Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Elden Halwood

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 emerging girl group. The performance comes as the ensemble has earned 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 aired from 8 p.m. Eastern Time on both Paramount+ and CBS, providing Katseye a prime-time platform to display their talents on one of the music industry’s biggest stages. The Las Vegas performance follows the group’s acclaimed Coachella debut earlier this month, where they performed an energetic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Exhibition and Award Recognition

The Las Vegas performance represents a turning point in Katseye’s quickly climbing professional path. By obtaining a place at the AMAs, one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious ceremonies, the group has established their increasing visibility within the international music industry. The 52nd edition of the awards will showcase acts from some of the industry’s biggest names, making Katseye’s presence a indicator of their breakthrough success and the traction they have gained since their creation under Hybe and Geffen Records.

The three recognitions the group has received demonstrate their multifaceted appeal to both industry critics and general audiences. Recognition in the New Artist of the Year category celebrates their fresh approach to pop music, whilst their nomination for Best Music Video for “Gnarly” showcases the artistic vision underpinning their sonic output. The Rising Pop Artist nomination strengthens their standing as one of the year’s most promising new talents, ranking them with established acts at a awards show that will be watched by millions globally.

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

Coachella Victory and Recent Developments

Katseye’s Las Vegas show comes on the heels of a successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance earlier this month, where the group performed a captivating five-piece set that highlighted their versatility and stage presence. The performance featured an extensive collection of their catalogue, featuring fan favourites such as “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and “Internet Girl,” alongside the high-energy songs “My Way” and “M.I.A.” The set culminated with their award-nominated single “Gnarly,” showcasing the breadth of their artistic reach. The Coachella performance also included a exclusive debut of their latest track “Pinky Up,” providing festival attendees an exclusive first listen to fresh material that reflects the group’s continued creative momentum.

The California desert festival appearance represented a notable milestone for the emerging group, giving them with a high-profile stage to reach numerous music fans and industry professionals. Their inclusion on the Coachella lineup confirmed their status as one of the year’s most exciting breakthrough acts, establishing them among the festival’s diverse lineup of established and rising performers. The performance generated considerable excitement within the music industry, setting the stage for their following AMA performance. This path from festival success to major award show performance demonstrates Katseye’s rapid ascent across the highly competitive global music industry.

Manon Bannerman’s Break from Work

The Coachella performance notably occurred without member Manon Bannerman, who revealed a break from the group in February through a combined announcement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision represented a notable change for the ensemble, necessitating them to adapt their performance arrangements for prominent events. Prior to the Coachella festival, Bannerman discussed the situation via a WeVerse message, reassuring fans about her wellbeing. “HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported,” she wrote, noting that she remained “happy and healthy” throughout this time away from the group’s activities.

Hybe officially confirmed to the Korea Herald on 9 April that Bannerman would not take part in the Coachella performance, providing clarity regarding her non-attendance at the festival performance. The break was managed professionally by the artist and management alike, with Bannerman maintaining communication with fans throughout the process. Her message conveyed positive sentiment towards future developments, suggesting that discussions between her and the group’s representatives continue constructively. The band’s capacity to put on a strong show as a five-member unit showcases their resilience and dedication to their creative responsibilities throughout this transitional phase.

Competitive Standing and Sector Acknowledgement

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 position them amongst a competitive field of artists vying for recognition at one of the music industry’s most prestigious ceremonies. Their nominations span Emerging Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for “Gnarly,” and Breakthrough Pop Artist, acknowledging their swift rise as key players in 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. As newcomers to the awards circuit, Katseye’s multiple nominations reflect the sector’s acknowledgement of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, positioning them as contenders in categories that celebrate emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Emergence in Mainstream Music

Katseye’s progression through the music industry has been notably quick, cementing their status as one of the year’s most compelling new acts. Their recent Coachella performance demonstrated the group’s ability to command a festival stage with assurance and refinement, delivering a setlist that showcased both established fan favourites and fresh material. The five-piece ensemble proved their versatility by smoothly shifting between upbeat pop anthems and more introspective tracks, captivating audiences with their dynamic energy and sophisticated harmonies. Their performance of latest single “Pinky Up” marked a significant moment for the group, marking their continued evolution as artists.

The group’s upcoming Las Vegas appearance at the American Music Awards marks another significant achievement in their rapidly expanding career. With three nods at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already secured acknowledgement from the music industry’s elite, affirming their artistic direction 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 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 signature force of their generation.

  • Coachella premiere showcased first live performance of “Pinky Up” with guest appearance from Huntr/x
  • Took the stage as five-piece following Manon Bannerman’s hiatus from band commitments
  • Setlist comprised “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and closing track “Gnarly”
  • Three AMAs nominations acknowledge their rising prominence and artistic accomplishments
  • Las Vegas performance scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area