Katseye’s New “Pinky Up” Era Begins—Without Manon Bannerman at Coachella

Katseye has just dropped their latest single, “Pinky Up,” on April 9, 2026—timed perfectly to debut at Coachella the very next day. There’s a vibrant new energy in their music and visuals. But amid the flair and teacups, one glaring absence remains: original member Manon Bannerman. This is the start of a bold, new chapter for the group that’s making waves—and turning heads.

“Pinky Up” drops just ahead of festival stage debut

Released through HYBE and Geffen Records, Pinky Up signals Katseye’s arrival in full force. The song, heavy on hyperpop and EDM elements, dropped on April 9, 2026, just a day before the group’s debut performance at Coachella, scheduled for April 10 in Indio, California. Teasers in the days before the launch—like the Mona Lisa lifting a teacup with a pinky up, or an arcade claw machine tugging a sword from plush toys—built tension and visual intrigue. The cover art brings it home: someone kneels on a patterned carpet with a teacup, toy cat, and bold title lettering. The dramatic visuals and sonic bite combine to deliver something fresh and unmistakably intense.

The missing member: Manon Bannerman’s hiatus

Since February 2026, Manon Bannerman has been on a temporary hiatus to focus on her health and well-being, per joint statements from HYBE, Geffen, and the group itself. This is her first absence from a Katseye music video and release. Though her hiatus was announced over two months ago, the “Pinky Up” rollout makes her absence particularly visible—she doesn’t appear in the visuals or promotional material. HYBE has confirmed she won’t be joining the group’s Coachella performances on both April 10 and 17. Fans noted she removed Katseye from her Instagram bio earlier this month, although Manon’s recent public statements maintain she’s healthy and in positive communication with her label.

Where “Pinky Up” fits in Katseye’s trajectory

Katseye debuted in 2023 via the reality competition The Debut: Dream Academy, and since then they’ve released hits like “Gabriela,” “Gnarly,” “Gameboy,” and “Internet Girl.” Their EP Beautiful Chaos peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, while their social media presence and branding have only grown bigger—one campaign alone, for Gap, racked up over 400 million views in just a few days. Pinky Up promises hyper-energetic production, a mix of playful lyrics and avant-garde fashion, and looks like a sharp acceleration in the group’s pursuit of global mainstream dominance.

Fan reactions and speculation

Eyekons—Katseye’s fans—have had strong reactions to Manon’s absence. Some express disappointment that she’s sidelined; others worry about what her social media changes mean. Speculation has swirled: was there hope she’d return to perform at Coachella? Was her removal of group references in her bio a precursor to something more permanent? While HYBE continues to publicly state that her hiatus is temporary, the mixed signals have sparked rumors that could fuel narratives beyond health and recovery.

All of which makes “Pinky Up” feel like more than just a new single—it’s a statement. A bridge between what Katseye has been and what they’re rapidly becoming.

“One day, soon, the world’s gonna end / I’m gonna make out with my new bestest friends … up, up, pinky up … go hard like we’re robbin’ the Louvre … Mona Lisa with a cute attitude”—a lyric that exemplifies the release’s attitude: glamorous, fiery, unfiltered.

What comes next for the group

With Coachella on deck, the remaining five members—Yoonchae, Sophia, Lara, Megan, and Daniela—are expected to perform Pinky Up and other tracks live for a festival-sized audience. The group is also set to headline Head in the Clouds in Pasadena this August. Whether Manon returns for those stages remains uncertain. HYBE’s emphasis on her health suggests that, for now, the group will carry on without her in full capacity. In the meantime, “Pinky Up” serves as both anthem and indication: Katseye is evolving—and they intend to be heard.

In any case, “Pinky Up” doesn’t just drop—it lands. And without Manon, the message feels somehow sharper, more urgent. It’s a moment in motion.

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