K-pop conquered Coachella. Now it’s Bini’s turn to show off the Philippines

by

The members of the Filipino girl group Bini found out they were performing at Coachella just like their fans did—through the excitement on social media when the festival’s lineup was announced.

Bini member Stacey explained they were performing at Coachella after a fan told them on X (formerly Twitter) while they were in the Philippines. She was initially shocked and thought it was a joke, but confirmed it with the rest of the group. The performance was a surprise announcement from their management, and Stacey believes it’s a historic moment for the group.

Bini is set to make history this Friday at 4:15 p.m. when they perform at Coachella, becoming the first band from their nation to appear at the renowned festival. Already hugely popular in Asia, Bini represents Coachella’s continued effort to showcase exciting new music from around the world. With K-pop now well-established at the festival, Bini has the potential to become a leading musical ambassador for their culturally rich country.

Music

Coachella is coming to the Empire Polo Club in Indio this April! Here’s a guide to help you prepare, including what to pack and details on fun events happening around the festival that are open to everyone.

This isn’t the first time a Filipino performer has gained international recognition,” said Aiah, a member of the band. “However, we definitely feel a lot of pressure and responsibility, particularly when representing the Philippines at a festival like Coachella.”

“We recognize this is a big opportunity,” Colet explained. “We’re hoping to showcase more art from the Philippines.”

Five days before the show, Bini arrived at a darkened soundstage close to the Burbank airport to begin rehearsals. The band members – Gwen, Jhoanna, Maloi, Colet, Aiah, Mikha, Stacey, and Sheena – were still wearing casual clothes, like Sonic Youth T-shirts and oversized jackets, and were still a little tired from their travels. Despite this, the group and their dancers were already stretching and practicing the complicated opening moves to their performance before even having breakfast.

Maloi explained that she always thought of Coachella as a festival for true music lovers, a place to find exciting new artists. She added that performing at Coachella is incredibly important to the band and understandably makes them nervous.

Bini, a group that first gained attention on the ABS-CBN show “Star Hunt Academy,” released their first album in 2021. Inspired by the success of K-pop, they were trained with a focus on building a dedicated fanbase and deliver energetic performances across pop, club, and hip-hop genres.

In 2024, the band achieved viral success with their Latin-influenced TikTok song, “Pantropiko,” and made history as the first Filipino group to perform at KCON in Los Angeles. The following year, they played at the Peacock Theater, which would soon host the Oscars, and were met with huge support from the large Filipino community in Los Angeles.

The Philippines has a complex history with American pop culture, but it consistently produces impressive music. From established rock bands like Eraserheads to newer groups such as Cup of Joe and Lola Amour, Filipino artists are skilled, innovative, and deeply moving. And, of course, the country is famous for its love of karaoke.

Music

Our team has put together expert advice to help you make the most of Coachella, including how to get around, stay comfortable, and experience everything the festival has to offer.

Bini’s arrival as a Filipino group in the global music scene comes at a key moment. With American stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, and H.E.R. proudly showcasing their Filipino roots, and music festivals realizing there’s a wealth of unique sounds beyond K-pop, there’s growing interest in diverse musical influences.

Bini’s music is catchy, romantic, and has broad appeal. Their new EP, “Signals,” starts strong with the songs “Unang Kilig” and “Honey Honey,” which have a similar vibe to the music of artists like Sabrina Carpenter. But Bini isn’t just about catchy tunes; they also demonstrate creativity and range with songs like “First Luv,” a video portraying a confident same-sex romance, and the energetic rap track “Shagidi,” proving they’re a band with a lot of potential.

Maloi explained that because their platform is so large, it’s crucial to make everyone feel represented and involved. With a significant LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines, featuring well-known actors Klarisse de Guzman and Trina Rey in their music video was intentional. They hope this representation will inspire viewers and empower them to embrace their true selves and feelings.

Seeing groups like Blackpink absolutely kill it at Coachella, and watching legends like Bigbang come back to perform, really inspired me and showed them what they could achieve in the U.S. They’re already massive stars in Korea and have such a dedicated fanbase among Filipinos all over the world – they even switch seamlessly between Tagalog and English in their songs! But what struck me was how they realized a Coachella crowd was genuinely open to connecting with their roots and learning about where they come from, and I think they really wanted to share that.

Jhoanna explained that for Coachella, they really focused on every detail – from the music itself to how everything was organized, since they were heavily involved in the preparations. Being their first time performing at the festival, and with such a large audience, they were determined to make a strong impression and show the world that Filipino artists belong on that stage.

The band intentionally uses its performances to showcase Filipino culture. They feature clothing designed by local Filipino designers and include dancers from the Philippines’ best dance groups. During rehearsals for Coachella, it was clear this experienced group was focused on highlighting their unique cultural identity while still putting on the energetic pop show their fans love.

Music

From its start as a small desert festival, Coachella has grown into a huge influence on pop culture. Take a look back at some of its most memorable moments, including performances by Daft Punk and Beyoncé, the famous Coachella astronaut, and more.

While in Los Angeles for Coachella, the band is planning several performances and meetings to connect with more people in the U.S. music industry. They recently signed with The Team (previously known as the Wasserman Agency) and will be playing a show at the Grammy Museum on April 21st.

The members of Bini were excited to learn they share a connection – a feeling of community – with successful Filipino American artists. Bruno Mars’ hit song “APT,” which was inspired by a Korean drinking game, suggests he might also enjoy Bini’s song “Shagidi.” However, the group is especially hoping to meet a particular Filipina artist while at the Indio festival.

Gwen shared her excitement about Olivia Rodrigo, saying, “We’d love to meet her! We’re hoping we might be able to work with her on a song someday, or even just hang out and cook lumpia together.”

Read More

2026-04-09 13:32