Naarm’s Abbots Yard will come alive with electrifying cross-continental rhythms as TO BINA: A Night of Soukous Vibrations Powered by El Gran Mono transforms the space into a pulsating celebration of African and Afro-Colombian musical exchange.
On Saturday July 25 from 3-9pm, this event will bring together a high-energy live soukous band and a line-up of the city’s finest DJs, all powered by El Gran Mono, the first authentic Colombian picó sound system built outside of Colombia.
With its towering, hand-painted fluorescent speaker stack, El Gran Mono is not just a sound system but a cultural icon, central to the vibrant street party traditions of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Featuring The Seben Brothers (Live Soukous) (pictured), Chris NG, Zafiro, Navy Blue Radio and Glow.
Originating in the Congo Basin, soukous is a joyous, guitar-driven dance music known for its intricate melodies and infectious rhythms. In the 1970s and '80s, these sounds travelled across the Atlantic, landing in port cities such as Cartagena and Barranquilla, where they became the foundation of Colombia’s picó culture and gave rise to the globally celebrated Champeta movement.
Presented by Flight 106.7 To Africa on PBS' Stani Goma and co-curated with El Gran Mono, TO BINA, which means “let’s dance!”, spotlights our rich pool of local talent while strengthening the City of Yarra’s grassroots live music scene. By placing the picó at the heart of the experience, the event pays tribute to the enduring cultural dialogue between Africa and the Afro-diaspora.
TO BINA is an inclusive, open-air celebration designed to welcome everyone, from dedicated fans of African music to curious newcomers.
Proudly presented by Stani Goma, PBS 106.7 FM & Leaps And Bounds.
