Thursday, April 23, 2026

Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Coran Browood

Katseye will perform at the 52nd American Music Awards on 25 May at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas, marking a major milestone for the rising girl group. The appearance comes as the ensemble has received three nominations at this year’s ceremony, including New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for their track “Gnarly,” and Breakthrough Pop Artist. The awards show will be broadcast live from 8 p.m. Eastern Time on both Paramount+ and CBS, providing Katseye a prominent stage to display their talents on one of the music industry’s largest platforms. The Las Vegas appearance follows the group’s acclaimed Coachella debut earlier this month, where they delivered an energetic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Exhibition and Award Acknowledgement

The Las Vegas appearance represents a pivotal moment in Katseye’s swiftly rising professional path. By obtaining a place at the American Music Awards, a cornerstone event in the music industry, the group has shown their growing prominence within the global music landscape. The 52nd edition of the awards will feature performances from leading artists in the field, making Katseye’s inclusion a indicator of their remarkable achievement and the progress they have made since their formation under Hybe and Geffen Records.

The three nominations the group has garnered underscore their broad appeal to both critics and audiences alike. Acknowledgement in the Emerging Artist of the Year category celebrates their innovative approach to pop music, whilst their nomination for Best Music Video for “Gnarly” showcases the imaginative direction underpinning their sonic output. The Breakthrough Pop Artist nomination further solidifies their standing as one of the year’s most exciting emerging acts, placing them among major industry figures at a event that will be viewed by millions worldwide.

  • Rising Artist of the Year nominated recognition
  • Outstanding Music Video accolade for “Gnarly” track
  • Breakthrough Pop Artist category recognition
  • Prime-time slot on CBS and Paramount+

Coachella Victory and Recent Developments

Katseye’s Las Vegas performance follows closely after a successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance earlier this month, where the group delivered a captivating five-piece set that highlighted their versatility and stage presence. The performance featured an impressive array of their body of work, featuring fan picks such as “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and “Internet Girl,” together with the energetic tracks “My Way” and “M.I.A.” The set concluded with their award-nominated single “Gnarly,” demonstrating the breadth of their artistic reach. The Coachella performance also included a live premiere of their new single “Pinky Up,” providing festival attendees an exclusive first listen to fresh material that underscores the group’s continued creative momentum.

The Californian desert festival performance represented a significant milestone for the emerging group, providing them with a high-profile stage to connect with numerous music enthusiasts and industry professionals. Their presence on the Coachella bill validated their status as one of the year’s most compelling new acts, establishing them amongst the festival’s diverse roster of established and emerging performers. The show generated considerable buzz across the music industry, laying the groundwork for their subsequent American Music Awards appearance. This trajectory spanning festival success to major awards show performance showcases Katseye’s swift rise across the competitive global music industry.

Manon Bannerman’s Hiatus

The Coachella performance notably took place without member Manon Bannerman, who announced a hiatus from the group in February through a joint statement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision marked a notable change for the ensemble, necessitating them to adapt their show setup for prominent events. Prior to the Coachella event, Bannerman addressed the situation via a WeVerse message, reassuring fans about her wellbeing. “HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported,” she wrote, emphasising that she remained “happy and healthy” throughout this time away from the group’s activities.

Hybe formally announced to the Korea Herald on 9 April that Bannerman would not participate in the Coachella performance, offering clarification regarding her non-attendance at the festival performance. The break was managed with professionalism by the artist and management alike, with Bannerman staying in touch with fans throughout the process. Her message conveyed optimism about future developments, indicating that discussions between her and the group’s representatives continue constructively. The band’s capacity to deliver a strong performance as a five-piece demonstrates their resilience and dedication to their creative responsibilities during this transitional period.

Competitive Standing and Industry Recognition

Artist Nominations
Taylor Swift 8
Sabrina Carpenter 7
Morgan Wallen 7
Olivia Dean 7
Sombr 7
Katseye 3

Katseye’s three nominations at the 52nd American Music Awards situate them among a competitive field of artists vying for recognition at one of the entertainment sector’s most prestigious ceremonies. Their nominations span Emerging Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for “Gnarly,” and Rising Pop Artist, acknowledging their rapid emergence as significant contributors to contemporary pop music. Taylor Swift dominates the nomination count with eight nods, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, whilst Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, and Sombr each secured seven nominations. As newcomers to the awards circuit, Katseye’s multiple nominations demonstrate the sector’s acknowledgement of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, marking them as contenders in categories that celebrate emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Rise in Mainstream Music

Katseye’s trajectory through the music industry has been notably quick, establishing themselves as one of the year’s most compelling new acts. Their Coachella appearance demonstrated the group’s capacity to dominate a festival stage with poise and professionalism, delivering a setlist that featured both established fan favourites and original tracks. The five-piece ensemble proved their versatility by effortlessly moving between vibrant pop numbers and more contemplative songs, captivating audiences with their energetic presence and refined vocal harmonies. Their performance of new single “Pinky Up” marked a significant moment for the group, indicating their continued evolution as artists.

The group’s upcoming Las Vegas performance at the American Music Awards marks another significant achievement in their rapidly expanding career. With three nominations at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already earned recognition from the music industry’s elite, validating their creative vision and commercial appeal. Their nomination for Breakthrough Pop Artist particularly underscores their position as a emerging powerhouse in contemporary pop music, whilst acknowledgement of their visually striking “Gnarly” music video demonstrates the comprehensive nature of their artistic work. As they prepare to perform on one of music’s largest platforms on 25 May, Katseye keeps building steam towards establishing themselves as a defining act of their generation.

  • Coachella premiere featured first live performance of “Pinky Up” with special guest spot from Huntr/x
  • Took the stage as five-piece after Manon Bannerman’s break from group activities
  • Setlist comprised “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and final song “Gnarly”
  • Three AMAs nominations acknowledge their rising prominence and musical achievements
  • Las Vegas show scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area