Katseye Set for Las Vegas Performance at American Music Awards

April 18, 2026 · Ivaara Halworth

Katseye will perform at the 52nd American Music Awards on 25 May at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas, representing 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, 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 Acknowledgement

The Las Vegas showcase represents a critical juncture in Katseye’s quickly climbing career trajectory. By obtaining a place at the American Music Awards, a cornerstone event in the music industry, the group has shown their increasing visibility within the international music industry. The 52nd iteration of the awards will feature performances from top-tier musicians, making Katseye’s inclusion a reflection of their significant breakthrough and the momentum they have built since their creation under their respective labels.

The three recognitions the group has earned underscore their diverse appeal to critics and audiences in equal measure. Acknowledgement in the New Artist of the Year category recognises their fresh approach to pop music, whilst their nod in Outstanding Music Video for “Gnarly” underscores the artistic vision accompanying their sonic output. The Breakthrough Pop Artist recognition reinforces their status as one of the year’s most promising new talents, positioning them alongside established acts at a event that will be seen by millions across the globe.

  • Emerging Artist of the Year nomination acknowledgement
  • Top Music Video award for “Gnarly” track
  • Breakthrough Pop Artist category nomination
  • Primetime appearance on CBS and Paramount+

Coachella Success and Latest Advances

Katseye’s Las Vegas show comes on the heels of a triumphant Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival appearance in recent weeks, where the group performed a captivating five-piece set that showcased their versatility and stage presence. The show featured an impressive array of their body of work, featuring fan picks 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 breadth of their musical appeal. The Coachella performance additionally featured a live premiere of their new single “Pinky Up,” giving festival attendees an exclusive first listen to fresh material that underscores the group’s ongoing artistic development.

The California desert festival performance marked a significant milestone for the rising ensemble, giving them with a prominent platform to connect with thousands of music fans and music industry figures. Their inclusion on the Coachella bill validated their status as one of the year’s most exciting new acts, placing them among the festival’s diverse roster of established and rising artists. The performance generated substantial buzz within the music industry, laying the groundwork for their subsequent American Music Awards performance. This trajectory spanning festival triumph to major award show appearance demonstrates Katseye’s swift rise within the highly competitive worldwide music sector.

Manon Bannerman’s Time Away

The Coachella performance notably took place without member Manon Bannerman, who revealed a break from the group in February via a joint statement from Hybe and Geffen Records. The decision marked a notable change for the group, necessitating them to adapt their performance arrangements for prominent events. 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 “in good spirits and well” throughout this 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, offering clarification regarding her absence from the festival set. The break was managed with professionalism by both the artist and the management, with Bannerman maintaining communication with fans during this time. Her message conveyed positive sentiment towards what lies ahead, indicating that discussions between her and the group’s representatives remain productive. The group’s ability to put on a strong show as a five-member unit demonstrates their resilience and commitment to their creative responsibilities during this transitional period.

Competition 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 situate them among 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, Top Music Video for “Gnarly,” and Rising Pop Artist, recognising their rapid emergence as key players in contemporary pop music. Taylor Swift dominates the nomination count with eight nods, including 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 industry’s recognition of their artistic merit and commercial appeal, establishing them as contenders in categories that celebrate emerging talent and innovation.

Katseye’s Emergence in Mainstream Music

Katseye’s trajectory through the music industry has been impressively rapid, positioning themselves as one of the year’s most captivating 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 new songs. The quintet proved their versatility by effortlessly moving between upbeat pop anthems and more introspective tracks, captivating audiences with their energetic presence and sophisticated harmonies. Their performance of single “Pinky Up” marked a important milestone for the group, indicating their continued evolution as artists.

The group’s forthcoming Las Vegas appearance at the American Music Awards represents another milestone in their rapidly expanding career. With three nods at the 52nd ceremony, Katseye has already secured recognition from the music industry’s establishment, validating their artistic direction and market viability. Their recognition for Breakthrough Pop Artist especially highlights their status as a rising force in contemporary pop music, whilst acknowledgement of their visually arresting “Gnarly” music video showcases the comprehensive nature of their creative output. 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 break from group activities
  • Setlist comprised “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Game Boy,” and closing track “Gnarly”
  • Multiple AMAs nominations recognise their breakthrough status and musical achievements
  • Las Vegas performance scheduled for 25 May at MGM Grand Garden Area