Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Corin Lanman

Katseye are scheduled to perform at the 52nd American Music Awards on 25 May at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas, representing a significant moment for the emerging girl group. The appearance comes as the group has earned three nominations at this year’s event, such as 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 performance follows the group’s successful Coachella debut earlier this month, where they delivered an energetic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Showcase and Award Acknowledgement

The Las Vegas showcase marks a pivotal moment in Katseye’s rapidly ascending career trajectory. By securing a slot at the American Music Awards, a cornerstone event in the music industry, the group has established their expanding influence within the worldwide music scene. The 52nd iteration of the awards will present performances from some of the industry’s biggest names, making Katseye’s participation a testament to their breakthrough success and the progress they have made since their creation under Hybe and Geffen Records.

The three recognitions the group has earned demonstrate their diverse appeal to both critics and audiences alike. Distinction in the New Artist of the Year category acknowledges their fresh approach to pop music, whilst their selection for Outstanding Music Video for “Gnarly” showcases the creative vision underpinning their sonic output. The Breakthrough Pop Artist selection strengthens their standing as one of the year’s most compelling new acts, ranking them with major industry figures at a ceremony that will be viewed by millions worldwide.

  • Rising Artist of the Year nomination recognition
  • Top Music Video honour for “Gnarly” song
  • Emerging Pop Artist category acknowledgement
  • Prime-time performance on Paramount+ and CBS

Coachella Success and Recent Developments

Katseye’s Las Vegas show comes on the heels of a triumphant Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival debut in recent weeks, where the group delivered a captivating five-piece set that showcased their versatility and stage presence. The performance featured an impressive array of their catalogue, including fan picks such as “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and “Internet Girl,” alongside the energetic tracks “My Way” and “M.I.A.” The set culminated with their award-nominated single “Gnarly,” demonstrating the scope of their artistic reach. The Coachella appearance also included a live premiere of their new single “Pinky Up,” giving festival attendees an exclusive first listen new songs that reflects the group’s ongoing artistic development.

The Californian desert festival appearance represented a notable achievement for the rising ensemble, giving them with a prominent platform to reach thousands of music fans and music industry figures. Their inclusion on the Coachella lineup validated their position as one of the year’s most compelling new acts, establishing them amongst the festival’s varied lineup of established and emerging performers. The show generated considerable buzz across the music community, setting the stage for their following American Music Awards appearance. This path spanning festival success to major award show performance demonstrates Katseye’s swift rise within the highly competitive global music industry.

Manon Bannerman’s Time Away

The Coachella show notably occurred without member Manon Bannerman, who revealed a break from the group in February through a joint statement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision represented a significant development for the group, necessitating them to adjust their performance arrangements for prominent events. Prior to the Coachella event, Bannerman discussed the situation through 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 “in good spirits and well” throughout this time away from the group’s activities.

Hybe formally announced to the Korea Herald on 9 April that Bannerman would not take part in the Coachella performance, providing clarity regarding her absence from the festival set. 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 positive sentiment towards future developments, suggesting that conversations between herself and the group’s representatives continue constructively. The group’s ability to deliver a strong performance as a five-piece demonstrates their resilience and commitment to their artistic obligations throughout this transitional phase.

Competition 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 place them within a competitive field of acts seeking recognition at one of the entertainment sector’s most prestigious ceremonies. Their nominations span Emerging Artist of the Year, Top Music Video for “Gnarly,” and Breakthrough Pop Artist, acknowledging their rapid emergence as key players in contemporary pop music. Taylor Swift dominates the nomination count with eight nods, encompassing 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. Despite being newcomers to the awards circuit, Katseye’s multiple nominations demonstrate the industry’s recognition of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, establishing them as contenders in categories that honour emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Rise within the Music Industry

Katseye’s rise through the music industry has been impressively rapid, positioning themselves as one of the year’s strongest new acts. Their recent Coachella performance demonstrated the group’s skill in commanding a festival stage with assurance and refinement, delivering a setlist that presented both established fan favourites and fresh material. The five-piece ensemble proved their versatility by seamlessly transitioning between energetic pop tracks and more contemplative songs, captivating audiences with their vibrant stage presence and refined vocal harmonies. Their performance of single “Pinky Up” marked a key moment for the group, signalling their ongoing development as artists.

The group’s forthcoming Las Vegas appearance at the American Music Awards represents another milestone in their rapidly expanding career. With three nods at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already earned acknowledgement from the music industry’s elite, validating their artistic direction and commercial appeal. Their nomination for Breakthrough Pop Artist particularly underscores their status as a emerging powerhouse in contemporary pop music, whilst acknowledgement of their visually striking “Gnarly” music video demonstrates the broad scope of their creative output. 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-member ensemble following Manon Bannerman’s break from group activities
  • Setlist included “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and final song “Gnarly”
  • Multiple AMAs nominations acknowledge their rising prominence and musical achievements
  • Las Vegas performance scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area