Concert Review: Plini + Sungazer at Electric Bristol
It has been a while since I last saw Plini (Plini Roessler-Holgate); that was at the more intimate Fleece venue here in Bristol. This time, Plini is touring in support of his highly anticipated latest album, An Unnameable Desire (released April 24, 2026)—a release I have been eagerly awaiting. Ably supported by the terrific fusion-oriented ensemble Sungazer, the show took place at Electric Bristol. As a premier venue with a capacity of over 1,100, the room was packed tonight with fans eager to see what both acts would deliver. They proved to be perfectly suited to complement one another on the bill.
The Main Event: Plini
An Unnameable Desire, Plini's third full-length, 10-track record, features a blend of his signature melodic progressive instrumentals alongside a broad array of guests. The live set effectively highlighted material from the new album, balanced perfectly with expected fan-favourite highlights from his earlier releases.
- Plini was ably assisted by an incredible live band:
- Jake Howsam Lowe: Rhythm and co-lead guitar (also of The Helix Nebula)
- Simon Grove: Bass (also of The Helix Nebula and a highly sought-after studio producer)
- Chris Allison: Drums (Though it must be said, Allison was occasionally difficult to spot behind the kit due to the atmospheric, heavily smoke-machine-driven stage production!)
Plini continues to possess the magic touch for creating memorable instrumentals, achieving a level of musicality akin to legendary players like Joe Satriani. His playing is never over-indulgent; there is restraint, yet plenty of technique, legato, tapping, and vocal-like phrasing. This sophistication makes him a cut above the standard shred crowd. Plini commanded the soloing effortlessly from centre stage, delivering luxurious notes from his satin-black Strandberg guitar.
In the corner, Jake Howsam Lowe appeared unassuming on his Aristides guitar before unleashing a torrent of melodic, blisteringly fast notes. The heavily bearded Lowe demonstrated mighty, impressive chops, and he rightly got his moments to shine throughout the set.
The band possessed a muscular live feel, driven by Allison's drumming and Grove's super-tight bass assault. This rhythmic engine room offered plenty of kick-drum punch and six-string bass fidelity. Combined with Lowe's stunning guitar solos and arpeggiated chordal work, the entire ensemble was phenomenal. Plini must be thrilled with his live band, and the crowd certainly was, headbanging and cheering loudly during the elevated performances.
The audience was enthralled and jubilant, thoroughly captivated by the exquisite performance. At one point, Plini even led the crowd in a playful, farmyard-style call-and-response session featuring loud cow moos, rooster crows, and eccentric extra-terrestrial noises from the hyped-up crowd. This light-hearted interaction seamlessly transitioned into a friendly mosh pit as the show went on.
The staging was brilliant tonight. While there may have been a bit too much fog for the photographers, the lighting and the Plini-designed stage setup were next-
level, showcasing his continuous evolution as an artist. Before long, the set neared its end, closing appropriately with the crowd-favourite "Electric Sunrise"—a fitting choice for Electric Bristol. The show wrapped up with the audience wanting more, evident as the queue for the merchandise table quickly built up.
level, showcasing his continuous evolution as an artist. Before long, the set neared its end, closing appropriately with the crowd-favourite "Electric Sunrise"—a fitting choice for Electric Bristol. The show wrapped up with the audience wanting more, evident as the queue for the merchandise table quickly built up.
The Opening Act: Sungazer
Up first was a musician's dream: Sungazer. The band features renowned YouTuber and accomplished musician Adam Neely, alongside Berklee-trained guitar virtuoso Joshua De La Victoria (whom I have followed since his early days with Joseph Anidjar). The line-up also featured saxophonist Jared Yee and the excellent Shawn Crowder on drums.
Having missed their first release and their previous shows at Trinity Hall and ArcTanGent, I was determined to make up for my tardiness. These are top-tier musicians who truly know how to command a stage. Suited and booted in matching blue-and-white tie-dye uniforms, they arranged themselves in a line across the front of the stage—akin to Meshuggah—and largely held these imposing positions for the duration of the set.
These guys know exactly how to play. The saxophone effectively carried the melodic vocal lines, while the bass and drums propelled the band forward. De La Victoria unleashed incredibly fluid lines on what appeared to be a fanned-fret Iconic seven-string guitar. Later in the set, he switched to a cream-coloured Abasi eight-string. Make no mistake: he is not playing djent; he is delivering top-of-the-line fusion. I was so entranced by the performance that I found myself frantically switching to video to capture it.
Jared Yee brings a sense of King Crimson to my mind in their prog fusion pomp, definitely an amazing player and you know the roots of these guys when they play a tune from Return to Forever to close the show.
Neely, standing over six feet tall, cast a striking, muscular figure on stage. For any remaining doubters, he delivered the musical goods with aplomb, providing undeniable propulsion to this jazz-fusion ensemble. This is exactly where he belongs: in front of a live audience.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the gig, I marched out, grabbed my merchandise (two t-shirts and two vinyl's), and called it a day, happy in the knowledge that three more Plini vinyl's are already on their way in the mail. I told myself that this was certainly a night for the memory banks.
Merch Haul
Tour Dates
If you have the chance to catch this tour, I highly recommend securing a ticket. If you love music and top-tier musicianship, you will not be disappointed.
All photos copyright Laurie Monk
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