Coachella 2026: Katseye Stuns with Surprise ‘Golden’ Collaboration
The desert heat at Coachella 2026 was already palpable on Friday night, but things reached a fever pitch at the Sahara stage. Fans of the global sensation Katseye were treated to an unexpected crossover when the group invited the voices behind the fictional band Huntr/x to join them. Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who famously provided the singing voices for the Oscar-winning animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” stepped out to join Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung. It was a high-energy rendition of “Golden” that had the crowd absolutely buzzing, though notably, Manon Bannerman remained absent as she continues her hiatus from the group which began back in February.
While the appearance felt like a spontaneous burst of magic, the internet had already done its detective work. Sharp-eyed fans had been buzzing all Friday, circulating TikTok footage that caught the two groups in the middle of a soundcheck, essentially spoiling the surprise before the sun even went down. Still, seeing it materialize in person was a different experience entirely. Honestly, the chemistry between the performers felt incredibly organic, especially considering the parallel paths both groups have walked. With their shared roots in the streaming world—Katseye through their Netflix docuseries “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” and the “KPop Demon Hunters” crew via their record-breaking June 2025 project—it was a logical pairing that resonated deeply with the audience.
The collaboration felt like a genuine celebration of modern pop culture.
Looking at the trajectory of these artists, the stage presence at Coachella makes perfect sense. “KPop Demon Hunters” has become a cultural juggernaut, having secured both the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song accolades at the 98th Academy Awards. Meanwhile, Katseye continues to cement their status in the music industry. Since their debut, they have churned out hits like “Debut,” “Gnarly,” “Gabriela,” and “Touch,” earning themselves nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 Grammys. US News Hub Misryoum confirmed that while this set was a highlight for many, the group is already gearing up to do it all over again next Friday, where they are slated to perform before headliner Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage.