Dexys Midnight Runners' Kevin Rowland Slams Nigel Farage for Using 'Come On Eileen' at Political Event
Kevin Rowland expressed disgust that Nigel Farage used the band's hit song as his entrance music at the Reform U.K. conference. Rowland, the son of Irish immigrants, said he and all of Dexys are passionately against Farage's politics. The song played as Farage walked to the stage at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The controversial entrance occurred at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, the band's birthplace, during the party's September 3-5 conference. Rowland's rebuke accompanied a poster image accusing Farage of blaming migrants to shield billionaires.
"Come On Eileen" held the UK number one spot for four weeks in 1982 and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. The group is currently touring Britain supporting their new album "LOVE," their first under the Dexys name since 1985, produced by David Holmes.
This dispute could influence how politicians select rally music, as artists increasingly assert control over their work's cultural associations. The clash may also heighten public awareness of the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Farage's party, potentially affecting its mainstream appeal. Fans of the song might find their nostalgia politically charged, while the controversy could reinforce the divide between cultural figures and populist movements.