Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Bryson Dawwell

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 group has received three nominations at this year’s event, 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 prominent stage to showcase their talents on one of the music industry’s biggest stages. The Las Vegas appearance comes after 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 showcase constitutes a pivotal moment in Katseye’s rapidly ascending career progression. By landing a spot at the AMAs, one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious ceremonies, the group has demonstrated their growing prominence within the international music industry. The 52nd edition of the awards will present performances from top-tier musicians, making Katseye’s inclusion a reflection of their significant breakthrough and the traction they have gained since their creation under their respective labels.

The three nominations the group has received highlight their broad appeal to critics and audiences in equal measure. Distinction in the Emerging Artist of the Year category acknowledges their innovative approach to pop music, whilst their nod in Outstanding Music Video for “Gnarly” underscores the artistic vision driving their sonic output. The Breakthrough Pop Artist selection further solidifies their position as one of the year’s most promising new talents, ranking them with established acts at a awards show that will be viewed by millions worldwide.

  • Rising Artist of the Year nomination recognition
  • Top Music Video award for “Gnarly” song
  • Rising Pop Artist category recognition
  • Primetime appearance on Paramount+ and CBS

Coachella Victory and Latest Advances

Katseye’s Las Vegas performance follows closely after a triumphant Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance earlier this month, where the group performed a compelling five-piece set that showcased their versatility and stage presence. The show 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 concluded with their award-nominated single “Gnarly,” demonstrating the breadth of their musical appeal. The Coachella appearance additionally featured a live premiere of their latest track “Pinky Up,” giving festival attendees an early opportunity to hear to fresh material that reflects the group’s continued creative momentum.

The Californian desert festival appearance marked a significant achievement for the emerging ensemble, providing them with a prominent stage to connect with thousands of music enthusiasts and music industry figures. Their inclusion on the Coachella lineup validated their position as one of the year’s most exciting new acts, placing them among the festival’s diverse roster of established and rising performers. The show created considerable buzz across the music community, setting the groundwork for their following AMA performance. This path from festival success to major award show performance showcases Katseye’s swift rise across the highly competitive global music industry.

Manon Bannerman’s Break from Work

The Coachella show notably occurred without member Manon Bannerman, who announced a hiatus from the group in February via a joint statement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision marked a significant development for the ensemble, necessitating them to adapt their show setup for major appearances. Prior to the Coachella event, Bannerman discussed the situation via a WeVerse message, updating 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 officially confirmed 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 both the artist and the management, with Bannerman staying in touch with fans during this time. Her message conveyed optimism about future developments, suggesting that conversations between herself and the group’s representatives remain productive. The band’s capacity to put on a strong show as a five-piece 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 position them amongst a competitive field of acts seeking 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 Rising 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, marking them as contenders in categories that honour emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Climb in Mainstream Music

Katseye’s rise through the music industry has been impressively rapid, positioning themselves as one of the year’s strongest new acts. Their latest Coachella set demonstrated the group’s skill in commanding a festival stage with poise and professionalism, delivering a setlist that showcased both established fan favourites and fresh material. The five-member group proved their versatility by smoothly shifting between vibrant pop numbers and more contemplative songs, captivating audiences with their dynamic energy and polished vocal arrangements. Their performance of new single “Pinky Up” marked a key moment for the group, signalling their further growth as artists.

The group’s forthcoming Las Vegas appearance at the American Music Awards marks another milestone in their rapidly expanding career. With three nods at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already earned recognition from the music industry’s elite, affirming their creative vision and commercial appeal. Their recognition for Breakthrough Pop Artist especially highlights their position as a rising force 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 biggest stages on 25 May, Katseye keeps building steam towards becoming 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 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 artistic accomplishments
  • Las Vegas performance set for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area