The long-term photographic reportage of Sonidero City is an homage to the Cumbia DJs / Sonideros of Mexico City, who from the 60s to today have stood behind their sound systems’ mics, sending music as well as greetings across the capital’s streets. While some stack loudspeakers into massive towers, others stick to a modest set-up, spinning their own LP collections on 70s-era record players. They go by names such as Sonido Sensación Tropical, Sonido África, Sonido La Conga.

In contrast, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, giant flourescent- painted speakers called “Picó” spill afro-colombian Champeta music through local communities, where the accompanying dance of choice is called “polishing the belt buckle.”

Over the course of three years, Swiss photographer Mirjam Wirz visited the living rooms, courtyards and dance events of Mexico City, Monterrey and Barranquilla. The result is her book Sonidero City, a lively visual collection tracing the paths Mexico and Colombia’s sound system culture have forged.