Mark StefanosToday at Coachella, eight young women from the Philippines will etch their name into music history when they step onto the Mojave stage. BINI — Aiah, Colet, Gwen Jhoanna, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena and Stacey — becomes the first all-Filipino girl group and the first P-pop act ever to perform at the iconic festival, performing on Friday both weekends.
It’s an uncanny achievement for them. “Coachella was something we used to talk about, almost like a dream moment, where we asked each other, ‘What if one day?’,” leader Jhoanna says. “So, when it actually became real, there was a mix of disbelief and sincere gratitude. It’s one of those milestones that reminds us how powerful manifestation and hard work can be.”
Known as the “Nation’s Girl Group,” BINI crafts high-energy pop that fuses polished production, sharp choreography, and a sound that blends global pop with Filipino sensibilities — bright melodies, layered harmonies, and bilingual lyrics that move seamlessly between English and Tagalog. Tracks like “Pantropiko,” “Blink Twice,” and “Cherry On Top,” have sparked massive TikTok dance challenges, leading their catalog to surpass 2 billion global audio streams. With a fanbase of over 20 million followers across social platforms, BINI is moving on up, from a homegrown sensation to an international pop force.
Formed in 2019 through the Filipino network ABS-CBN’s idol training show “Star Hunt Academy,” the members spent years in intensive training before debuting in 2021. Early viral moments and steady releases built momentum, but 2023’s “Pantropiko” marked their explosive breakthrough. Since then, they have achieved a string of firsts: opening at KCON LA, selling out the 50,000-capacity Philippine Arena as the first Filipino act to do so on their BINIverse World Tour, and winning MTV EMA’s Best Asia Act, with many more accolades notched. Their world tour took them to stages across Asia, Europe, and North America, strengthening a devoted international fanbase called Blooms.
Their Coachella billing is especially meaningful in California, home to the largest Filipino American community in the U.S. Roughly 1.6–1.7 million Filipinos live in the state, about 38% of the entire U.S. Filipino population. The Los Angeles metro area alone is home to over 500,000 Filipino residents, representing the largest concentrations of Filipinos outside the Philippines.
This vibrant diaspora has long sustained cultural traditions through family, food, and a passion for music — from robust church choirs to heartfelt ballads crooned into Magic Mics at family parties that echo the Philippines’ deep love of song. BINI’s Coachella appearance will be a spark of Pinoy pride for the community, a rare moment of large-scale visibility reflecting a culture long present but often underrepresented on global stages.
BINI’s Indio debut comes a day after the release of their new EP Signals, a six-track project that captures those big-feel moments “before emotions are fully expressed.” Tracks range in flavor — lead single “Blush” bumps a tropical vibe, “Unang Kilig” (in English, “first thrill”) is a playful pop standard, while “Step Back” closes out the EP on a sultry hip-hop note. The project builds on their previous album Flames with more fluid bilingual storytelling and bold expression, shaped in part through work with international producers.
The release lands at the perfect moment. “Coachella represents a new chapter for us globally,” says Stacey, the groups lead dancer and rapper. “Signals reflects where we are artistically right now, and releasing it right before that stage feels like we’re introducing the world to the next version of BINI in real-time.”
We spoke with BINI ahead of their Mojave sets and performance at the GRAMMY Museum on April 21. They opened up about putting together an ultimate Coachella set, the creative heartbeat of Signals, their unbreakable sisterhood, and the message they hope to leave with both longtime Blooms and first-time listeners.
LA WEEKLY: Being the first Filipino group to perform at Coachella is huge. What does this moment mean for you and for P-pop and Filipino artists globally?
AIAH: It means everything. We carry this moment not just for ourselves, but for Filipino artists everywhere. We hope it shows that Filipino music has a place on the global stage, and that our language, our stories, and our culture can resonate far beyond the Philippines. It’s bigger than BINI!
Have you approached this set differently knowing it’s a lot of people’s first time seeing BINI live?
COLET: Definitely. We’ve been very intentional about creating a set that introduces who we are right away — showcasing our energy, our sound, and our identity. We want someone who’s never heard of BINI to walk away feeling like they get us. There’s a lot of thought put into pacing, transitions, and moments that feel instantly connecting.
What kind of experience are you building for the Mojave crowd? And what have rehearsal sessions been like?
GWEN: We want the Mojave tent to feel like a full-on BINI world with high energy, emotional moments, and a sense of connection even in a huge crowd. Rehearsals have been intense but really exciting. We’ve been pushing ourselves physically and creatively, fine-tuning every detail so that everything feels effortless on stage.
