ALT-POP SUPERSTAR: THE MAXIMAL WORLD OF ASHNIKKO

A cult talent who has worked with Doja Cat, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, Ashnikko is now bringing her spectacular new show to London—and proving pop is at its best when it's weird. By Ali Shutler

- By Ali Shutler

Ashnikko is the alt-pop rising star whose twisted mashup 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."

It marks a new phase of popularity for an artist who, after years of building a reputation as a songwriter, is now busy crossing over to the mainstream. Ashnikko first came to attention with boisterous early tracks inspired by childhood heroes MIA, Gwen Stefani and Björk and had the likes of Charli, Miley Cyrus and Yungblud professing their fandom. The likes of Stupid, Working Bitch and Tantrum all went viral on TikTok. A bigger breakthrough came in 2020 when Ashnikko co-wrote Boss Bitch with Doja Cat; other writing credits included K-pop boy band Together X Tomorrow's hyperpop hit Frost.