Trinkets, trinkets everywhere. On a warm Tuesday night, March 18, Ashnikko brought the SMOOCHIES Tour to a completely sold-out The Van Buren in Phoenix, kicking off the first night with chaotic energy and vibrant flair. Fans showed up in full force, decked out in colorful outfits, trading trinkets, and filling the venue with nonstop singing and dancing. The atmosphere felt more like a glittery hyperpop carnival.
Outside, a long line of fans of mostly girls in carefully curated outfits wrapped all the way around The Van Buren. The looks were clearly inspired by the mood board Ashnikko had posted on Instagram earlier, and seeing everyone actually bring it to life made the whole scene feel even more immersive. It’s the kind of energy you only get at a completely sold-out show, and this crowd absolutely delivered.
I’ve always loved when people fully dress up for concerts. It adds so much to the overall aesthetic and makes the experience way more fun. Walking through the venue trying to spot and photograph the best outfits, I kept getting stopped by people wanting to trade trinkets. Luckily, I had brought a few of my own, so I was able to join in on the exchanges, which honestly became one of the most memorable parts of the night.
Opening the night was Princess Nokia, who warmed up the crowd with an energetic set that perfectly matched the baddie vibe. By the time her set ended, the anticipation for Ashnikko was very much felt throughout the room. The lights suddenly cut to black, and the room erupted into screams. A single spotlight hit the center of the stage, a tiny door at the end of the runway straight out of Alice in Wonderland. For a second, I thought, “Wait… are we being taken to Wonderland?” Out crawled Ashnikko, a full theatrical entrance, sending the crowd into chaos. As she rose to her feet, the opening notes of “Sticky Fingers” blasted through the speakers and instantly ignited the room.
Once the lights came on, the full set design came into focus. The stage was by far the best, Alice’s in Wonderland-inspired world, complete with checkered flooring, and Victorian-style backdrops that made everything feel whimsical. The details tied perfectly into Ashnikko’s aesthetic, creating a storybook-meets-chaos vibe.
Ashnikko’s outfit matched the theme flawlessly. She wore a checkered mini dress paired with fishnets and white Converse, layered with custom faux boot covers made from the same patterned fabric. The look of the shoes were finished off with playful, oversized details, including a giant game die and a bright pink bow at the front, making her feel like a character who had stepped straight out of the set itself.
The night was nonstop singing and dancing, with Ashnikko turning the entire venue into something that felt closer to a rave than a typical concert. Her setlist didn’t miss and she pulled from across her EPs and albums, while also making sure to include the newest tracks from her latest LP, Smoochies.
One of the biggest highlights came when Princess Nokia returned to the stage to join Ashnikko for “Slumber Party.” The crowd instantly lost it, singing along to every word. It was one of those moments fans had clearly been hoping for, and seeing it actually happen live made it even more special.
By the end of the night, leaving The Van Buren felt like coming down from a fever dream in the best way. Ashnikko created a whole world that people actually stepped into, from the outfits to the trinket trading to the chaos on stage. Everyone walked out sweaty, a little glitter-covered, and some still buzzing.
