Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Bryon Yorcliff

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 rising 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 broadcast live 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 appearance comes after the group’s successful Coachella debut earlier this month, where they delivered an dynamic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Showcase and Award Acknowledgement

The Las Vegas appearance constitutes a pivotal moment in Katseye’s rapidly ascending career trajectory. By landing a spot at the AMAs, a cornerstone event in the music industry, the group has demonstrated their expanding influence within the worldwide music scene. The 52nd iteration of the awards will present performances from top-tier musicians, making Katseye’s presence a reflection of their remarkable achievement and the momentum they have built since their creation under their respective labels.

The three accolades the group has received underscore their multifaceted appeal to both industry critics and general audiences. Distinction in the New Artist of the Year category acknowledges their contemporary take to pop music, whilst their selection for Outstanding Music Video for “Gnarly” highlights the artistic vision underpinning their sonic output. The Rising Pop Artist nomination strengthens their status as one of the year’s most promising new talents, placing them among major industry figures at a ceremony that will be watched by millions globally.

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

Coachella Success and Recent Developments

Katseye’s Las Vegas performance comes on the heels of a successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance in recent weeks, where the group performed a captivating five-piece set that highlighted their range and command of the stage. The performance featured an extensive collection of their body of work, featuring fan picks such as “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and “Internet Girl,” alongside the high-energy songs “My Way” and “M.I.A.” The set concluded with their award-nominated single “Gnarly,” showcasing the breadth of their artistic reach. The Coachella appearance additionally featured a exclusive debut of their new single “Pinky Up,” providing festival attendees an early opportunity to hear to fresh material that reflects the group’s ongoing artistic development.

The Californian desert festival appearance represented a notable achievement for the rising group, giving them with a high-profile platform to connect with thousands of music enthusiasts and music industry figures. Their inclusion on the Coachella bill validated their status as one of the year’s most compelling new acts, establishing them among the festival’s varied lineup of established and rising artists. The performance created substantial excitement across the music industry, laying the groundwork for their subsequent American Music Awards appearance. This trajectory from festival triumph to major award show performance showcases Katseye’s rapid ascent across the highly competitive worldwide music sector.

Manon Bannerman’s Hiatus

The Coachella performance notably took place without member Manon Bannerman, who announced a hiatus from the group in February via a joint statement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision represented a significant development for the ensemble, requiring them to adjust their performance arrangements 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” during this stretch away from the group’s activities.

Hybe formally announced to the Korea Herald on 9 April that Bannerman would not participate in the Coachella show, offering clarification regarding her non-attendance at the festival performance. The break was managed professionally by both the artist and the management, with Bannerman staying in touch with supporters during this time. Her message conveyed optimism about future developments, suggesting that conversations between herself and the group’s representatives continue constructively. The band’s capacity to deliver a strong performance as a five-member unit showcases their resilience and dedication to their creative responsibilities 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 New 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, 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 sector’s acknowledgement of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, establishing them as contenders in categories that honour emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Rise in Popular Music

Katseye’s trajectory through the music industry has been remarkably swift, establishing themselves as one of the year’s strongest new acts. Their Coachella appearance demonstrated the group’s skill in commanding a festival stage with confidence and polish, delivering a setlist that showcased both established fan favourites and new songs. The quintet proved their versatility by seamlessly transitioning between upbeat pop anthems and more contemplative songs, captivating audiences with their dynamic energy and polished vocal arrangements. Their performance of single “Pinky Up” marked a important milestone for the group, signalling their continued evolution as artists.

The group’s upcoming Las Vegas appearance at the American Music Awards represents another milestone 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 market viability. Their recognition for Breakthrough Pop Artist especially highlights their status as a rising force in contemporary pop music, whilst recognition for their visually striking “Gnarly” music video showcases the broad scope of their artistic work. As they prepare to perform on one of music’s biggest stages on 25 May, Katseye keeps building steam towards establishing themselves as a signature force of their generation.

  • Coachella premiere 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 included “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and final song “Gnarly”
  • Multiple AMAs nominations acknowledge their breakthrough status and artistic accomplishments
  • Las Vegas performance scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area