[DID NOT ATTEND: October 17, 2026] Plini / Night Verses / Portraits
I saw Plini open for Animals as Leaders a couple of years ago, It was a night of technical guitar brilliance and impressive guitar showoffery.
Plini is Plini Roessler-Holgate, an Australian guitarist who has been recognized by all of the famous guitar gods [for instance: Steve Vai described him as “the future of exceptional guitar playing.”] It was an amazing display of skill and speed. Instrumental guitar songs full of incredible fingerwork. The impressive thing was how smooth and easily he played his blistering solos–as if his fingers were longer than anybody else’s.
I completely didn’t register this show when it was announced and only realized that this was that guy a few days ago. There was no way I was going to the show as I had a lot of other things going on, but I’m a little bummed I missed it. Just a little.
I hadn’t heard of Night Verses (I don’t really follow the amazing-guitarists line of music anymore], but apparently they are one of those bands. And their story is kind of interesting too
In 2017, the post-rock outfit Night Verses collectively decided it was time for a radical change. After five years and two critically acclaimed full-length albums, singer Douglas Robinson was going to leave the fold and the remaining members would forge ahead as a three-piece instrumental unit.
Having listened to them before and after, they made the right choice–they are so much better as an instrumental outfit.
Portraits are “a progressive instrumental (for the most part) band featuring guitarists Joshua De La Victoria & Joseph Anidjar.” More technical mastery. Rather less interesting than some, but still impressive.
