It was a magical night at Stage AE as all the smoochie girls, boys, and nonbinary baddies took over the North Shore to live their best lives with Ashnikko. Emerging from the digital ether as a blue haired powerhouse of the weird and wonderful, Ashnikko has officially solidified her status as a cult pop icon. The atmosphere was positivity electric for the latest sold-out stop of the Smoochies tour, a colourful celebration of her album that dropped to critical acclaim last year. Since the release of Smoochies, fans have been waiting for the chance to see how these glitchy, sugary sweet, impressively aggressive tracks would translate to a live setting. Pittsburgh showed up in full force to witness the evolution of an artist who refuses to fit into any singular box, with everyone dressed to the nines to commemorate such a special night.

Kicking off the night with refined spunk, googly eyes turned the early crowd into a cheering mass of neon and glitter. Her stage presence was so sleek and fluid, her long skirt making her float along the stage. The set was packed with emotion-driven alt-pop beats and ever so slightly distorted vocals that felt like a sugar rush in audio form. It was the perfect appetizer for the night, both playful and slightly unhinged.

Royal and the Serpent took the stage next and shifted the vibe into something much more raw. She brought so much emotion through her movements, contorting her body to match the jagged edges of her alt-pop jams. The lighting was incredibly moody, bathing the stage in deep purples and harsh reds that emphasized the vulnerability in her music. Every song felt like a shared secret, especially during the more downtempo moments. Her ability to transition from a whisper to a scream kept the crowd completely captivated from start to finish.

Ashnikko’s set began with neither a scream nor a whisper, but a journey through a cluttered purse straight into Wonderland, with Ashnikko crawling through a teeny tiny door which immediately made her feel larger than life. The entire set was straight out of every smoochie girls’ dreams, with lots of pastels, trinkets, 2 for 1 boyfriend sales, and even tasteful lobotomies, perfectly creating a twisted Wonderland experience. Ashnikko moved with grace, backed by two equally stunning dancers, telling a story not just through the music but also through beautifully precise movements. The production was top tier, with tons of props and lights making the otherwise stagnant stage feel as if it was constantly changing. Every detail was perfectly curated to match the aesthetic of the new era, making the entire set feel like a living extension of Ashnikko’s mind.

The setlist was a chaotically beautiful masterpiece, leaning heavily into the experimental sounds of Smoochies while still honoring the hits that started it all. The set started with the in your face “Sticky Fingers” before throwing it back to 2023 with “Working Bitch.” The airy “Lip Smacker” became an instant singalong. For “Trinkets,” the backup dancers transformed into a pair of crows, pairing the upbeat jam with flowy movements. Hearing all of the new tracks live revealed a layer of depth that only a massive sound system can truly capture. Bass heavy anthems had the floor shaking, but the crowd was even louder, screaming, dancing, and just living in the moment. Ashnikko’s vocals were crisp and punchy, cutting through the heavy synths with ease and so much personality. Whether she was rapping with frantic speed or hitting melodic hooks, her charisma remained the focal point of every single song.

The real magic of the night lived within the fans who packed Stage AE to its limits. Everyone was dressed immaculately in a sea of platform boots, handmade hats, and elaborate makeup that defied traditional beauty standards, all trying to be crowned the best smooch in town. It felt like a safe little community where everyone was encouraged to be their loudest, proudest, most authentic selves. Ashnikko made sure everyonefelt welcoming, chatting with the up-close fans between songs. There were a few 16th birthday celebrations, and Ashnikko made a point to wish them the best, and that being together that night was the best way to celebrate. There was a sense of belonging, a shared understanding that this space belongs to the misfits and the dreamers. Ashnikko has created something truly magical, well beyond just music. She has created a home for so many longing for their place in the world. And these concerts are like a big, beautiful family reunion.

May 12th, 2026