Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Elyn Storton

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 rising girl group. The appearance comes as the ensemble has received three nominations at this year’s ceremony, 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, giving 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 acclaimed Coachella debut earlier this month, where they performed an dynamic five-piece performance.

Las Vegas Showcase and Award Recognition

The Las Vegas appearance constitutes a pivotal moment in Katseye’s swiftly rising professional path. By securing a slot at the AMAs, a cornerstone event in the music industry, the group has demonstrated their growing prominence within the global music landscape. The 52nd iteration of the awards will feature performances from top-tier musicians, making Katseye’s presence a indicator of their breakthrough success and the momentum they have built since their formation under Hybe and Geffen Records.

The three recognitions the group has garnered highlight their broad appeal to critics and audiences in equal measure. Distinction in the New Artist of the Year category celebrates their contemporary take to pop music, whilst their nod in Outstanding Music Video for “Gnarly” underscores the imaginative direction underpinning their sonic output. The Rising Pop Artist selection reinforces their position as one of the year’s most promising new talents, placing them among established acts at a ceremony that will be watched by millions globally.

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

Coachella Victory and Recent Developments

Katseye’s Las Vegas performance follows closely after a successful Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance in recent weeks, where the group performed a compelling five-piece set that highlighted their range and command of the stage. The show included an extensive collection of their catalogue, including fan favourites 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 breadth of their musical appeal. The Coachella performance additionally featured a live premiere of their latest track “Pinky Up,” giving festival attendees an exclusive first listen to fresh material that reflects the group’s ongoing artistic development.

The California desert festival appearance marked a notable achievement for the emerging group, giving them with a prominent stage to connect with numerous music fans and music industry figures. Their presence on the Coachella lineup validated their position as one of the year’s most exciting new acts, placing them among the festival’s diverse lineup of established and rising performers. The performance created considerable buzz within the music community, laying the groundwork for their following AMA appearance. This trajectory spanning festival success to major awards show performance demonstrates Katseye’s rapid ascent across the competitive worldwide music sector.

Manon Bannerman’s Break from Work

The Coachella show notably took place without member Manon Bannerman, who announced a break from the group in February through a combined announcement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision represented a significant development for the ensemble, necessitating them to adapt their performance arrangements for major appearances. 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, noting that she remained “in good spirits and well” 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 take part in the Coachella show, providing clarity regarding her absence from the festival performance. The hiatus has been handled with professionalism by both the artist and the management, with Bannerman staying in touch with supporters throughout the process. Her message conveyed positive sentiment towards future developments, suggesting that discussions between her and the group’s representatives remain productive. The group’s ability to deliver a strong performance as a five-member unit demonstrates 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 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 rapid emergence as major forces within 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 demonstrate the industry’s recognition of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, marking them as contenders in categories that celebrate 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 latest Coachella set demonstrated the group’s skill in commanding a festival stage with poise and professionalism, delivering a setlist that presented both established fan favourites and new songs. The quintet proved their versatility by effortlessly moving between vibrant pop numbers and more contemplative songs, captivating audiences with their dynamic energy and sophisticated harmonies. Their performance of single “Pinky Up” marked a key moment for the group, signalling their further growth as artists.

The group’s forthcoming Las Vegas performance at the American Music Awards marks another significant achievement in their burgeoning career. With three nominations at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already earned recognition from the music industry’s establishment, validating their artistic direction and commercial appeal. Their nomination for Breakthrough Pop Artist especially highlights their position as a rising force in contemporary pop music, whilst acknowledgement of their visually arresting “Gnarly” music video demonstrates the broad scope of their artistic work. As they prepare to perform on one of music’s largest platforms on 25 May, Katseye keeps building steam towards becoming a defining act of their generation.

  • Coachella debut featured live premiere of “Pinky Up” with guest appearance from Huntr/x
  • Took the stage as five-piece after Manon Bannerman’s break from band commitments
  • Setlist comprised “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and final song “Gnarly”
  • Three AMAs nominations recognise their breakthrough status and musical achievements
  • Las Vegas performance scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area