Latest from the Blog

West Bengali Soundcheck Culture: Interview with Rahul Rana

Introduction by Y7 In March 2023, music blogger @billdifferen re-posted a series of videos to (then) Twitter of sound system clashes in West Bengal. The videos in the thread showed two or more mobile sound systems competing with each other by blasting sparse, austere tracks of sweeping bass tones and alarm sounds at deafening volumes. […]

  • Posted on 11 December 2025
  • by Guest Author
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Sound System Cultures Worldwide in Dijon, France

We are excited to announce a unique and immersive evening of film screenings, celebrating the diverse world of sound system cultures from around the globe. Join us on December 5th, 2025, at Cinéma Eldorado in Dijon for a one-of-a-kind event showcasing five exclusive SST documentaries: Playing with Purpose: The Story of Urabá Sound System (Colombia, 33”) Rockers […]

  • Posted on 2 December 2025
  • by SST Team
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SSO#11: Sound System Cultures Worldwide Schedule 

Sound System Outernational (SSO) in association with Sonic Street Technologies (SST) ERC research project and Soul Rockers sound system (Italy) are excited to announce the schedule for SSO#11 Sound System Cultures Worldwide on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th November 2025.   This two-day event of film screenings, discussion and sound system sessions aims to assess […]

  • Posted on 30 October 2025
  • by SST Team
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Events

Sound System Cultures Worldwide in Dijon, France

We are excited to announce a unique and immersive evening of film screenings, celebrating the diverse world of sound system cultures from around the globe. Join us on December 5th, 2025, at Cinéma Eldorado in Dijon for a one-of-a-kind event showcasing five exclusive SST documentaries: Playing with Purpose: The Story of Urabá Sound System (Colombia, 33”) Rockers […]

  • Posted on 2 December 2025
  • by SST Team
  • Read More

SSO#11: Sound System Cultures Worldwide Schedule 

Sound System Outernational (SSO) in association with Sonic Street Technologies (SST) ERC research project and Soul Rockers sound system (Italy) are excited to announce the schedule for SSO#11 Sound System Cultures Worldwide on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th November 2025.   This two-day event of film screenings, discussion and sound system sessions aims to assess […]

  • Posted on 30 October 2025
  • by SST Team
  • Read More

Sonic map

Launched in September 2022, the Sonic Map aims to provide an extensive coverage of different type of sound systems operating across the globe. It focuses on the three main elements which make an SST: the sound technologies employed, the crew which operates them, and the environment in which they operate. It aims to give exposure to the diverse but equally vibrant street sonic cultures, allow comparison between different SST, foster mutual recognition and cross-fertilisation between practitioners and aficionados from different backgrounds, and provide fellow researchers and academic institutions with a glimpse of what is currently happening out on the streets.

The Sonic Map is an open-project which relies on the crucial collaboration of the SST communities involved. If you know, own or operate an SST which is not currently listed on the map, or if you notice some amendments needed in an existing entry, please contribute!

Sonic Street Technologies (SST) is a European Research Council (ERC) funded research project (2021 – 2025)

The project aims to map the distribution and history of these SST worldwide; to investigate the social, economic and cultural conditions from which they are born; and to achieve a deeper understanding of the nature of technology itself and its uses for social and economic progress.