Dexys Midnight Runners’ Kevin Rowland Disgusted That ‘Come On Eileen’ Played at Reform U.K. Conference

Dexys Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland has criticized Nigel Farage after the politician walked out to “Come On Eileen” before his Reform U.K. conference speech.

Farage was filmed walking to the stage following a brief delay, which was reportedly caused by security measures and protests, while Dexys played over the loudspeakers. The national conference took place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, the birthplace of Dexys Midnight Runners, from Sept. 3-5.

Rowland reacted strongly when he learned of the usage. “I, Kevin Rowland (the son of Irish immigrants) and the main songwriter of ‘Come On Eileen,’ am disgusted to learn that Nigel Farage has used our Dexys Midnight Runners’ song to make his entrance for his party conference speech,” he writes on the band’s socials. “Myself, and all of Dexys are passionately against Farage’s politics.”

The post included an image of a bus shelter poster featuring Farage alongside the headline “he blames migrants, so you don’t blame billionaires.”

Farage faces a criminal investigation over allegations that his party broke foreign funding laws following a recent broadcast by Channel 4 News, according to BBC reports. He has not yet responded to Rowland’s comments.

“Come On Eileen” spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart in 1982 and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 the following year.

Formed in 1978, Dexys Midnight Runners released three albums in the early-to-mid 1980s: Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980), Too-Rye-Ay (1982), and Don’t Stand Me Down (1985). Their 1980 single “Geno” gave the group their first U.K. No. 1.

Rowland later formed new bands, released solo music, and issued albums as Dexys.

The alternative rock act is currently on tour in the United Kingdom to support their new album, LOVE, released through a deal with Heavenly Recordings. Produced by Belfast musician and DJ David Holmes, it marks the first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since Don’t Stand Me Down.