Despite performing with only four of their six members, the multinational girl group Katseye received a rapturous reception during their debut full concert in the UK. The O2 Arena audience maintained intense energy throughout the three-hour set, signaling the group’s status as a major pop force, currently ranking as the most-streamed act on YouTube UK.
The group, which formed in 2023 through the online reality competition The Debut: Dream Academy, is currently navigating the absence of members Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza. Both singers are on health-related hiatuses, leaving Megan Skiendiel, Yoonchae Jeong, Lara Raj, and Daniela Avanzini to carry the performance. While the stage felt emptier, the remaining members utilized high-octane choreography and bass-heavy anthems to maintain the show’s momentum.
Yoonchae Jeong, the group’s youngest member, addressed the crowd early on, asking if they were happy to see the band, while Megan Skiendiel and Lara Raj both expressed amazement at the volume and enthusiasm of the London fans. The concert, which marks the second stop on their Wildworld tour, saw fans displaying deep familiarity with the group’s routines and social media content.
The performance was not without its moments of tension. During the dance routine for the song “Gabriella,” Daniela Avanzini successfully executed a complex lift, drawing a cheer of relief from the crowd following a minor stage fall she experienced during the tour’s opening night in Dublin. She remained uninjured during that previous incident.
Katseye’s rise has been rapid since their formation by Hybe and Geffen. Trained under rigorous K-Pop standards, the group saw a breakout year in 2025 with tracks like “Gnarly” and the ballad “Gabriella.” Their London audience was notably young, with fans mirroring the group’s dance moves and some wearing bindis in tribute to Lara Raj’s heritage. One attendee even arrived dressed as a courgette, referencing the group’s song “Internet Girl.”
The group’s current personnel challenges began in February when Manon Bannerman announced a hiatus to focus on her health. This followed reports of the singer facing online racism and death threats, alongside fan concerns regarding the group’s demanding schedule. In April, Manon indicated she was in discussions with management. Subsequently, the group’s leader, Sophia Laforteza, also stepped back to prioritize her mental health, with her mother confirming the break is temporary and intended to ensure her long-term strength.
Such breaks are not uncommon in the industry; other artists like Itzy’s Lia and Illit’s Moka have also taken extended leaves for anxiety-related health concerns. To maintain the group’s sound, Katseye integrated Sophia’s pre-recorded vocals into tracks like “Pinky Up” and “Mean Girls,” while other members covered Manon’s parts.
Addressing recent online accusations of miming, the performance showcased the members’ live vocal capabilities, particularly during slower tracks like “Tonight I Might” and “My Way.” Lara Raj also performed a solo rendition of “unloveu,” a track she co-wrote, which highlighted the group’s musical depth beyond their pop hits.
The show concluded with a powerful performance of “Iconic By Mistake,” their response to online criticism, and a rock-infused remix of “Gnarly.” As the concert wrapped, Yoonchae promised the audience that this was not a final goodbye, assuring fans that the group would return. The Wildworld tour is scheduled to continue through the end of the year, with upcoming dates in Manchester and across Europe. The report also notes that as the band broadcast their music videos on the O2 Arena’s big screens, and the noise barely dipped for the next three hours, the audience erupted with screams even before the show began. The report also notes that are you happy to see us?” asked the band’s youngest member, Yoonchae Jeong, as if the answer hadn’t been obvious from the moment they appeared in a storm of laser lights and launched into the Brazilian funk workout of Hootie Frutti. The report also notes that literally,” marvelled Megan Skiendiel, i think you guys are our loudest crowd ever. The report also notes that such adulation – and scrutiny – has come quickly for Katseye. The report also notes that the South Korean entertainment company behind acts like BTS and Le Sserafim, and the US record label Geffen, home to Olivia Rodrigo and the Rolling Stones, the contest was created by Hybe. The report also notes that of the 120,000 who initially applied for the show, only six made it through. The report also notes that they had a breakout year in 2025, first with the hyperactive electro-skronk of their single Gnarly, then with its follow-up, a slinky ballad called Gabriela that highlighted Daniella’s Cuban-Venezuelan roots, trained under the rigorous K-Pop system. The report also notes that in London, their audience skewed young: The queue for pick and mix was longer than the one for the bar.
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