Rikas | Rotown | Rotterdam, The Netherlands
March 26, 2026
Photographed by Rosalie Martens
Gallery by Rosalie Martens
There are some shows where you can feel the atmosphere before the band even steps on stage, and Rikas in Rotterdam was definitely one of them. From the moment people started filling the venue, it was clear everyone was there for the exact same reason: to dance and completely let loose in the music for one night.
Rikas are a German band known for their catchy melodies and energetic live shows. The band consists of Samuel Baisch and Chris Ronge on guitar, Sascha Scherer on bass and keyboard, Ferdinand Hübner on drums, and all of the band members on vocals. Their mix of indie, funk and soul blend together in a way that feels effortless. They create songs that are impossible not to dance along to. One of their latest releases includes “Last Train of London,” a cover of Jeff Lynne’s ELO song that collected millions of views on social media. Following up their second album Soundtrack For A Movie That Has Not Been Written Yet (By the way: Best Album Title of the Year goes to…), Rikas is set to soon release a new EP titled Bedroom Tapes — a collection of old songs they wrote and recorded.
Before Rikas hit the stage, there was a beautiful and vulnerable set from Coos, a Dutch folk-pop artist. Together with Tinko, her guitarist, she performed a few songs which got the crowd’s energy going. She has a gorgeous, strong voice that really made the audience pay attention to the performance.
The moment the intro music started playing it was like I entered “de indische Waterlelies” from the Efteling, which is a Dutch fantasy-themed park. It had this dreamy, magical feeling to it that made me feel so warm. Everyone knew the band was about to come on stage and was already swaying to the intro song.
As soon as Rikas stepped on stage, the energy was immediately there. Starting the set with “We Had a Date” — one of their latest singles — was the perfect transition from the intro song to their set. A funky slow song, the mood was set for the show: lighthearted and full of joy. After the first song, someone in the crowd yelled “I like your tie” to Baisch, which immediately added to the fun and playful atmosphere of the night. After a few songs, “Party on the Rooftop” started playing where the crowd had to remember the three following words: “elevator,” “hot” and “refrigerator.” Somehow, hearing an entire room scream those three completely random words back at the band made perfect sense in the moment. It was chaotic and fun, the exact kind of thing that made the show feel so loose and carefree.
One of the standout moments of the night was the performance for the 2025 song “Just Like Ice Cream.” Scherer completely lost himself in the song, doing fun dances all over the stage and making everyone in the crowd laugh and cheer. It felt like one of those shows where there was barely any distance between the crowd and the band, where every little interaction mattered and made the room feel even warmer.
Another special moment came when the band performed an acoustic cover of “This Boy” by The Beatles. Before starting the song, Baisch shook hands with someone in the front row; it was such a small, but meaningful, moment that immediately made the room feel more connected. As they played the cover, the crowd watched in awe as they admired Rikas’s harmonies, their vocals overlapping one another in a perfect way. With a disco ball on the ceiling, the moment felt pure and like everyone in the room was sharing the same feeling for a few minutes.
The connection between all four members of the band was something that was consistent throughout the entire show. The members of Rikas constantly interacted with each other on stage, which made the performance feel so alive. What I especially loved was the attention they gave Hübner on drums. Often, drummers can fade into the background during a live show, but that was not the case here at all. The other members stood next to Hübner while they played guitar and danced beside him, making sure he was part of every moment. You could really tell that Rikas see themselves as a team, and that connection translated into the audience as well.
One of the best examples of this was during “Dr. Strangelife,” the only song Hübner has written. During the performance, Hübner was singing the song while also playing the drums, while the other members stood in front of him doing a fun choreography together. They stood still, played guitar, and moved their heads to the beat before ending with a perfectly synchronised dance where all three of them ran in place together.
Rikas had similar choreographed moments throughout the show, too. Sometimes, at the end or during a song, they would suddenly freeze for a few seconds before jumping straight into the next song. It made the performance feel playful and also a little theatrical without ever losing the natural energy in the room.
What made this show so special was not only the music, but also the feeling that came with it. Each member had their own moment to shine, but they also complemented each other perfectly as a group. You could see how much fun they were having on stage together, and that energy spread through the entire room.
It was one of those concerts where you suddenly realise halfway through that you have been smiling the entire time. Whether it was because of a funny interaction, a dance move or a quiet acoustic moment, there was always something happening that pulled you into the performance.
By the end of the night, it genuinely felt impossible to leave without a smile on your face. Whether you were thinking about your refrigerator, a hot summer day or an elevator ride to a party on a rooftop, Rikas created that kind of atmosphere where everyone could let go for a little while, dance with strangers, sing along and simply enjoy being in the moment.
Grab your ticker to see Rikas here.
Keep up with Rikas:
Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / Youtube
