SideKick

Rik Raats & Friends — Celebrating Friendship with Music

As music is most probably the most effective substance to cement the connection, over the last 45 years Rik has performed and dueted live on stage with an immense long list of musicians and singers. Renowned musicians, celebrities but also the sheriff's wife, the Pharmacy assistant and many other occasional singers.

'Rik & Friends' as an act is unstoppable musical joy. The audience becomes part of the act, and the crowd ends up as one family sharing the musical vibes.

'Rik Can Make Everyone Sing'

'I love to awaken the musical spirit that lives in almost everyone on this planet. My greatest teacher had a sticker on his briefcase saying 'Only the Angry Won't Sing'—I think it's partially true. Partially, because even in the darkest of places, I discovered great musical joy that brought light in devastating circumstances'

Brixton, London, UK — Margo's Bowie Handshake

Club Silly, London — April 8, 2026 A Touch Base with Family History

A Memorable Night

At the place where David Bowie was born, Margo Raats touched a bedrock of modern music with a one-of-a-kind Kept in Colour evocation.

The Margo Raats Kept in Colour Night Ensemble—Kristina Rhodes, Maddy Wholesome, Rik Raats and others—performed under the musical direction of Patch. Together they guided the audience on a musical journey through time, colours and oceanscapes, shared with those who truly resonate with that remarkable Margo vibe.

Many thanks to Jessica Lamb for her remarkable gift of helping diamonds in the rough polish themselves.

Margo Raats in the encore momentum with Rik after dueting One Day My Prince Will Come

The Blue Guitar

Rik's Blue Guitar. This Yamaha G-225 was purchased from Nadia Luyts (her student instrument back in the day) in 1984. It got painted blue when Rik Raats married Sofie Snels back in 1993. This instrument underwent many customizations, improvements, and repairs over the years, including a built-in Fishman Matrix pickup system and pre-amp. The dent in the left side, caused by Sofie, was purposely never repaired.

A Homesick Instrument

As flying with an instrument includes risks, this guitar rarely leaves California.