Ashnikko Sends You Smoochies From Boston

Head Smoochie Girl and electro-pop-punk pioneer Ashnikko stopped by a sold-out Roadrunner in Boston on May 16th. Fans of all ages wrapped the line around the block outside the venue. Many spent months carefully crafting their outfits inspired by the whimsical, freeing world Ashnikko has created throughout her career, especially in her newest album, Smoochies. It may have been the Met Gala a few weeks prior, but fans covered in bright blue hair, a plethora of trinkets, extravagant headpieces, and rhinestones gave the stars who walked that carpet a run for their money.

First up was Royal & The Serpent, who mesmerized the crowd with her bold and airy hyperpop songs. Her confidence burst onto the stage before she did, commanding all the attention in the room as she strutted onto a spinning disk in the center of the floor. Songs like "Bleed for It" and "overwhelmed" showcased her knack for blending bold instrumentation with catchy melodies. The lights flashed as she stared down the audience and executed a high-energy set, including the song "Wasteland," which is featured on the beloved Arcane League of Legends: Season Two Original Soundtrack. Fans put up their phone flashlights for the character Jinx and swayed to the beat. The singer shared that she would meet fans after the show before disappearing backstage.

The lights dimmed again, and fans released thunderous cheers. A pre-recorded audio blasted over the speakers and set the cheeky tone for the night. Ashnikko's voice narrated her rummaging through her purse before finding a tiny hole at the bottom. Suddenly, the singer crawled out from a miniature door on the stage in a silver metallic polka-dotted shirt, feathery blue striped skirt, pink fingerless gloves, lace kneepads, marching-band-style shoes, and a Britney Spears headset mic. She dove into the hypnotic track "Sticky Fingers" as two dancers appeared behind her. Together, they effortlessly executed dynamic choreography that emphasized her singular style of hard-hitting electro beats. She paused between songs to show her appreciation for her fans. She pointed out details of everyone's outfits, including a crows nest hat, a giant puppet of herself, and a painting a fan made of her in each era. She thanked everyone for taking the time to dress up, inspiring Boston to express themselves.

The ensemble incorporated giant papier-mâché props throughout the night, transporting the venue to a world reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, but with Ashnikko's signature bold, colorful aesthetic. During the fan-favorite track "Trinkets," her dancers appeared in crow masks with a treasure chest. They pulled out a 2-foot heart locket with a space for Ashnikko to fit her head into to sing the track, both a clever storytelling technique to highlight lyrics like "Am I just a crow? Looking for something shiny for my nest?," and a captivating visual fans couldn't take their eyes off of. Other props included a marquee, life-size paper-doll outfits Ashnikko used to play dress-up, 4-foot-tall makeup items, and more. Each detail immersed the venue deeper into the performance and wrapped them around Ashnikko's finger.

Her performance infused the venue with more energy, impossibly one-upping the song before. Tracks like "Tantrum," "You Make Me Sick!," and "Manners" from her early discography had the audience dancing and emphatically singing along. Ashnikko effortlessly weaved punchy moments with vulnerability, including when she strangled a look-alike dancer during the intimate track "It Girl."

Toward the end of the night, the singer brought up a fan on stage to crown as the official Boston Smoochie Girl of the night. Ashnikko created a spectacle of a live performance that also served as a meaningful way to encourage everyone to be unafraid to take up space or be labeled 'too much.' Make sure to catch Ashnikko live before the SMOOCHIES Tour ends in September. Buy tickets here. Catch Royal & The Serpent live in Boston for a headline performance this June.