make for an inviting immersive evening.

As the intro music started and the lights dimmed, Mark King led out Level 42 sporting a bass guitar with his "trademark" LED markers shining through the smoke.

Could this line-up live up to its predecessors? Running In The Family set the scene, as this wasn't going to be a "sit down and listen nicely" gig. They intended to blow the roof off from the downbeat.

The sound was stunning, allowing King’s depth to blend with Mike Lindup’s crystal-clear falsetto.

Unlike so many "'returning" bands, Level 42 weren’t here to pay the bills, instead bringing a freshness to shining new exciting shards of light through old windows.

Drummer Pete Ray Biggin was an unrelenting force of nature and the horn section showed they weren't just there for stabs, becoming an integral element of the harmony. Sean Freeman’s sax solos would stand up to any muso scrutineers.

Leaving Me Now showed the band were capable of subtlety but the high energy never faltered, through intense instrumentals, hit after hit.

The band loved it and the crowd followed suit. Finishing the set with Something About You and Heaven In My Hands, Level 42 left to deafening applause.

With encores of Lessons In Love and the epic Hot Water the devotees’ bingo cards were filled having enjoyed musicianship on another level.