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

Girl bands from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are going global with their fusion of traditional and modern sounds “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. “Incorporating Filipino language, Filipino culture, F