Concert review: Ashnikko w/ Princess Nokia | 04.02.26, The Pageant (with photo gallery)

Photo of Ashnikko by Sevauna Stageman

The Pageant felt less like a concert venue and more like the inside of a chaotic, glitter-filled handbag for Ashnikko’s sold out Smoochies Tour. Fans were chaotically dressed head to toe in different knick knacks, looking straight from the bottom of a purse, perfectly fitting the vibe for the night.

Princess Nokia kicked things off with a set that was magnetic, filled with plenty of hair flips, and hardcore feminine energy. Opening with “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” she immediately locked into a confident, almost confrontational energy that carried through “Gossip Girl” and the mashup of “Matcha Cherry/Pink Bronco.” There’s something distinctly unfiltered about her and her performance style that captivated the eager crowd. “No Effort” had the crowd bouncing along without hesitation. By the time she hit “Harley Quinn,” it felt like the audience had fully adjusted to her world of punk and controlled chaos. As an opener, she perfectly set the tone for a night full of unapologetic feminine energy.

When the lights fell for Ashnikko’s set, everyone was looking side stage, eager for her to run out while vocals of her looking through her purse rang out. No one would’ve thought she would pop out of a small door built into a giant purse prop, instantly setting the show’s central motif: We’re at the bottom of her purse. It was perfectly aligned with her aesthetic. She launched straight into “Sticky Fingers,” setting a high-energy pace to the night. The purse theme kept weaving its way through the performance, explaining fans dressed like little trinkets and oddities. This was my first show where the audience was part of the show’s story line, and I absolutely loved it.

Between songs, she made it clear that St. Louis holds a special place for her, shouting out her love for the City Museum and getting a huge reaction. When she asked if everyone was loving the new second album, the roar from the audience was immediate. She took a moment to thank fans for sticking with her through all her shifts and about how they’ve helped her build this “smoochie world.”

“Smoochies” was a clear highlight, sending a wave of excitement through the room. Then came one of the night’s most memorable transitions. “I love a breakup song because somebody leaves your life and your tummy starts to soothe. Not mine, I’m shitting and farting up a storm. In my case, my skin cleared.” With that, she launched into “Skin Cleared,” turning humor into catharsis in a way only she can. She of course hit the nostalgia button to close the set. When the opening notes of older tracks “Slumber Party” and “Daisy,” the crowd absolutely lost it. It felt less like a finale and more like a victory lap that reminded everyone exactly why those songs became iconic in the first place. This show was a standalone in many ways that I absolutely adored. I hope artists take notes on Ashnikko’s incredible Smoochies World. | Sevauna Stageman