"We live in a dystopian hellscape that denies us our basic human rights of clean air and water, a safe earth, health care... all the main things that a human kinda needs to be happy and to succeed in this world," says ASHNIKKO, who's at Boomtown Festival to offer an alternative – the whimsical, escapist land of Smoochie World. A mash-up of kitschy pantomime productions, Alice in Wonderland absurdism, and a gleeful rave, it's a gloriously optimistic hour of rebellious community, soundtracked by her equally hedonistic second album. "Being able to craft fantasy worlds is very hopeful. Within that, you can create your own little utopia, which can manifest itself in a real sense as well."

ASHNIKKO's early EPs and the 'Demidevil' mixtape pushed back against expectations of what a woman in the pop space could get away with, while their debut album, 'Weedkiller', was a brutalist concept album set in an apocalyptic landscape. They used that creation to wrestle with their own rage and tenderness. Released last October, 'Smoochies' is, according to ASHNIKKO, all about joy and mischief. There's also a whole lot of self-confidence. "I feel like trying to accept oneself while also commodifying their art is a hard one. It's been a lifelong journey, but I'm getting closer to something that feels comfortable."