It’s been a whirlwind month for Aaron Rowe.
Just a couple weeks ago, the singer-songwriter from Dublin was out on tour with pop star Ed Sheeran, slated to hit shows in major American cities like Philly, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
Instead, Rowe saw the whole thing blow up, burning into a controversy that’s made news worldwide. Though it’s forced him to change some of his plans, it’s also helped bring attention to the very issue he and his fellow musicians were trying to discuss in the first place.
Most have likely followed the saga, but to recap it: In early September, Macklemore made “Free Palestine” comments on stage while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium; an eventual stop was to be Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, reportedly citing “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery,” pushed major venues to drop Macklemore, and they did. (Today, news is circulating that Sheeran’s shows at Gillette Stadium might be canceled anyhow.
On Sept. 15, Rowe — who’s essentially been mentored by Sheeran — quit the tour on his own, saying that he could not “allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide.” Other openers, Finneas, Beoga, and Lukas Graham, also quit the tour.
But, with small-club dates fit in between the shows he was set to play with Sheeran, Rowe now finds himself headlining venues and meeting audiences who’ve not only become fans of his music, but his beliefs as well.
Amid headlines and the drama, Rowe visited the nation’s capital on Sept. 20, filling DC9 and moving a crowd that was there in his full support, including people from his home country.
Sharing his impassioned songs and some color from his thus far memorable month in the USA, Rowe performed some of his most beloved tunes the evening of Sept. 20, including new single “Please Don’t Hate Me” and some of his earliest tracks, like “Hey Ma.”
Listen to Aaron Rowe’s premier EP from last year, Exodus:
The self-made musician cut his teeth playing pubs in Dublin, and after his recent tumultuous go with major stars at enormous venues, Rowe appeared right at home in the dark second-story music space.
Influenced by traditional Irish music and an array of UK singer-songwriters, Rowe showed himself to be an emotional performer, one with great reverence for Ireland and its traditional music, and he made sure to tell how each and every song of his was influenced and came to be.
Rowe was joined by Rónán Stewart, his fiddler accomplice who’s been with him in different bands, but even some of those in attendance had been in his presence before — he’d actually played the wedding for one couple in the room, and the warm reunion on stage made the night that much more meaningful for the artist and the fans on hand.
And it indeed became a special occasion, as Rowe revealed additional news to those in the room: in the wake of all that had happened, another well-known musician reached out to Rowe and locked him in as an opener for some of the dates on his current American tour.
Proud to share the development, Rowe was clearly elated to share that it wasn’t just anyone, but Dermot Kennedy — a fellow countryman.
Setlist
Forever Now
Please Don’t Hate Me
Talking With You
Painter
Drawing the Line
Hollywood Song
What’s Wrong
Cover?
John’s Song
Lose Lose
Hey Ma
Below are digital photos of Aaron Rowe along with the night’s opening act, Abigail Osborn, performing at DC9 in Washington DC the night of Sept. 20, 2026. All images copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Aaron Rowe
Abigail Osborn
