Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 13, 2026
Photo courtesy: BINI Facebook Page
Filipino music is taking over Japan this weekend as BINI, the country’s reigning girl group, makes its first appearance at Summer Sonic 2026, one of Asia’s most-watched music festivals.
The eight-member phenomenon – Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena plays two cities in three days. Osaka comes first, with a set on the Mountain Stage at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park on Friday, August 14.
BINI then moves to Tokyo for a Sunday, August 16 show at ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe. Fans in Japan who can’t make it to the venue will be able to catch the Tokyo set on WOWOW On Demand.
BINI isn’t the only Filipino name on this year’s bill. SB19 takes the stage in Tokyo on August 15, and singer-songwriter Ena Mori, who has Filipino roots, also joins the festival, giving the Philippines a rare three-act presence at an event celebrating its 25th year. The wider 2026 lineup includes The Strokes, David Byrne, and BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
For BINI, Japan is a quick detour rather than a final stop. The group is deep into its “Signals” world tour, having just wrapped shows across California, Hawaii, and Nevada before flying out for Summer Sonic. Once the Tokyo set ends, they head straight back across the Pacific for a run of Canadian and US dates, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Brooklyn, before August is out.
The festival booking lands in what’s already been a landmark year for the group.
BINI became the first all-Filipino girl group to play Coachella, followed by a performance at the GRAMMY Museum, and picked up the Global Force Award at the 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards, a run that’s kept the spotlight on P-pop’s rise well beyond the Philippines.
