The rise of south-east Asia’s girl bands: ‘The talent and popularity were always here’

<p>Girl bands from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are going global with their fusion of traditional and modern sounds</p><p></p><p>“We all know that music is a universal language,” says Maloi Ricalde from Filipina girl band BINI, which mixes tropical pop with traditional songs, English with Tagalog, and silver knee highs with pastel colours.</p><p>“Incorporating Filipino language, Filipino culture, Filipino sound, into our music, it really gives identity and meaning to our music,” Ricalde tells the Guardian.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/sep/05/the-rise-of-south-east-asias-girl-bands-bini-no-na-4eve-dolla">Continue reading...</a>