The humid air outside the historic theatre did little to dampen the spirits of the crowd gathered for the highly anticipated Ashnikko performance. As fans filed into the Vancouver landmark, the atmosphere was thick with the kind of electric energy only a sold-out show can produce. Opening the evening with a high-energy set was Princess Nokia, setting a perfect tone for what was to follow during this stop of the SMOOCHIES Tour. It was clear from the moment the lights dimmed that this one would be a night to remember for everyone in attendance.
The show began with the sharp, rhythmic pulse of “Sticky Fingers”, immediately commanding the attention of every person inside Orpheum Theatre. It was a calculated and powerful opening that moved seamlessly into “Working Bitch”, a track that has become a staple of the performer’s live identity. The crowd response was instantaneous, with voices echoing back every lyric through the ornate hall. “Microplastics” followed, keeping the momentum high and showcasing the intricate production that defines this era of the artist’s career. By the time “She Is So Pretty” began to play, the energy in the room had shifted from simple excitement to a deep, collective immersion in the music. This early run of songs established a fast-paced narrative for the evening, proving that the night was designed to be a relentless journey through a diverse and challenging catalogue of sound.
As the night progressed, the middle section of the show delved into the heart of the latest thematic material. The performance of “Lip Smacker” and “Trinkets” allowed for a moment of stylistic exploration before the title-adjacent “Smoochie Girl” brought the focus back to the core of the current tour. Every song in this block felt like a necessary piece of a larger puzzle, building toward the emotional and sonic peaks found in tracks like “Skin Cleared”. The transition into the medley of “Toxic” and Invitation was a highlight for long-term followers, blending different eras of work into a singular, cohesive moment of live theatre. It was during this portion of the show that the sheer scale of the production became evident, as “Chichinya” and “Manners” pushed the boundaries of the venue’s acoustics. The audience remained locked in, hanging on every note as the night moved through its meticulously planned chapters.
The intensity reached a boiling point when the opening notes of “You Make Me Sick!” tore through the venue. This was followed by a heavy-hitting sequence featuring “STUPID” and “Tantrum”, two songs that ignited a massive response from the floor. The aggression and precision of these performances served as a stark contrast to the more melodic moments earlier in the night, highlighting the versatility that fans have come to expect. “Chokehold Cherry Python” and the title track “WEEDKILLER” further cemented this section of the night as the high-energy peak of the event. The industrial influences and sharp lyrical delivery provided a visceral experience that resonated throughout the historic building. For those tracking the evolution of the live show, this segment of the concert represented a bold statement of artistic intent and physical endurance.
Moving toward the final stretch of the evening, the atmosphere shifted once again to accommodate the dark, atmospheric tones of “Possession of a Weapon”. This led into a string of tracks, including “It Girl”, “Wet Like”, and “Full Frontal”, each contributing to a mounting sense of anticipation for the big hits yet to come. I “Want My Boyfriends to Kiss” and “Liquid” kept the crowd engaged, while “Itty Bitty” provided a brief but memorable spark before the arrival of one of the most famous songs in the entire repertoire. When the familiar sounds of “Slumber Party” began, the reaction was deafening, as thousands of fans joined in for a massive sing-along that filled the entire space. It was a communal moment that underscored the deep connection between the performer and the audience, making this particular stop on the tour feel incredibly intimate despite the grand scale of the theatre.
The night finally reached its inevitable and explosive conclusion with the performance of “Daisy”. As the twenty-fifth song on the exhaustive list, it served as the perfect closing statement for an evening defined by variety and intensity. The final notes lingered in the air long after the stage went dark, leaving the crowd in a state of collective awe at the sheer volume of music they had just experienced. From the opening notes to the final encore, the evening was a testament to the power of a well-crafted live performance. Those who were lucky enough to be in the building will surely remember this night as a definitive moment in the artist’s touring history. As the doors opened and the fans spilled back out onto the streets, the impact remained clear, marking a triumphant chapter in the ongoing story of a truly unique musical force.
