As the sun set over Indio, California, on April 10, 2026, the Sahara stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival pulsed with anticipation and excitement. The crowd, buzzing with energy, was about to witness a debut that would quickly become one of the festival’s most talked-about moments: KATSEYE’s first-ever Coachella performance. For fans of the rising K-pop group, this wasn’t just another set—it was a milestone, a celebration, and a showcase of the global power of pop music, all rolled into one unforgettable night.
KATSEYE—comprising Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung—emerged on stage in a burst of color and charisma, their vibrant outfits echoing the playful chaos of their new single, “PINKY UP.” According to The Desert Sun, the Sahara stage was packed with festivalgoers eager to experience the group’s much-anticipated Coachella debut. The group wasted no time, launching into “PINKY UP” with infectious energy that had the crowd singing along from the very first chorus. The song, released earlier in the week, had already become a fan favorite, and the live performance only amplified its impact.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. In what Variety described as a “Golden” treat, the voices behind the fictional group HUNTR/X—EJAE (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey)—took the stage as special guests, joining KATSEYE for a show-stopping rendition of “Golden.” The song, originally featured in the Netflix animated movie sensation KPop Demon Hunters, has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The collaboration was a powerful moment of girl power and cross-genre celebration, drawing cheers from the packed audience and viewers tuning in to the YouTube livestream at home.
“We worked our asses off. We’ve had the door shut in our faces. We were told we were too little, too much,” Rei Ami told Variety, reflecting on the success and validation that “Golden” has brought to the group. For the fans in attendance, the performance was more than just a song—it was a testament to perseverance and the growing influence of Asian artists on the global stage.
The night’s setlist was a whirlwind tour through KATSEYE’s discography, showcasing both their biggest hits and their evolution as artists. Alongside “PINKY UP” and “Golden,” the group performed tracks like “Debut,” “Mean Girls,” “Touch,” “Gameboy,” “Internet Girl,” “Gabriela,” “My Way,” “M.I.A,” and “Gnarly.” Each song brought a new wave of excitement, with the crowd’s energy never flagging. “Gnarly,” co-written by Alice Longyu Gao, marked a special moment for the group, as it was their first song to hit the Billboard Hot 100 last year, followed closely by “Gabriela,” “Gameboy,” and “Internet Girl”—the latter debuting at No. 29 on the charts, according to Variety.
The group’s journey to Coachella has been nothing short of meteoric. KATSEYE first captured the public’s imagination as K-pop trainees competing in the 2023 reality competition series Dream Academy. Their story was further chronicled in the Netflix docuseries Popstar Academy: Katseye, which documented their rise from hopefuls to breakout performers. Their debut single “Debut” was aptly named, signaling the start of a new era in pop music. Since then, the quintet has released two EPs—2024’s SIS (Soft Is Strong) and 2025’s Beautiful Chaos—and has been nominated for major music awards, including a Grammy nod for Best New Artist and a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Gabriela.”
Their Coachella performance was also notable for the absence of Manon Bannerman, a founding member who took a temporary hiatus in late February 2026 to focus on her health and wellbeing. As reported by Billboard, the group has continued to perform as a quintet, including recent festival appearances in South America. While fans expressed their support and well wishes for Manon, the remaining members delivered a set brimming with passion and unity, proving that their bond—and their appeal—remains as strong as ever.
The performance of “Golden” with the HUNTR/X singers was a particularly emotional highlight. The song, written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, IDO, 24, and Teddy Park, has racked up an impressive array of accolades in less than a year. According to Variety, “Golden” won the Oscar for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe, the Critics Choice Award, and the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. It also spent eight non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, the longest run ever for a song by an animated act. “There’s finally validation. It’s long overdue,” Rei Ami shared with Variety, capturing the sense of triumph felt by so many in the crowd that night.
The music video for “PINKY UP,” which dropped just before the festival, was directed by Bardia Zeinali—known for his work with Kacey Musgraves and Troye Sivan—and produced by Roisín Moloney, who has collaborated with Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. The video and the live performance both mark a new chapter for KATSEYE as they continue to evolve their sound and style, even as they honor the roots that made them stars.
KATSEYE’s Coachella debut is just the beginning of a busy year for the group. Following their performances on April 10 and April 17 at the festival, they’re set to headline the 2026 Head In The Clouds and Hinterland Music festivals and perform at The Governors Ball. Their relentless touring schedule is a testament to their growing international fanbase and the demand for their electrifying live shows.
The opening night of Coachella 2026 featured a lineup that underscored the festival’s global reach, with Sabrina Carpenter headlining Friday and Justin Bieber set to take the main stage on Saturday night. Yet, for many in attendance, it was KATSEYE’s set—filled with high-octane choreography, surprise guests, and a string of chart-topping hits—that captured the spirit of the weekend.
As the lights dimmed and the final notes of “Gnarly” echoed across the desert, it was clear that KATSEYE had not only made their mark on Coachella, but also on the broader landscape of pop music. Their journey from reality show hopefuls to festival headliners is a story of resilience, talent, and the unbreakable bond between artists and their fans—a story that, judging by the crowd’s reaction, is far from over.