Imagine popping into your local pub for an evening of music and finding yourself watching a performance from one of Ireland’s rising singer-songwriters.
That’s exactly what happened at Skehan’s in Nunhead in September, when Aaron Rowe made a surprise appearance at the family-run pub.
For customers who happened to be there, it was another of those unexpected Skehan’s moments that make the pub’s live music scene so special. And perhaps the best part came after Aaron had finished performing.
Rather than heading straight off, he stayed at the pub, chatted with customers and settled in to enjoy the Irish trad music that followed.
Who Is Aaron Rowe?
Aaron Rowe is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician from Dublin who has been building a growing following since releasing his debut single, Hey Ma, in 2025.
The song was followed by singles including Talking with You and Lose Lose, establishing Aaron as one of the exciting new voices emerging from Ireland’s music scene.
His career has already taken him well beyond the pub circuit where he started out. He has performed alongside some major names and was due to appear as an opening act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in 2026 before withdrawing from the tour.
So, from Sheeran to Skehan’s was quite a change of setting.
From Sheeran to a Live Music Pub in Nunhead
There was something particularly fitting about Aaron’s appearance at Skehan’s.
This isn’t a conventional concert venue. It’s an independent neighbourhood pub where music is part of everyday life.
Customers might come in for a pint, dinner, a game of sport or simply to catch up with friends. Then a musician can pick up a guitar and suddenly the evening becomes something completely unexpected.
That’s one of the things that makes a live music pub different from a traditional concert venue.
There’s no huge stage or distance between performer and audience. Musicians are part of the room, and customers can experience the performance up close.
Aaron’s surprise appearance was a perfect example.
The Music Didn’t Stop When Aaron Finished
For Aaron, the evening at Skehan’s didn’t end when his set did.
He stayed on to listen to the Irish music that followed, chatting to people in the pub and enjoying the atmosphere.
For a pub like Skehan’s, that’s a lovely detail.
The musicians who perform here aren’t simply passing through to play a set and disappear. Music is part of the community that has grown around the pub, and musicians, regulars and visitors often end up sharing the same space.
Seeing a rising Dublin singer-songwriter staying on to enjoy the music after his own performance says quite a lot about the atmosphere at Skehan’s.
From Singer-Songwriter to Irish Trad Music
After Aaron’s performance, the evening moved naturally into the traditional music that regular customers know well.
Skehan’s Tuesday trad music sessions bring musicians together to play Irish and English traditional music in the relaxed surroundings of the pub.
It’s a very different experience from watching a major concert. There is a spontaneity to it, musicians can join in, and the music becomes part of the evening rather than a performance that exists separately from everything else happening around it.
For Aaron to stay and listen after his own appearance made the evening feel even more connected to the pub’s musical roots.
Why Musicians Feel at Home at Skehan’s
Skehan’s has live music six days a week, with traditional music, folk, jam sessions, rock’n’roll, karaoke and regular live gigs all forming part of the programme.
But the music is about more than filling a stage.
It’s about creating somewhere musicians want to play and customers want to spend time.
That might mean discovering a new band, joining a jam session, listening to an Irish trad session or simply finding yourself in the pub when a surprise guest happens to turn up.
And that’s exactly why stories like Aaron Rowe’s appearance are worth remembering.
You Never Know Who Might Turn Up
Skehan’s has already developed a reputation for unexpected musical appearances, with previous surprise performances including Kingfishr, The Pogues and The Scratch.
Aaron Rowe’s visit added another name to that growing list.
But what makes these appearances memorable isn’t simply the fact that a well-known or up-and-coming musician has played at the pub.
It’s the setting.
A local pub in Nunhead. A room full of customers. A musician performing just a few feet away. And then, when the set is over, everyone carries on with the evening.
In Aaron’s case, that meant staying to enjoy the trad music, chatting with customers and becoming part of the Skehan’s crowd for the rest of the evening.
That’s difficult to recreate anywhere else.
Looking for Live Music in South East London?
If you enjoy discovering live music, Irish music and trad music in a relaxed local setting, Skehan’s offers something different from the typical London music venue.
With music taking place throughout the week, you never quite know what you might hear – or who you might meet.
And as Aaron Rowe’s September appearance proved, sometimes a night at the local can turn into something rather more memorable.
After all, you never know who might turn up at Skehan’s.
FAQs
Who is Aaron Rowe?
Aaron Rowe is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician from Dublin. He released his debut single, Hey Ma, in 2025, followed by tracks including Talking with You and Lose Lose.
Did Aaron Rowe perform at Skehan’s?
Yes. Aaron Rowe made a surprise appearance at Skehan’s in Nunhead in September 2026, giving customers an unexpected evening of live music.
What happened after Aaron Rowe’s performance?
Rather than leaving immediately after his set, Aaron stayed at Skehan’s, chatted with customers and listened to the Irish trad music that followed.
Does Skehan’s have Irish music?
Yes. Irish and English traditional music form an important part of Skehan’s regular live music programme, alongside folk, jam sessions, rock’n’roll and other live performances.
Where can I find a live music pub in South East London?
Skehan’s in Nunhead is an independent family-run pub with live music six days a week. It is close to Peckham and Brockley and hosts a varied programme of traditional music, folk, jam sessions, rock and live gigs.