Live Review: Plini, Mestis, David Maxim Micic

Serbian guitar prodigy David Maxim Micic is yet another one of those guys who are utterly unassuming in attitude and personality while being thoroughly prodigious in talent and skill, both instrumentally and compositionally. On his first ever trip to Australia, the diminutive, be-hooded figure saunters onto the stage in almost disarmingly low-key fashion and takes the Corner crowd on a wondrous and melodic journey of instrumental rock, jazz, fusion, metal, funk and sweet, sweet licks and grooves with his fabulous band (truth be told, it was virtually the same rhythm section for the entire night - what a pair of absolute troopers on bass and drums). Sometimes it’s intricate in its design, sometimes it’s big, open and triumphant. Sometimes it’s laid-back and jazzy, others it’s so atmospheric it makes your hair stand on end. But it’s always compelling.

This guy is a genius, even if he doesn’t appear to know it.

A little stockier in proportions and ever so slightly more brash in nature (which means he’s still actually pretty unpretentious) is Javier Reyes, operating under the name Mestis. It is not possible to be a member of Animals As Leaders and be a slouch on your instrument, and this guy is also a true master of his musical domain; the seven and eight-string guitar. His set is less of a journey, his compositions marginally less complex, although no less sophisticated. His songs are a little more open, with more space between the notes and beats, although every so often the tunes become all uber-busy and AAL-esque. Reyes occupies a highly enjoyable space in the bountiful instrumental guitar landscape that we the fans enjoy right now.

Sitting somewhere between his two supports this night on the musical and compositional spectrum, Plini proves exactly why his notoriety is growing so exponentially. Yes, he can play like an absolute champion. Yes, he can write ultra-catchy, subtly complex pieces. But the true beauty of the Plini live experience is that it is just about the most fun you can have watching progressive instrumental guitar music live. From the soaring nature of his music to his ever-growing confidence as a live performer (after having been a little tentative earlier in his career) to the dry, self-deprecating wit of his between-song banter, Plini's show never fails to put a big cheesy smile on your dial. This is reflected in the crowds he draws these days. If the Corner isn’t sold out it is damn close to it, and everywhere you look there are huge grins on happy punters’ faces.

If you open your eyes, ears and mind to its modern sounds and exponents, and drag your tastes out of the past, this is just about the best time to be alive in history if you love progressive music. And these three artists are at the forefront of it all.