- Noise Pop Festival 2026 Presents - - Sun Ra Arkestra — Sun Ra founded the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago in the mid-1950s. Sun Ra was among the earliest pioneers of the synthesizer and the free jazz revolution of 1960s. Sun Ra sent a strong spiritual and musical message to his Arkestra wanting them to help make the universe better through positive vibrations and music. The Sun Ra Arkestra are known worldwide for their live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age free jazz, be-bop, singing, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry. The Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afro-futurism since their inception.