On 19 February 2026, at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, Ashnikko pulled in an eager crowd for the UK leg of Smoochies Tour, a night that promised theatrical intensity and anthemic pop-rap energy.
Support came from rising artist Amelia Moore, whose set offered glimpses of genuine vocal power and an assured presence. Moore’s voice carried well across the room, and she moved with a confidence that suggested bigger stages are within reach. Too often, however, her performance teetered on the edge of uncertainty, her stagecraft not yet fully converted into the kind of assured charisma that Brixton demands. There were promising moments, but ultimately her set lacked the refined cohesion that turns potential into impact.
When Ashnikko finally hit the stage, the atmosphere charged, the room flickering to life with early numbers such as ‘Sticky Fingers’and ‘Working Bitch’. From the outset, her delivery was spirited and direct, the crowd responding with fervour to fan favourites and the newer cuts from Smoochies. Tracks including ‘She’s So Pretty,’ ‘Lip Smacker’ and ‘Skin Cleared’ translated well live, framed by tight production and a palpable interplay between artist and audience.
The mid-set saw shifts into deeper cuts like ‘Manners’ and ‘STUPID,’ which brought a rawer edge to the evening. Ashnikko’s engagement with the crowd was heartfelt, though at times her own energy seemed to ebb and flow, creating peaks that thrilled and lulls that slightly dulled the momentum.
Despite the electric highs of ‘Daisy’ and ‘I Want My Boyfriends to Kiss,’ the overall experience landed unevenly. What could have been a seamless showcase of stage prowess instead felt like a patchwork of brilliant sparks and tentative steps. In all, a three-star night – an ambitious performance that hinted at more but did not quite fulfil its promise.
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Words: Ross Mondon
Photographer: Sophie Vaughan