Manon Bannerman confirms Coachella absence amid ongoing hiatus

The global music scene has received confirmation that Manon Bannerman will not perform with KATSEYE at their highly anticipated Coachella sets on 10 and 17 April.

On Thursday, the management firm HYBE informed The Korea Herald that the 23-year-old musician remains on hiatus.

This follows an official announcement in February stating that the Switzerland-born performer would step back temporarily to focus on her health and wellbeing.

The group’s label expressed full support for her decision, though reps have not provided further comment.

The announcement coincides with the release of KATSEYE’s new single, "PINKY UP," which debuted on Thursday alongside a vibrant music video.

Notably, Bannerman is absent from the footage and recent promotional imagery, leaving the remaining five members—Yoonchae, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, and Megan—to lead the project.

Adding to fan speculation, Bannerman recently removed all references to the group from her Instagram bio. However, she shared a message on Weverse expressing gratitude for the "patience and kindness" shown by supporters and confirmed she is having "positive conversations" with management.

In a recent interview with NYLON, Bannerman touched upon the complexities of group dynamics, noting that members are not always on the "same page."

She emphasised that being in a group requires "good communication" and "picking your battles" for the sake of a shared goal.

As the group prepares for the California desert, many followers monitoring celebrity lifestyle trends remain hopeful for her eventual return.

For now, the "Gnarly" group continues its scheduled activities, navigating a pivotal professional moment during this high-profile festival season.