NEXT GIG

TO BINA

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.

Proudly presented by Stani Goma, PBS 106.7 FM & Leaps And Bounds

TICKETS

The BAND

Formed in 2016 in Melbourne/Naarm, The Seben Brothers bring the vibrant spirit of Central Africa’s golden musical era to Australia. With roots in the Congo, Mozambique, and Kenya, the group blends the infectious rhythms of 1960s and ’70s Congolese rumba and soukous with the fresh, contemporary sounds of their adopted home.

At the heart of The Seben Brothers’ sound lies Congolese rumba, a genre that pulses with life. Emerging in the mid-20th century, rumba combined traditional Congolese rhythms with Cuban influences to create a style defined by soaring, intricate guitar melodies, rich vocal harmonies, and irresistible dance grooves. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2021), Congolese rumba remains a powerful living tradition that continues to inspire connection and community around the world.

The Seben Brothers honour this heritage while drawing on the multicultural energy of Melbourne’s music scene, one of the most diverse in the world. Their performances are joyful and full of warmth — music that invites people to share in a sense of celebration.

Many band members are veterans of Melbourne’s African music community, having performed with ensembles such as Musiki Manjaro, Thula Sana, One Spirit Africa, Matata Sound, Kotoko Mma, Aba Bakou, and Warako Musika. This experience has shaped a sound that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly spontaneous — the result of shared musical understanding and a genuine love for the art form.

Singing in Lingala, Swahili, and French, the band captures the linguistic and cultural richness of Central Africa. The word soukous — meaning to shake — reflects the joyful, rhythmic essence of their music, while the sebene, from which the band takes its name, marks the point where the music lifts — where rhythm and melody meet and the dance truly begins.

From festival stages to intimate venues, The Seben Brothers deliver performances that radiate joy, unity, and the timeless energy of Africa’s living musical heartbeat.

UNESCO -La Rumba Congolaise

"The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo bid jointly for UNESCO to recognize the music and dance, which helped energize people in those countries to shake off colonial rule by Belgium and France, respectively, in Congo, in 1960. UNESCO’s director general, Audrey Azoulay, summarized rumba’s significance. “In the 20th century, the Congolese rumba was a symbol for the fight for emancipation, dignity and political independence on the African continent. Therefore, the inscription of this music is not just the recognition of a cultural practice but a historic decision. It underlines the political nature of this music, which inspires so many artists all around the world today.”