Ashnikko Closes Out The Smoochies Tour With A Bang
Toronto, Ontario - May 19, 2026
On Tuesday night, experimental alt-pop artist Ashnikko brought the Smoochies universe to Toronto’s History and turned the venue into a space celebrating art, weirdness, and freedom of expression. Every fan who stepped foot into the venue was dressed up in a whimsical and wonderful outfit, expressing their interpretation of Ashnikko’s latest album, Smoochies, released October 17, 2025. The audience was a sea of bright fishnets, tulle, bold mismatched patterns, handmade headpieces, and trinkets galore. Whether they were decked out head-to-toe with handmade accessories or threw on some extra glitter, everyone showed up and was ready to dance all night long.
The night started with two powerhouse alternative dance pop sets from Googly Eyes, who released her latest EP, Paint Me Like One of Your Fav American Girls, on March 13, and Royal and the Serpent, who released her debut album Emptiness Is Godly on May 8. These two artists are ones to watch. Their music felt perfectly aligned with Ashnikko, and they both definitely left with new and devoted fans.
In between sets, the crowd’s energy did not let up, singing and dancing along to the pre-show playlist, and of course, everyone lost their minds when “Vroom Vroom” by Charli XCX played. By the time Ashnikko took the stage, the crowd was buzzing, and the energy in the room was off the rails.
Ashnikko’s show takes you into her Smoochies universe. The show is full of storytelling — self-referential and grotesque, all coated in the sugary sweet pop melodies of their music. It opens with Ashnikko appearing through a tiny door, a portal that she finds at the bottom of her purse. Crawling out onto the stage, they’re welcomed with a deafening applause and ecstatic fans who cannot contain their excitement as they get their first glimpse at her sparkling outfit and tinsel-laced blue hair, screaming along the words to “Sticky Fingers.”
Smoochies is a surreal, raunchy, absurd, and feminine sonic world that Ashnikko has turned into a tangible experience through their live show. Their set design is elaborate, switching out props and backdrop features throughout the set for additional flair to her already vibrant and high-energy performance. Joined onstage by two dancers, her choreography and stage presence is sexy, silly, and theatrical, while also carrying a sincere authenticity that shines through when speaking about her music and the appreciation she has for her fans.
After singing “Working Bitch” behind a DIY looking picture frame set piece, Ashnikko immediately started talking with the crowd, saying hi to fans in the front, complimenting their outfits and accessories, and talking about how unhinged this show was going to be since it was the last night of tour. The crowd could not wait as she introduced "Microplastics," already chanting the song name. Ashnikko had constant banter with their fans in the audience, but also very sweet, heartfelt exchanges throughout the night. The venue was a judgment-free zone, where everyone was celebrated for their weirdness.
While introducing “Skin Cleared,” she spoke about writing music to heal herself, her mom, and her grandma; and doing so has been “a real artistic mission for [her], and to share that with you all is [her] life’s goal.” They also played older songs like “Invitation” and “You Make Me Sick”, alongside hits like “STUPID,” and closing out the show with “Slumber Party” and “Daisy.” After seeing Smoochies come to life through this show and witnessing the joy and community in the audience, it’s clear that Ashnikko’s fans are locked in for life and that she has created something truly special through her music.
While the North American Smoochies tour has come to a close, you can catch Ashnikko at a handful of festivals and headline dates in Europe and the U.S. this summer, ahead of an Australian run this September. Learn more on the official website.