BINI (Courtesy of ABS-CBN Music)
Are there any songs off Signals you’re most excited to debut?
MALOI: We are excited to perform “Blush” for the first time at Coachella. It has wonderfully intricate choreography that we hope the audience will enjoy watching. Some songs will feel familiar yet new. There are songs that build slowly and then explode, which we think will translate really well live. Maybe a few surprises!
The new EP focuses on emotions “before they’re fully expressed.” How did that concept come together creatively?
MIKHA: We were really inspired by those quiet, in-between moments and feelings you don’t always say out loud right away. Creatively, we explored softer tones and lyrics that feel a little more introspective. It’s a different kind of vulnerability for us.
Was having the project blend English and Tagalog more fluidly a conscious move for global audiences?
JHOANNA: It was natural because that’s how we speak and express ourselves, so it felt authentic. At the same time, we wanted to show that language isn’t a barrier since it’s part of what makes the music richer. We love that people can connect emotionally even if they don’t understand every word.
How does Signals build on or differ from Flames in terms of identity and storytelling?
SHEENA: Flames had songs like “Infinity” and “Katabi” which were more subtle and reflective, while Signals, with “Blush” and “Step Back,” are more emotionally confident and expressive songs. We’d like to think of Signals as a continuation of Flames, in terms of the narrative of the songs in those EPs.
BINI (Courtesy of ABS-CBN Music)
How did working with international producers push your sound evolution from Flames?
COLET: It is always a great learning moment working with international producers. It opened our eyes — and ears — to things beyond our usual boundaries, creatively speaking. Working with international producers challenged us to experiment more with structure and even how we deliver vocals. It pushed us outside our comfort zone in a good way, while still keeping our identity intact. We’re fortunate that we have collaborative producers who allow us to learn and experiment.
When did it start to feel like things were truly going global?
MALOI: There wasn’t just one moment as it happened gradually. But performing outside the Philippines from our world tour last year, seeing fans from different countries singing along … that’s when it really hit us. It made everything feel real.
How has your relationship as a group evolved now that you’re on a global stage?
GWEN: We’ve become even closer now as a group because of the shared experiences that are unique to us. There’s a deeper level of trust now because we’re navigating bigger stages and bigger pressures together. We really rely on each other and our team.
When things get overwhelming, what keeps the group grounded?
STACEY: Each other, always. We remind ourselves why we started, and we try to stay present. Even small moments like laughing together backstage, enjoying meals together, help keep everything balanced.
What has the LA prep period been like and has it led to any fun bonding?
MIKHA: We’ve had a lot of long rehearsals, to random food runs, to integrating with LA culture, like trying to visit an amusement park, and somehow those always turn into inside jokes. There’s definitely a few phrases we keep repeating that only we understand now and when we look at each other, we get it.
How do you maintain individuality while presenting a unified identity?
JHOANNA: Over the years, we have learned to respect each other’s differences. Each of us has our own personality and strengths and this allows us to learn from each other. Instead of trying to blend that out, we highlight it. That’s what makes BINI feel complete.
BINI in Seattle on the BINIverse World Tour 2025 (David Lee, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
What would surprise your younger selves about where you are now?
SHEENA: Probably how far this dream has taken us in such a short time and how many people we’ve been able to reach. We knew then that we would be able to achieve our big dreams, Coachella included. But seeing it happen in 2026, with BINI barely five years old, is something of a pleasant surprise still. We are extremely grateful for this.
After Coachella, what’s the next milestone you’re dreaming about?
AIAH: We want to keep growing globally with doing more tours, more music, and more opportunities to connect with people everywhere. The dream just keeps expanding!
If someone discovers BINI for the first time at Coachella, what do you hope they take away?
COLET: We hope they feel our energy and sincerity. Even if they don’t know us yet, we want them to leave feeling something real and hopefully curious to learn more about who we are. We hope they discover that Filipino music is something that they can get into and discover, not just BINI’s music but the many talented Filipino artists out there as well.
What message do you want to send to Blooms as you debut on the world stage?
MALOI: To our Blooms, thank you for believing in us from the very beginning! Your untiring support and love is really what keeps us going. We are taking that love with us when we go on that stage! We hope to make you proud!
Follow BINI on Instagram @bini_ph, and catch their Coachella set live on YouTube at 4:15 p.m. (PDT), today, Friday, April 10, and in Manila, 7:15 a.m., Saturday, April 11.
BINI on the April 10, 2026 cover of LA Weekly. (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Music; cover design: Mark Stefanos)