Thursday, April 23, 2026

Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Kalan Storworth

Katseye will perform at the 52nd American Music Awards on 25 May at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas, marking a significant moment for the emerging girl group. The appearance comes as the group has received 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 aired from 8 p.m. Eastern Time on both Paramount+ and CBS, providing Katseye a prominent stage to showcase 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 performed an energetic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Showcase and Award Recognition

The Las Vegas appearance constitutes a pivotal moment in Katseye’s quickly climbing career trajectory. By obtaining a place at the American Music Awards, among the entertainment world’s most esteemed events, the group has shown their growing prominence within the international music industry. The 52nd iteration of the awards will present performances from top-tier musicians, making Katseye’s participation a testament to their breakthrough success and the momentum they have built since their creation under Hybe and Geffen Records.

The three nominations the group has received demonstrate their multifaceted appeal to both critics and audiences alike. Distinction in the Emerging Artist of the Year category recognises their contemporary take to pop music, whilst their nod in Best Music Video for “Gnarly” underscores the creative vision driving their sonic output. The Breakthrough Pop Artist nomination further solidifies their position as one of the year’s most exciting emerging acts, positioning them alongside major industry figures at a event that will be watched by millions globally.

  • Emerging Artist of the Year nominated recognition
  • Top Music Video accolade for “Gnarly” song
  • Emerging Pop Artist category nomination
  • Prime-time slot on Paramount+ and CBS

Coachella Victory and Latest Advances

Katseye’s Las Vegas show follows closely after a successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance in recent weeks, where the group delivered a compelling five-piece set that highlighted their versatility and stage presence. The show featured an extensive collection of their catalogue, including fan favourites 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,” showcasing the scope of their artistic reach. The Coachella appearance also included a exclusive debut of their new single “Pinky Up,” providing festival attendees an early opportunity to hear new songs that reflects the group’s continued creative momentum.

The Californian desert festival appearance marked a notable achievement for the emerging group, providing them with a high-profile platform to reach numerous music fans and music industry figures. Their inclusion on the Coachella lineup confirmed their status as one of the year’s most compelling new acts, establishing them among the festival’s varied lineup of established and emerging artists. The performance generated substantial excitement within the music industry, laying the groundwork for their subsequent AMA performance. This path spanning festival triumph to major awards show performance demonstrates Katseye’s swift rise within the competitive worldwide music sector.

Manon Bannerman’s Break from Work

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, requiring them to adapt their show setup for major appearances. Prior to the Coachella event, Bannerman addressed the situation through a WeVerse message, reassuring fans about her wellbeing. “HxG and I are engaging in constructive dialogue and I feel supported,” she wrote, emphasising that she remained “happy and healthy” during this period of 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 positive sentiment towards future developments, suggesting that discussions between her and the group’s representatives remain productive. The band’s capacity to put on a strong show 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 situate them among a competitive field of artists vying for recognition at one of the music industry’s most prestigious ceremonies. Their nominations span New Artist of the Year, Top Music Video for “Gnarly,” and Breakthrough Pop Artist, acknowledging their swift rise as significant contributors to contemporary pop music. Taylor Swift leads 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 reflect 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 Emergence in Mainstream Music

Katseye’s rise through the music industry has been impressively rapid, positioning themselves as one of the year’s most captivating new acts. Their Coachella appearance demonstrated the group’s ability to command 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 smoothly shifting between energetic pop tracks and more introspective tracks, captivating audiences with their energetic presence and refined vocal harmonies. Their performance of single “Pinky Up” marked a key moment for the group, signalling their continued evolution as artists.

The group’s upcoming Las Vegas performance at the American Music Awards represents another milestone in their burgeoning career. With three nods at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already earned recognition from the music industry’s establishment, affirming their creative vision and commercial appeal. Their nomination for Breakthrough Pop Artist particularly underscores their position as a rising force in modern pop, whilst recognition for their visually striking “Gnarly” music video showcases 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 debut showcased live premiere of “Pinky Up” with guest appearance from Huntr/x
  • Performed as five-member ensemble following Manon Bannerman’s hiatus from group activities
  • Setlist comprised “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and final song “Gnarly”
  • Multiple AMAs nominations recognise their breakthrough status and artistic accomplishments
  • Las Vegas performance set for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area