Uncut Collective Media
Ashnikko’s “Smoochies” Tour Turns The Van Buren Into a Neon Playground
March 20, 2026 • by Phyoe Thaung
Ashnikko brought her “Smoochies” tour to The Van Buren on March 18, 2026, transforming the sold-out Phoenix stop into a vivid, maximalist pop experience. The set balanced fan favorites like “Slumber Party,” performed live alongside Princess Nokia, and “Daisy,” with newer material from Smoochies, showcasing the full scope of her evolving sound. From the outset, Ashnikko commanded the stage with a kinetic presence that sustained momentum throughout the night.
What unfolded was less a conventional concert and more a fully realized world built around the artist’s aesthetic. Fans, known as “Smoochies,” arrived in bold, expressive outfits that mirrored the energy onstage, contributing to a shared visual identity that extended beyond the performance itself. Interactive elements, including a custom hat contest and a trinket exchange station at the merch booth, blurred the line between audience and participant, reinforcing the communal nature of the show.
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The production leaned into theatricality without losing its sense of play. A small door positioned at center stage served as Ashnikko’s entrance point, with the artist emerging through it before launching directly into the set. Throughout the performance, dancers cycled props on and offstage while costume changes added a constant visual shift, keeping the pacing dynamic. The result was an immersive environment that felt carefully constructed yet chaotic in a way that suited Ashnikko’s artistic identity.
Despite the Van Buren’s mid-sized capacity, the atmosphere felt notably close-knit. The crowd fed off the performance’s intensity, creating a feedback loop of energy that rarely let up. Moments like these underscored the broader appeal of live music, not just as a way to hear songs in a new setting, but as a space for collective expression and connection.
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Ashnikko’s Phoenix stop highlighted an artist operating with a clear sense of vision and control, delivering a show that feels as much about world-building as it is about performance. It is the kind of live experience that suggests a trajectory toward even larger stages, while still maintaining the distinct personality that has defined her rise.
