'Filipinos deserve that stage': BINI to 'make an impression' at Coachella

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MANILA, Philippines — It was only a matter of time until a Filipino act would make it to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival line-up.

Finally on its 25th edition — having not being held in 2000, 2020 and 2021 — OPM will be ringing around the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, where the festival has put up stages once more.

BINI is set to be the very first P-Pop act to perform at Coachella, which the Los Angeles Times said in a feature may be following in the footsteps of K-pop's domination that also made waves at the event.

The outlet's writer August Brown recounted how the group's eight members — Stacey, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Mikha, Sheena, Jhoanna and Maloi — found out they'd be going to Coachella through social media reactions from fans.

"It's not the first time that a Filipino act has been able to step on a global stage, but we do feel that sense of responsibility as well, especially for Coachella," said Aiah with Colet adding, "It's a great responsibility for us, because we want to open the door to more Filipino art."

Maloi agreed that performing at Coachella is a "big deal" and "nerve-racking," having grown up believing the festival is for individuals who love and want to discover new music.

RELATED: BINI to grace Coachella's Mojave stage for historic performance

Brown dived into BINI's success since officially debuting in 2021 and noted how artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars and H.E.R. have all expressed pride for their Filipino heritage.

K-pop has no doubt been an inspiration for the Nation's Girl Group and Korean music has already stamped its name at Coachella. Numerous K-pop acts have done the festival, with Bigbang performing at this edition and Blackpink headlining in 2023.

And now Coachella offers an opportunity for BINI to introduce who they are and what they're all about.

"For Coachella, we became more intentional with everything — the music, the arrangements, we're involved," said group leader Jhoanna. "It's our first time here, it's a much bigger audience, so we want to make an impression and prove that Filipinos deserve to be on that stage."

Gwen did share that the group would very much like to meet Olivia at Coachella. The Filipino-American singer isn't in this year's line-up but she did make a surprise appearance in the 2024 edition for No Doubt's reunion show.

"Maybe we can collaborate with her with a song in the future, or just cook lumpia together," Gwen added.

Related: BINI performing at Grammy Museum after Coachella debut

BINI has been assigned to Coachella's Mojave stage — one of the festival's mid-size stages where electronic, indie and international artists perform.

The group will have a 45-minute set on April 10, Friday, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. That would be 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, in the Philippines where Filipinos can watch via livestream on Coachella's YouTube channel.

Sabrina Carpenter is the first day's headliner with Justin Bieber and Karol G closing out the remainder of the Coachella weekends.

Other performers to look out for on Day 1 are Disclosure, Dijon, Swae Lee, Sexyy Red, and the global girl group Katseye led by Filipina member Sophia Laforteza.

Because Katseye's performance is later in the evening on the larger Sahara stage, it remains a possibility for Sophia to watch or even join BINI's historic performance.

RELATED: Katseye's Manon skipping Coachella performance as hiatus continues