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Sometimes the universe goes out of its way to help you and make sure that you are in the right spot at the right time. Serendipity in action is a rare thing. I was taking some test photographs for Ne Obliviscaris (NeO) and found out Plini was on the bill. His reputation as a purveyor of progressive rock got my interest and I sat down to watch the setup. Unusually shaped guitars, no headstock on Plini’s guitar and a band that values its safety by wearing their security passes while on stage, tell me that we are in for some progressive rock joy. The audience are unsure. They are there for dark symphonic, progressive metal and look nothing like the standard progressive rock crowd which are normally like escapees from the local chess club. So it’s Plini, with delicate, sensitive and measured playing, to pre-empt the coming of NeO and somehow placate the crowd.
Right from the off there is a vibe coming from the stage and it’s one of care and precision. Plini’s playing is sublime and has the tone of Eric Johnson, a guitarist that I find so far inside his own talent as to be frustrating. But this is the opposite, the songs played without any vocals, are measured and Plini does enough and it’s just right. The band is super-tight and they clearly enjoy playing together.
By the second track, I’m in the photographers pit and can hear the audience get into it. Sure Plini and the band are on the stage playing supposedly separated from the audience but the music fills the room and seems to chase down those who haven’t joined the main crowd. The band plays off each other and glide between a funk feel and a harder rock effortlessly. It looks easy and it’s a joy to watch. In a black hall, filled with dark metal inspired clothing we have colour flowing off the sparse stage. Plini and his posse are largely inanimate, which is no shame in progressive rock, but it’s only the music which is turning the crowd. People start to drift in from the bar about half way through the set and they are clearly enjoying what they are seeing. At the end of one song Plini takes the opportunity to thank the crowd and thank NeO for taking him and the band across Australia. He sounds genuine, humble and thankful. The crowd pick up on this and there is a polite ripple of applause. Some wag shouts a retort and Plini is on it with a quick return. The crowd explode in laughter and the applause is warm. The band bounce into the penultimate track and the audience are into it. I can see from my vantage point sitting on the stage monitor that the bar is empty and everyone is watching Plini. Not bad for a metal crowd to be dragged away from the bar to hear the support band, who are poles apart in appearance and stage-craft from NeO.
The last track has come too quickly. The audience is pulled between the genuine affection that they have for the band and wanting to see NeO. As I get up to leave the pit and find my camera, which I had long since abandoned to watch the band, I hear one NeO fan say, ‘well that’s one album we must have”. Fair call mate and you are not the only one who feels that way after watching that performance.
I am a fan of progressive rock and I am biased. But I have also seen enough gigs to know talent when I see it. It’s also a very rare occasion that I have felt such warmth and intimacy come from the stage, it was as if the room shrunk and we were listening to a hi-definition recording. Sure, I’ve seen passion, intensity, aggression, lunacy and performances that paper over inadequacy at times but it’s a very rare beast to actually watch a support band pull an audience together, tease them from the bar and play music that captivates them. Serendipity my arse, I was just plain lucky to see this and so were we all. Good work Plini, you could have played all night mate and it wouldn’t have been enough. Whoever matched Plini to NeO on the bill – genius!
Plini is a magician and he conjures music of colour and depth. No gimmicks or theatrics this is just a display of immense talent. Catch him while you can still get to the front few rows as I think he will be headlining soon. I will finish this review with my apologies for Plini. I only took 5 photographs as I was too busy watching the gig…..
The setlist at Fowlers Live, Adelaide 11 December 2015 was;
Atlas Orm Away Selenium Forest Moonflower Paper moon
Reviewer Craig Grant
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