Ashnikko is the alt-pop rising star whose twisted mash-up of pop and dance is the perfect soundtrack to tumultuous, deranged times. Think Charli xcx running away with the Jim Rose Circus. Although, there is a sweetness to her ethos which belies the extremities to her persona, a belief in the power of unifying people. As Ashnikko puts it, in difficult times, simply getting fans to sing together is, “Such a liberating act, it’s proof they can’t break your spirit … Music needs to be something we consume together — when you sing with other people, you’re doing ritual magic.”
This is a liberating time for Ashnikko — real name Ashton Casey — having kicked off the cycle for her acclaimed recent second album Smoochies late last year by supporting Billie Eilish in arenas across Australia, someone she calls: “One of the best artists of our generation. I had a great time on those massive stages.” Duly inspired, the singer’s own headline tour is now underway, and is bringing maximalism and hedonism to a stage show which is equal parts freaky fairground attraction, scrappy school play and polished pop spectacular. The ambition behind it almost outstrips the actual venues: “My team are always on at me for building an arena show for theatres. I just love a creative challenge though.”
