IF Mark King is any indication of why pop music of the 1980s is experiencing such a renaissance, then we are sure to still be singing along to synthesizer, keytar and saxophone inspired tracks for many years to come.

The frontman of Level 42 practically beams energy and optimism down the phone as he divulges that he has just hired a personal trainer and is getting himself in shape for a summer of gigs, including Dorset's own Camp Bestival.

Despite suffering from hayfever the morning we speak, he is wonderfully perky and breezy and my sleep-deprived coffee-processing brain struggles to keep up as we whip from one topic to the next.

Mark, who also performs his own solo material, can't wait to bring Level 42 to the Lulworth Castle festival, where they will be sure to be performing material old and new, including the classics Lessons In Love and Something About You.

The Isle of Wight native is very familiar with Camp Bestival's big brother Bestival, which was set up on the island in 2004 by Rob and Josie da Bank.

He tells me: "I went to Camp Bestival as a visitor last year just to see what it was all about.

"I had a great time, it's so good, it was fantastic walking around the place.

"It's an incredible setting being based around Lulworth Castle and I saw an amazing light show and firework displays.

"I really enjoyed Johnny Marr's set. I thought it was fantastic."

There is no element of pretension to self-confessed 'Isle of Wight boy' Mark, who is well aware of what the punters want.

"I'm a keen festival and gig goer and I love going along to see what people do.

"I went to see Fleetwood Mac at the O2. I'm 56-years-old and I never stop learning.

"The night before, I went to see Kylie who was supported by Grace Jones and Nile Rodgers in Hyde Park. All these acts played their hits.

"It was hit after hit after hit and for the audience, there was something for them if they were six-years-old or 60-years-old.

"It resonates with people, they know the words and they sing along.

"That's what I'm going to be doing with Level 42 at Lulworth Castle, singing hit after hit."

I ask Mark what his reaction is when he hears the seemingly inescapable Lessons In Love on the radio.

"I just turn it up, I'm singing along with it. These songs have been good friends to us over the years, we love performing them, we've got a seven piece band for Camp Bestival and it's going to be great."

Despite Level 42's years of scaling the showbiz heights in the 1980s, touring with Madonna, Stevie Winwood and The Police, Mark remains close to his roots.

He grew up in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and his dad was a dairyman.

"All my family were farmers. It's in the blood. Where I live on the Isle of Wight we have a few fields and I have a digger and a tractor and I love doing jobs.

"I think it's good to mix things up and have interests outside of music, that way you don't end up putting yourself in a pigeon hole."

And Mark shows no hesitation in flying the flag for the Isle of Wight - he serves as a tourism ambassador for the popular holiday destination.

"It has been a tradition for years and years for people to keep coming back to the island before people started jetting off on their holidays.

"It retains that old-fashioned charm. I think the frustration that we as islanders have with the mainland is part and parcel of living on an island.

"Although I have an apartment in London I love it here and will never leave.

"I'm always happy to tell people how lovely life on the island is."

There are many parallels with Dorset life, Mark says.

"I feel very relaxed in Dorset because it feels familiar.

"The Lulworth Cove area in particular is beautiful. When you come across to the south coast it is like that extension of the island, because it was all the same land.

"They are both beautiful parts of the world and I can understand why they hold such power over people."

And the Isle of Wight has a wealth of musical talent, Mark tells me, including his own 18-year-old daughter Marlee, who gigs locally and appears to be following in the footsteps of her father.

"There are a lot of good musicians on the island. There are lots of opportunities here and there will always be holidaymakers who need entertaining," he said.

Proving he is still learning at the age of 56, Mark has added DJing to his list of skills.

He said: "Last September I played Liverpool International Music Festival and did five or six songs together, it was fantastic fun.

"At first I thought 'How hard can it be?' But it's very difficult, you have to get a good playlist together."

It is regrettable to have to finish a phone conversation with Mark, because this eternal optimist is a refreshing change - grateful for every chance he has been given and every gig the band is booked for.

Mark said: "I'm playing the music that I made through the 1980s and to be able to be here 35 years on and still going out and playing songs because people want to hear them is wonderful.

"The years from '86 to '88 were just so hectic you couldn't really enjoy it.

"I was away from home for 18 months at one point.

"To still have that music now and have the Rewind festivals proves there's still a market for it. And I'm enjoying life now more than I did in the 80s, it's great to have a better balance now."

*Level 42 will be performing at Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, running from July 30 to August 2. See campbestival.net for more information.