Loosely translated from Spanish and Hindu as "Earth Spirit" : Pacha Atma Sound System is literally a melting pot of world musicians, with members from New Zealand, Chile and the UK. They integrate the sounds of hand drums, percussion and didgeridoos with guitars, bass and electronics producing a sound which is a heady mix of the organic and the electronic, fused into a churning urn of burning funk, ska, Pachanga, house, dub, acid jazz, retro R’n’B and roots.

The band has had a rapid rise from sweaty beginnings playing regular nights during the winter of 2010, to being voted winners of The Woodstock Battle of the Bands 2011. They recently won an enthusiastic wider audience after playing to 5000 rugby fans at the World Cup Final at the Trafalgar Street Fanzone. The gig saw them whip the sweat-drenched crowd into the band’s trademark mass, Zumba-style frenzy.

They have a simple philosophy. “It is our duty and our passion to make the world dance. We all love Nelson. We want the world to think of Pacha Atma’s music and think of Nelson…sunny and vibrant…then dance until they overflow with joy!”

The soundtrack to the imminent collapse of capitalism may be Pacha Atma’s dance-drenched, transnational mash. They have their own revolution going on. Their manifesto: “Get the world moving as one!” Their battle cry: “Music up!”