Paul Cutlan's Pan Demons' Band

In 2024, multi-instrumentalist and composer Paul Cutlan assembled a group of special friends to perform two versions of his curated improvisation Pan Demons’ Band. Two years later, he has miraculously reunited the same group of 13 extraordinary musicians to celebrate the release of their eponymous live double album, recorded by Peter McCracken at Johnston Street Jazz and mixed by Oliver Miller.

The word ‘demon’ conjures images of an evil, devilish spirit, while ‘pandemonium’ is commonly associated with chaos and noisy disorder. However, Britannica online traces the ancient Greek origin of the word daimōn to a spirit or supernatural being. In the context of Pan Demons’ Band, we hear ‘every spirit’. This compelling 50-minute work features constantly shifting groups of one to five musicians communicating in sound, immersed in an evolving musical narrative and bringing their distinctive voices to the mix.

Featuring a stellar lineup of some of Australia’s most celebrated improvisers: Sandy Evans, Andrew Robson, Sam Gill, Phillip Johnston, Phillippa Murphy-Haste, James Greening, Gary Daley, Ollie Miller, Chloe Kim, Nic Cecire, Lloyd Swanton and Steve Elphick.