On August 29, 2026, experience an electrifying night of psychedelic tropical grooves, explosive rhythms, and global sounds designed to move both body and spirit.
Sunfest is thrilled to present Empanadas Ilegales, a psychedelic tropical music collective formed in 2017 through late-night jam sessions and rogue rooftop gigs in Vancouver. Made up of musicians with roots in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Canada, the band creates a vibrant collision of sounds where cumbia meets surf rock, salsa intertwines with Persian melodies, and folklore crashes beautifully into free jazz.
Known for their explosive live performances and rhythm-forward musical storytelling, Empanadas Ilegales continues to bridge cultures, sounds, and generations through dance-driven energy and fearless experimentation. Their latest album, Sancocho Trifásico, pushes their signature hybridity even further — layered, soulful, and unapologetically genre-defying.
From their live-recorded debut Papayón at Vancouver’s Fortune Sound Club to Creepy Mambo and its rooftop follow-up filmed above the city skyline, the group has built a reputation for unforgettable performances and boundary-pushing creativity. They have appeared at major festivals including Montreal International Jazz Festival, Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival, and JUNOFest.
Join them for a night of amazing music and dancing - get your tickets now!
Doors open: 7 PM, show: 8 PM.
