If you close your eyes while listening to Systema Solar’s incredibly funky beats, you’ll find yourself whisked away through the labyrinth of Medellín’s ‘calles cumbia’ and to the heights of musical bliss. In the spirit of “Fiesta,” and aligned with the forces of life, this ‘solar system’ certainly lives up to its name!

Hailing from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, this high-energy group of musicians is known for its visually compelling appeal. Their music videos are a case in point; just watch the official quadrilogy video for FUTURX PRIMITIVX 20|25, a 16-minute journey through rural and urban landscapes, for a stunning musical adventure!

Whether in a Hawaiian shirt, a netted tank top or traditional garb fluttering in the winds of freedom and the open sea, each musician has his own style. Their sound system effect provides an immediate sense of pure delight, such as in their upbeat hit, “Yo Voy Ganao,” a song celebrating the joys of being out fishing in the Sierra Nevada region.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with these chicos, whose aim is to charm with a sound that is full of warmth and colour. With a touch of humour, they also poke fun at the shadowy forces of the police, posing as the toughest gangsters on the irresistible “¿Quién es el patrón?”—centrepiece of their 2009 self-titled debut album. Life is sweet under this systema solar, with its infectious Fandango, Champeta and Bullerengue beats, and an electronic vibe that flirts with hip hop and house!

This Afro-Caribbean wave is set to sweep through Montreal, propelled by Systema Solar’s urban “berbenautika” sound, which combines the vibrant outdoor sound system culture—or pikó—with the spirit of a Baile de Verbena, a popular Columbian open-air street party. Improvisation takes centre stage, and that is what makes these rumberos such captivating performers.